I have to be honest: I don't necessarily care if same-sex marriages are made legal in the United States. Such is a relatively minor inconvenience, really... just some scrapes and bruises, little hurdles that I'll just have to work extra hard to overcome. I can handle it.
What is detrimental, however, is the attitude behind the desire to withhold such a legal validation of families headed by homosexual couples. It's the same attitude that causes most (if not all) of the wars and famines and poverty in the world, namely this attitude that constantly demands, "Who deserves what [according to God]?"
Christians, especially, should not be found guilty of holding this attitude as it is core Doctrine of Christ that we should not judge anyone. We have no authority to decide who is entitled to what in God's eyes... that's His job, not ours.
We need to stop worrying about what people deserve and start focusing on what people need. It is heartbreaking to see immense amounts of money being spent on protecting "birthrights" when there are people who cannot afford to eat, when there are people who cannot afford shelter, when there are people who cannot afford proper care, when there are people who are literally incapable of sustaining themselves...
I mean, really, I can handle not being seen as a legally valid family, but I can't handle seeing so much time, money, and energy being spent on attacking the legal/spiritual/etc. validity of my future family when there are people who could benefit from some extra time, money, and energy.
And, really, why would one want to try to attack or preemptively defend a believed threat when one can help people with actual needs?
After all, 'defend' all people may, let them amend the constitution to define marriage as a heterosexual union... that's not going to stop me from finding a male companion and raising children with him. It's not going to lower the divorce rate among heterosexual marriages. All it will do is create a hostile environment towards people who do not share the same religious beliefs as opponents of homosexuality.
Yet, if we can spend these resources currently being exhausted in vain to build houses for the homeless, just think of the impact such could make...
"I believe that there is not a freer, more independent nor a more intelligent people to be found anywhere in the world, who are more independent in choosing the course which they pursue, in the work that they perform and in everything that they have to do with, than the Latter-day Saints. There is not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in good standing, anywhere in all the world today that is not such by reason of his independence of character, by reason of his intelligence, (and) wisdom.."
ReplyDelete- Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith, 32: "Liberty through Obedience", From the Life of Joseph F. Smith, Page 283
Perhaps the "faithful" should consider this when plowing their time and money into the cruel and divisive business of politics.
There are a lot of messages and counsels given through LDS prophets and apostles that are so freely ignored and bypassed by the members in favor for things like this that I'm often frustrated and don't know how to really act -- especially when it's coming from my family...
ReplyDeleteIt's almost like they're thinking, "Well, we are told to ask, 'What would Jesus do?' We believe Jesus condemns homosexuals; therefore..." All the while it is ignored the caveat: "Do as I would do except judge and condemn; such is not your duty but mine and mine alone."
Which brings me to my next post...