"It Doesn't Affect Me"

We're all familiar with this phrase. I've heard it countless times as I'm sure you have, too. Heck, you might've even said it yourself. Either way, it's there.

"Gay marriage doesn't affect me."

I counter this statement by saying that if gay marriage doesn't affect you (that is, the person making the claim), then it shouldn't matter if it isn't legalized or accepted into culture. Which we all know is untrue. The person does care. It affects their moral, ethical, and political sensibilities.  Maybe it's merely a case of simple equal rights. Maybe it's an imperative to gain societal acceptance. But there is something there. So let's not kid ourselves or anyone else by saying that the status of gay marriage has no bearing on our lives.

Now that we've arrived at this conclusion, both sides of the issue can lay claim to a vested interest of where  gay marriage stands. I'll share my own personal views on the matter. It's my opinion that gay marriage is something that should be voted on at a national level. When the polls are in, then the issue is settled. It's either legal or it's not. No more lobbyist or supreme court intervention. There should be no attempt to undo what is decided, one way or the other. We respect the democratic process and the will of the people. Though I'm not someone who would vote in favor of it, I at least feel that both sides would (or should, ideally) be treated fairly and respectfully when all is said and done.

My initial reason for not supporting gay marriage was not because of the convictions of my faith (though I do have these), but rather it pertained to public health. Having read some medical journals, I have reason to believe that the body does not accommodate to same-sex intercourse.  Because of that, I have felt that legitimizing homosexuality, despite the health risks, would be dishonest and, ultimately, have a negative effect on society. It's one thing to engage in the activity, it's another to promote and claim that it is equally safe and healthy. This appears to have no impact on public opinion, which likely means that gay marriage will be legal in due time.

If this does turn out to be the case, then I would encourage fellow Christians to be respectful and compassionate. We must remember that God is greater than any obstacle or tribulation. My concern within our culture, however, is that this will not be enough to appease the mainstream. If same-sex marriage is passed, I do not want to be forced into supporting it under threat of legal retaliation or being blackballed from a career. I don't want to be told that my views do not have equal protection under the First Amendment. Many of those in support of same-sex marriage also support a separation of church and state. Though this is nowhere in the Constitution, I will entertain this position in order to make a point. If religion should not be the last word in the determination of law, then neither should the government have any place to dictate church policy. It was for this reason, in fact, that Thomas Jefferson used the phrase in his letters in the first place.  

I need to make another point. Freedom of Speech and Thought does not mean freedom without consequence. There are people who oppose same-sex marriage who want to express their views in absolutely stupid ways. An auto mechanic who altogether refuses to serve a homosexual is stupid because he's not being forced to support the customer's views. He's being asked to fix a car. A group of students who start an "Anti-Gay Day" and wear shirts with Bible verses and target fellow students who are gay, using offensive labels and bullying. They are stupid. This is not Christian and it's not compassionate. It's deliberately inflammatory and does nothing to honor God. It should not be tolerated within the Body of Christ. So if you are among those who are considering these things, stop. Just stop. Don't be an instigator and don't be an idiot. If we want our thoughts to be heard, then we will do it civilly and without intentional provocation.We must use prayer and the Bible appropriately.

I rarely discuss this issue with others. I'm less interested in debating and more convicted toward listening and being respectful. The majority of people aren't going to change their mind, anyway. But I want to leave giving little doubt that I at least care, regardless of the outcome.

-L. Travis Hoffman

4/22/2015