By W. Scott Lamb, A Christian Manifesto.
Evan Wolfson and Mark Oppenheimer
For many years prior to Friday’s landmark Obergefell v. Hodges decision by SCOTUS, people on both sides of the same-sex marriage discussion have debated the religious liberty consequences such a decision might bring.
How long would it take before same-sex marriage proponents moved on from Obergefell and declared battle against sexual-orientation based discrimination in housing and employment? And, how quickly would they draw religious institutions into their cross hairs?
Less than 24 hours.
Taking aim #1: Evan Wolfson
In Saturday’s New York Times, Wolfson, the founder and president of Freedom to Marry—and a chief architect of the political and cultural strategy for same-sex marriage, asked, “What’s Next in the Fight for Gay Equality?”
His answer:
“Securing protections from discrimination for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans needs to be our priority. In too many parts of the country, people can still be fired, evicted, refused service or even humiliated at stores or restaurants because of their sexual orientation or gender identity — in other words, just for being who they are.”
And to make things very clear, Wolfson knows that his opponent is not just a small business owner who chooses not to hire a homosexual or the owner of a duplex who decides she does not want a gay couple renting the other unit. No, Wolfson knows that the bigger giants needing to be slain, in his estimation, are all the religious institutions who would block employment or residency based on sexual orientation. For example a Christian school or college—of which there are tens of thousands in the United States—who would not hire a gay or lesbian teacher. Or the hundreds of thousands of churches who would never give the first consideration to hiring an openly homosexual person as a minister.
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This decision does not protect churches that don’t perform same-sex weddings, so the big fight will be over tax exempt status. And most smaller churches that can’t afford to fight, are sitting ducks for the gay lobby.
From the Houston Chronicle, June 28, 2015, article by Mike Tolson:
“Although evangelical leaders howled in protest over Friday’s ruling, they cannot claim to speak for most Christians. By 2011, polling showed that a majority of self-identified Christians support same-sex marriage. That number will only increase, as younger generations accustomed to a diverse world replace the older Americans who form the bulk of opposition.
[Pastor] Turney envisions a day when sexual orientation no longer divides congregations, or is even a serious topic of discussion.
‘We’re not there yet,’ he said. ‘Sooner or later we will be.'”
Not sure what your point is Scott…..I would guess the majority of people who would “self-idnetify as a Chrisitian” have no actual idea what being one means.
It means you’ve already lost. A generation from now people will scratch their heads about your opposition and you’ll otherwise be forgotten.
You’re confused about who has lost. And he will not be forgotten by the one person who matters.
I have a feeling, Scott….that you have no idea the reality of being “lost.” I have “lost” nothing, for if one gains the world and loses their soul, it is meaningless. Also, to suffer is gain…not loss. And believe me, I have no concern what people of this world, this generation or the next, think of my convictions. The kingdom is not of this world and we should not expect to be accepted or held up by this world…if we are, we are probably doing something very wrong.
Recently one of my fellow church members who is retired made a comment to me that surprised me: “In 20 years people will look back and wonder what the big deal was all about.” I was surprised that someone from his generation thinks the same way as most of younger church members.
I agree with him. For many of my fellow Christians this is a non-issue. In time it be a non-issue with most of America/Christians.
A non-issue with most of America/Christians — I agree the trend is in that direction. But of course you’re aware that truth is not whatever the majority decides. In 20 years, same-sex marriage may be a non-issue for 99.9999% of Christians. Maybe 100%. But it will still be wrong.
Just like woman ministers, human slaves, stoning, ?
Well Said!! Same sex marriage is still wrong regardless of how many years pass.