Mack,

I’m traveling, actually to Wheaton, IL to take our son back to college. Too bad we can’t have this conversation in person. Maybe someday we will meet up on one of my Chicago area trips. (And I don’t think we’ll want to focus on areas we disagree on. Maybe we can watch the Phillies beat the Cubs)

On divorce, that opens up another discussion, but 1 Corinthians 7 talks about the partner who is deserted is not bound, and that is widely interpreted as free to remarry in the Lord. I think your tradition provides annulments, etc. which is another conversation too. The divorce and remarriage tradition in Protestant circles is centuries old.

I’m not unwilling to continue our discussion, but will be off line for the next 48 hours or so. I can’t think of anything Fearsome has written on this issue that I disagree with. I don’t see so called gay marriage as a justice issue. I think every category of sinner has civil rights. I would press the civil right of the orphan to have a mother and father, and not be traumatized by two daddies or two mommies. I also think there’s no such thing as secular law that is neutral, and that the best social science research (I tend to agree these are not hard sciences) advocates a mother and father are needed to raise a child. I believe all laws have a religious root, and that the only solution is multi-culturalism. America is lurching towards monoculturalism, but all in the name of multi-culturalism. The multiculturalists do not want anything but their view allowed. One reason for this is that they are convicted by righteousness and want to eradicate any moral categories that challenge their priorities, and the main priority is unrestrained sexual freedom. On this issue, Christian adoption agencies should practice civil disobedience. And yes, it would probably result in the seizure of our property and endless prison sentences for contempt of court. That’s the test that may be coming.

I only perform state sanctioned wedding services. (valid in sphere of church and state) If the state requires me to perform same sex services I will not give in, and I will exercise civil disobedience in only solemnizing marriages that are true marriages. By your logic, I’d have to let the state dictate justice for gays, or only perform church sanctioned weddings that the state would not recognize as things stand today.