Presbyterians Embrace Gay Marriage
The tide is turning in the debate over gay marriage. America’s largest Presbyterian denomination has changed its constitution to allow for a more inclusive definition of marriage, describing it as a union “between two people.”
“So many families headed by LGBTQ couples have been waiting for decades to enter this space created for their families within their church communities,” said the Rev. Robin White, co-moderator of the LGBT advocacy group More Light Presbyterians.
In a world where bakers are forced to bake cakes and political battles wage over which groups gets to enforce their morality through the law, it is refreshing to see reform come to such an institution without threat of force or political theater.
Of course, not all Presbyterians agree, in fact hundreds of parishes have left the denomination in recent years due to its growing openness towards the LGBT community. That should be expected, but as time progresses more denominations will likely follow.
“This moment is a real opportunity for us to struggle, to work through differences, but still be committed to each other,” Executive Director Rev. Brian Ellison told HuffPo.
While barriers may still exist in law, the social cement that holds them up is weakening. With time they will undoubtedly erode.
Maybe once that happens we can get to the real heart of the matter: why does government have a role in marriage at all? Government is not a religious institution, it can only grant a legal union of persons and finances. Such a government granted union should be open to any and all who wish to enter into one. It doesn’t matter what gender they are, if they are in love, or if they are even romantically involved, any two adults should be able to enter into union. Equal protection demands that if the government is to grant these benefits to some, it must offer them to all.
And “marriage” should be left to social spheres. Let churches deal with the spiritual. Some will uphold more traditional views, others will seek to be more inclusive. But with the state and social roles separated, there will be no need to force anyone to do anything. That is real social change. That is freedom.
