The Word “Marriage”
Inkeeping with the theme introduced by the recent Literific Debate on gay marriage, the Gown published opinion pieces on the same topic in the paper edition Monday 17 September. They are republished below.
BY CATHY CORBETT
This debate is about the use of the word “marriage”. Marriage is defined as the union of one man and one woman before God. As a Christian I believe that “marriage” is sacred. When I get married next year I won’t just be promising to love my other half but I will also be making a covenant with my creator, my God, to love my husband, comfort, honour and keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking all others till death do us part. Marriage was designed by God to produce children. There are 2.1 billion Christians in the world and 1.6 billion Muslims, that’s a total of 3.7 billion people; more than half of the world’s population. You cannot discount religious beliefs in regards to the term marriage. The Civil Partnership Act 2004 gave same-sex couples the exact same rights as a married couple in regards to property rights, exemptions on inheritance tax, social security and pension benefits. I personally have no issue with civil partnerships giving couples legal protection. I believe all non-Christians should be able to have a civil partnership instead of a marriage as defined by God. My questio
n is why are people so v
ehemently trying to offend those of religious beliefs by redefining the term marriage, what more than they already have does the term “marriage” offer same-sex couples?
It saddens me greatly that the church has failed the LGBT community so greatly. We welcome adulterers, murderers and addicts into the church and we hope that they repent and follow Christ, but we have over the decades managed to ostracise the LGBT community, making them feel unwelcome.
I hear you saying that it’s the 21st century and times have changed. Times may have changed but the standards that God expects of us remains the same. This is why the bible is still very relevant today and is the guide for Christian living. Modern society may change but God does not. Romans 12 tells us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind”. Each age thinks of itself as modern. During the time of the Romans it was accepted practice that a baby was not a real person and could be left in the forest to just die if unwanted. This seems barbaric today, but it was accepted at that time. Just because the modern thinking changes does not mean that the teachings of my God change. I will continue to do my Christian duty and show love to those around me. I love my gay friends and I accept that at times life is very hard for them and my advice is always the same, take your troubles to the Lord in prayer and let him renew your mind for he does not turn away from us, we only ever turn away from him.
The views expressed in the above opinion piece are my own and do not represent the views of any organisations I am connected with.
