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The Bible's Case for Gay Marriage

Tome isn't exactly as full of endorsements for 'traditional' marriage as conservatives would have us believe

By Victoria Floethe,  Newser User

Posted Dec 8, 2008 1:12 PM CST

(Newser) – Listen to opponents of gay marriage cite scripture, and you might believe it is not what Jesus would do. But, Lisa Miller writes in Newsweek, no sensible modern person wants to use the Bible as a “how-to script.” (Polygamy, anyone?) “Why,” Miller asks, “would we regard its condemnation of homosexuality with more seriousness than we regard its advice, which is far lengthier, on the best price to pay for a slave?”

The Bible has remained powerful for 2,000 years because its truths continue to speak to us. “The practice of inclusion, even in defiance of social convention, and the emphasis on togetherness and community over and against chaos, depravity, indifference—all these biblical values argue for gay marriage,” writes Miller.

Religion Editor, Lisa Miller, writes that many opponents of same-sex marriage base their objections on Scripture, though the Bible gives no good reason why gays should not be married
Religion Editor, Lisa Miller, writes that many opponents of same-sex marriage base their objections on Scripture, though the Bible gives no good reason why gays should not be married   (PRNewsFoto/NEWSWEEK)
Hundreds of protesters hold signs as they protest a gay marriage ban approved two weeks ago by Californians in Chicago's Federal Plaza Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008.
Hundreds of protesters hold signs as they protest a gay marriage ban approved two weeks ago by Californians in Chicago's Federal Plaza Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008.   (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
Rev. Edwin Bacon, of All Saints Episcopal Church, delivers a sermon in support of same sex marriages Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008.
Rev. Edwin Bacon, of All Saints Episcopal Church, delivers a sermon in support of same sex marriages Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008.   (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)
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Would any contemporary heterosexual married couple—who likely woke up on their wedding day harboring some optimistic and newfangled ideas about gender equality and romantic love—turn to the Bible as a how-to script? - Lisa Miller, Newsweek

Jesus never mentions homosexuality, but he roundly condemns divorce (leaving a loophole in some cases for the husbands of unfaithful women). - Lisa Miller, Newsweek

Leviticus refers to sex between men as "an abomination," but in a text given over to codes for living in the ancient Jewish world, a text that includes treatments for leprosy, and the correct way to sacrifice a goat. - Lisa Miller, Newsweek

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 11 comments
justapirate
Apr 2, 2009 12:04 AM CDT
In the US, marriage is no longer a religious thing. It brings 1,000+ rights to the table. How do you think atheists are allowed to be wed?
Zebraone
Dec 11, 2008 7:33 PM CST
One good thing about homo's~~~ They can't breed their own ilk!~~~~Unless the lesbos use the turkey baster approach loaded by a "male" friend!
Guest
Dec 11, 2008 1:52 AM CST
The problem is Separation of Church and State. If Religion is to stay out of government then government should stay out of Religion! Marriage is and has always, (been for recorded time: that includes ancient Rome and Greece, (where homosexual relations was common)) throughout the major Religions, between One Man and one Woman. It is a Sacrament, Office, or Holy Union now matter how you define it. Government should divorce, (heh, see what I did there?) itself from Marriage and instead be providing equal protection under Law for unions the need governmental assistance. That will include traditional and Non-traditional one to one unions but also say, room-mates who share property? This is not a negative Civil rights battle, it's just being fought in the wrong arena. However, I am not sure the so called Gay Lobby is not actually looking for a fight to encroach upon the beliefs of others. In which case they need to be shut down in just the same way the most Liberal State in the Union California did. And if California goes that way how do you think the rest of the Nation will go when they discover a belief system is being jammed down their throats?

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