2006-10-05 13:58:53 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think most Christians opposed to gay marriage are opposed on the grounds that homosexuality itself is a sin, not that the couple can't reproduce. Reproduction has nothing to do with it.
2006-10-05 14:02:57 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Good point! I'm not going into it all right now because I'm tired, but the meaning of the words in the N.T. commonly translated as homosexual do NOT mean homosexual as we understand it. The words could mean any number of things and it isn't clear Paul or Timothy had consensual homosexual relationships in mind when they were writing. The problem with the O.T. passages is one of consistency, if a person doesn't follow the entire Levitical code, then they don't have the right to condemn others. Pickers and choosers (all of us are) shouldn't point the finger at anyone. Any person who claims that the Bible is clear on the point of homosexuality has done very little reading in the area or is just absolutely dogmatic in their opinion.
I guess the question that you raise then is what is marriage. Should a man who is abusive be allowed to marry a woman? Should a woman who is a workaholic be allowed to marry? How can either of these people promote the general welfare of a society through marriage if they aren't taking care of one another from within the marriage? To me, this is just one of the fundamental flaws of defining marriage as 'only' between a man and a woman. There is nothing in that definition of mutual love, consent, respect, etc. To me, that is a better definition of marriage as we understand it today.
Some people like to argue that if we let people of the same sex marry then that will lead to marriage between adults and children or people and animals. This is just stupid (please pardon the pejorative ). There is no mutual respect, consent, or love in either of those cases, which is why the current understanding of marriage is so flawed - there is no attention to what makes a marriage work from the inside, rather, those who adopt this view are concerned, primarily, about the cosmetic features of marriage.
Great question. If you want to read religious scholars who speak about this very issue, you may want to check out Walter Wink or Victor Furnish for starters. Bruce Bawer (Bauer?) and John Shelby Spong are also quite good. For an opposing scholarly opinion you can check out Marion Soards or Richard Hays. Robert Gagnon just recently released a book that would oppose your view, although, his research is suspect - especially in the area of vocabulary and list analysis. His work seems more a polemic than a real contribution to Biblical scholarship (that is just my opinion though). Take care.
2006-10-05 14:13:06 · answer #2 · answered by Tukiki 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You received a lot excellent responses to your question.
I agree with most of the answers about reproduction having nothing to do with gay or heterosexual marriage. Honestly, I do understand your question. But, on a personal note, my daughter had to have a hysterectomy at a very, very young age due to medical problems. She is getting married to a wonderful man this Saturday. He has never been married and has no children, but yet he loves my daughter and wants to marry her even though he will never have children of his own. They do plan to adopt in a few years, hopefully.
So, yes. My answer is yes, heterosexual couples should be allowed to marry even if they can't reproduce. :)
Edit:
Thanks for your thought provoking questions. It has made me see things that I otherwise wouldn't have. :)
2006-10-05 16:25:03 · answer #3 · answered by BlueAngel 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Interesting...this was actually the question that made me lose a debate. But now I'm prepared.
Whether it be Old Testament or New Testament, homosexualy is looked down on. Therefore gay marriage should not be allowed. In the case of heterosexual couples who can't reproduce, there are plenty of children in China who are being given away (or killed) because their parents don't want them. The number of children up for adoption are way more than heterosexual couples who can't reproduce. The Chinese have strict rules against preaching the Gospel, so adopting from there will give a child a much better chance to learn of Christ.
Why can't gay couples adopt? They can, but God does not approve of gay couples.
2006-10-05 15:02:47 · answer #4 · answered by disciple 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Marriage is symbolic. Christ spoke of marriage as He being the bridegroom and the Church being the bride. He is going to take the Church to be with Him forever in Heaven. The Church is the body of believers who truly love Him. Jesus said that marriage is a union between a man and a woman, and what God has brought together let no man put asunder. Biologically the parts fit. Biologically, the parts of a homosexual union don't fit.
2006-10-05 14:12:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Abraham + Sarah - about 3 billion current descendants, were not able to conceive
2006-10-05 14:02:29 · answer #6 · answered by Slave to JC 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You cant be serious, it doesn't matter if you reproduce or not, you must be male and female to get married.According to the bible, God instituted marriage and Adam and Eve is our example.
2006-10-05 14:30:54 · answer #7 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It doesn't appear to be an abomination unto God according to the Bible; so, yes, I think barren couples can marry.
2006-10-05 14:01:40 · answer #8 · answered by reformed 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well being barren is not an abomination before God. Homosexuality is.
2006-10-05 14:08:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. And I do not oppose gay marriage for that reason. God said it is wrong, so I believe it is wrong!
2006-10-05 14:02:34 · answer #10 · answered by Monique 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋