Why might a Christian refuse to attend, attend, or participate in a same-sex marriage ceremony?For simplicity, suppose this is a discussion among traditional Christians who believe. How has the church always believed and how does most of the church believe in the world?Do you still believe that homosexual behavior is a sin and that marriage is a pactual and conjugal union between a man and a woman.
With this clarifying commentary, we can answer the question directly: why should a Christian feel a duty of conscience not to attend or participate in a gay marriage?It is not because of fanaticism, fear, or because we do not know that Jesus was with sinners. This leads us to this conclusion, because of our desire to obey Christ and the nature of the wedding event itself.
- A wedding ceremony.
- In the Christian tradition.
- Is first and foremost a worship cult.
- So if the union celebrated in worship cannot be biblically sanctioned as an act of worship.
- We believe that worship gives credibility to a lie.
- Conscience.
- Participate in a false cult.
- I understand that this does not seem very pleasant.
- But the conclusion follows the premise.
- Namely what marriage?what is celebrated is not really a marriage and should not be celebrated.
Furthermore, it has long been understood that those who attend a wedding ceremony are not just casual observers, but witnesses who give their approval and support to the vows to be pronounced. before this congregation. “That is why one of the marriage models in the Presbyterian Church in America always has the minister saying:
If a man can show a just cause for which he cannot marry legally, declare him now or shut up forever.
Quite explicitly, marriage is not a party for friends and family, it is not just a ceremonial formality. It is a divine event in which the gathered people celebrate and honor the “celebration of marriage”.
Is that why, although I want to bond with a lesbian friend or assure a family member that I’m gay that I care about him and want to have a relationship with him?I wouldn’t participate in a same-sex marriage ceremony. I cannot help with my cake, with my flowers or with my presence to make solemn what is not holy.
In adopting this position, I have often heard things like this in response:
But Jesus lived with sinners. He didn’t mind being contaminated by the world. I didn’t want to divert people from God’s love. He always opened the door to God’s mercy. He said, “If someone forces you to make a cake, make two for it. “
Well, let’s think about these objections. I really want to think about prayers, not just vague prayers and sentimentality.
Jesus lived with sinners. It’s true, more or less (depending on what you mean by “coexist”). But Jesus believed that marriage was between a man and a woman (Matthew 19:3-9). Christ’s example in the Gospels teaches us that we should not be afraid to spend time with sinners. If a gay neighbor couple invites you to dinner, don’t ignore them.
He didn’t mind being contaminated by the world, that’s not the problem here. These are not lice or germs of sin; we have many of them ourselves.
I didn’t want to divert people from God’s love, but Jesus did it all the time. He acted in a way that could be unintentionally, and more often deliberately, antagonistic (Matthew 7. 6, 13-27; 11. 20-24; 13. 10-17; 19. 16-30). Jesus kept people away all the time. Isn’t that an excuse for us to be reckless and petty, but this should make us abandon the anti-bibolic notion that if someone is hurt by your words or not loved by your actions, then you have been stupid and sinful without love?
He always opened the door to God’s mercy. Amen, let us continue to preach Christ and preach as he did: let us call all men to repentance and to believe in the gospel (Mark 1:15).
If someone forces you to make a cake, make two for them. It is certainly a true and beautiful principle about how Christians, when they are insulted, should not retaliate. But it can hardly mean that we do what people ask, regardless of our rights (Acts 4. 18-20; 16. 35-40; 22. 22-29) and all that is right before God.
Is a wedding not an invitation to a dinner party, prom or retirement party, even in a completely secular environment, is it still meaningful?And sometimes wedding invitations express it? That our presence at the event would pay homage to the couple and their marriage It would be difficult, if not impossible, to attend a wedding (let alone help or provide the main meal), without their presence to celebrate and support what is happening. And as painful as it is for us and for those who love, celebrate, and support same-sex unions is not something God or His Word allows us to do.