Contemporary Christianity deals with a number of problems owing to the complexities and liberties of the current world. Issues ranging from morality, premarital sex, abortion, same-sex marriage among others plague the Christian fraternity as a whole. More to this is the question of sexual identity and particular same-sex marriage. Nowadays, people are torn between observing a traditional or liberal voice when it comes to issues in Christianity. In addition, most theological instructors like to make their students challenge the sources and norms of observed traditions in religion. Some even go to the extent of arguing that the current education system tests most of the traditional assumptions in various ways that question numerous beliefs and assumptions. Insofar as this is the case, certain pertinent topics require the reevaluation of understandings that currently exist while at the same time observing accurate interpretation of conservative teachings that are true in their meaning and context.
The issue of same-sex marriage has recently been a puzzle to many Christians all over the world. Currently, there are those churches that allow and condone this type of union and even go to the extent of uniting same-sex marriages. In such examples, the interpretation they have of this issue is normally different from those who stand firm against such practices. Over the past five years or so, a number of theologians have been more attuned to the issue of same-sex marriages, and many of them have formed the belief that, under particular circumstances, gay and lesbian relationships are acceptable (Eskridge, 1993). A brief history of marriages that are same-sex ordained around the cultures of the world shows that these unions started a while ago and were in most cases temporal, unsanctioned and informal. In the old world during the time of classical Europe, China and the Middle East, same-sex marriages were highly depicted in ancient Greece and Roman societies, who in those times were sexually liberal (Eskridge, 1993). From these early indicators came the stand of the early church and the middle ages. During this period that was filled with progressively persuasive Christianity, the promotion of marriage for procreation was the stance of most moral authorities. The natural position of most denominations including the teachings of the Torah and the Talmud showed that same-sex unions had the view of practices that were going against nature and the will of God and that they displayed a high sense of moral degradation. In addition, such a stand on same-sex marriages was also the position of most philosophies of those times.
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There are numerous propagandas and other misleading materials on how the Catholic Church views this contemporary issue. However, the stand of Catholics on this issue of same-sex marriages is clearly precise, concise and straight to the point. Over the years especially in 2014, numerous articles surfaced indicating that Pope Francis said that the Catholic Church should not be quick to dismiss gay marriages. Although this is the case, the Pope most certainly did not directly say these things but might have implied them in the sense of equal treatment, forgiveness and love for each other. Now, according to the annual event Catholic Answers Conference, which is a large congregation of Catholic adherents, theologian scholars, and Catholic officials, the stand on same-sex marriages is inherently clear and straight to the point. In Christianity, there is a calling of every person to the gift of sonship that is divine in nature and ultimately leads one to become a child of God. However, for a person to receive this eternal gift, they have to reject sin, and this includes any behavior that is related to homosexuality or lesbianism. Subsequently, the Catholic Church teaches that such behavior is in stark contrast to the divine order and even the natural law (Obstat, 2017). The Catholics maintain that homosexual or lesbian desires are not in themselves sinful, but it is in acting upon them that makes one sin. This also extends to the act of encouraging others of this desire and in deliberately fantasizing the actual act of doing it. According to divine law, Catholics maintain that the rejection of homosexual behavior can be found in the book of Genesis 19:13 (Obstat, 2017). This passage reflects the time when angels visited Lot, and the people of Sodom and Gomorrah were demanding the angels to have sexual intercourse with them. Ultimately, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah happened because of such immoralities.
In the United States of America, the Jews, in particular, have contemplated on this issue of same-sex marriages for a long time. For them, there are two significant questions. One is the legalization of same-sex marriages and the subsequent issuance of certificates to this effect that offers the same legal benefits as heterosexual couples. Secondly, is whether rabbis should perform same-sex weddings and in doing so, should this union have the consideration of being holy? In addition, Judaism normally has three subsets that include Reformists, Reconstructionist and the Conservatives. According to the Reconstructionist denomination, same-sex marriages are accepted and celebrated, and they have the stance that it should be included in all aspects of Jewish life. This was according to the 1992 report of the Reconstructionist Commission on Homosexuality (Powers, 2017). Also, the reform movement has a similar perspective to the Reconstructionist movement. However, in stark contrast to the two Jewish denominations, the Conservatives do not support same-sex marriages, and this too goes to Orthodox Jews. Other contemporary denominations that allow same-sex marriages include Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Episcopal Church, and the United Church of Christ among others.
In conclusion, the issue of same-sex marriages is like a pressing and persistent malignant tumor in contemporary Christianity. On one side, there are those who oppose it based on biblical passages and on the other side are those who support it based on their beliefs and understandings. Overall, the issue of same-sex marriages will remain to be one marred with controversy and disagreements in the current understanding and interpretations of Christianity.
References
Eskridge, W. (1993). A History of Same Sex Marriage. Yale Law School Legal Scholarship Repository , 1 (1), 1419-1513.
Powers, R. (2017). Same-Sex Marriage | My Jewish Learning . My Jewish Learning . Retrieved 9 May 2017, from http://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/same-sex-marriage/
Obstat, N. (2017). Homosexuality | Catholic Answers . Catholic.com . Retrieved 9 May 2017, from https://www.catholic.com/tract/homosexuality
