The Rudd aftermath

Well I thought there would be a bit of a reaction post the Rudd declaration of support for same sex marriage. Predictably the 'Christian lobby group' responded with all guns blazing.

One of my favourite blogs is Simon Holt at Colin street Baptist. He often writes succinctly what I cannot::

It’s a frightening read and, I suspect, is intended to be so. Members of this lobby group are clearly troubled by the prospect of change to our definition of marriage and genuinely believe their fears are well grounded. Whatever I make of these assertions, the ACL has the right to voice them and to do so as passionately and directly as they can. They speak for their constituency. What troubles me is not so much what they assert but who they infer that constituency to be.

In today’s press interviews and media release, the ACL speaks broadly of ‘the Christian constituency.’ It infers, first, that there is such a thing, a uniform Christian community—perhaps that church-going 20% of the national population or the 64% of Australians who ‘declare themselves to be Christians’— that stands united against marriage equality and, second, that the ACL is their preferred public voice. This is not the case.....

Despite the posturing of the ACL, I want people to know that there are many sincere ‘church-going’ Christians around this country for whom the ACL does not speak. Not at all. We find their assertions and fear mongering as offensive and alienating as do many others. We may not be members of the Kevin Rudd fan club, but as fellow Christians we welcome Rudd’s support on this important issue.

Well written! Yes the ACL, does not represent my views either.

 

Kevin comes out

I was surprised that Kevin Rudd came out in favour of same sex marriage. The statement put out on his blog was fairly detailed. There was the personal side behind the move, as well as his Christian theological underpinnings (without mentioning the usual suspect texts), and lastly how he saw a difference between religious and civil marriage. It was also interesting that he defended the idea that family made differently than the typically family unit can also be just as loving.

Rob Bell comes out

 

According to homebrew Christianity Rob Bell one of my favourite Christian community communicators has come out in support of same sex marriage.

Well it had to happen and I think more of the main line leaders will start affirming same sex marriage. Starting as a trickle but it will pick up.

Interestingly the first attack is about he isn't a 'pastor' in a working sence anymore therefore Bell has lost credibility! I wonder how accademics, retired pastors, authors etc feel about this sort of badge you need to speak out?

Anyway, my prayers are with Bell; for he will be coping it. Many friends disowning him to protect there own position.

 

Big picture.

I often spend time pondering Christianity. Most of the public only really gets to see Christianity through its mouth pieces eg mega pastors, denominatioal leaders or lobbyists speaking to big issues. The answers on issues are usually in media bites of yes and no, right or wrong. There is no place for shades of grey.

For example same sex marriage: the public usually hear that it is unnatural and immoral. It's wrong.

While I think first and foremost it is the individuals and there stories which are missed, which should be the stories. The person who has stuggled with their attraction to the same sex all there life, has hated themselves because of it. Wanted to change but couldn't even when they were a Christian, have been picked on because of been different most of their life.

Most of the time we never hear the horror stories from the Christian mouth pieces speaking up about this minority. I often wonder do they even know a person from a minority position. Not just had a one off lunch. But a relationship that has tasted time.

I doubt it. Most Christians I know only socialise with Christians and socialise with family at Christmas and weddings.

It is individual that get left out much of the time, with the Christian big picture. It must make Jesus weep.

 

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Jo Hockey, same sex marriage and cooking

 

I've become a bit of a fan of kitchen cabinet, an ABC show hosted by Annabel Crab. It is where Australian politicians cook up a dish and share it with Annabel and chat about life and politics. It is at times insightful.

The episode with Jo Hockey was one such episode. Not because of his cooking. I couldn't believe that he didn't know how to get the heart out of a lettuce... Rather his views on same sex marriage. I have previously written about his tortured response to this on Q and A. He padded this out more on kitchen Cabinet. His position which has firmed was due to having children.

I have to admit that I have also rethought my position since children. For children mine anyway, it seems that everything must have a mummy or a daddy. If they see a sheep in the field they ask : "where's the Daddy?" or "the Mummy?". It's a repetitive question down to snails, frogs, birds etc. Simply for them it seems to be the way things should be.

If life wasn't complicated, messy, I would agree with children and Jo Hockey. The clincher for me is friends who are different. The majority never wanted to be gay or transgendered. Most have really battled, been picked on, ostracised, a real struggling minority. I'm not sure legislating against them is right, even if it isn't the preferred way of things.

 

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Baptist minister Gone

As reported in 'The Age' yesterday, Baptist minister Matt Glover was secretly dismissed for his support of same sex marriage. Some thoughts-

-Working within an institution such as the Baptist Church is alway going to be a hard gig. I take my hat off to him for been honest. There would be a lot more pastors who would have the same opinion but find it easier to lie or brush off the topic (I actually know some!).

-What did it mean two to four thousand years ago for a man and wife to leave there family and become one? Is it about 'fruitfulness' or a loving relationship? I suspect it is meant to be both. 

Either way I think the idea of equality is by far the higher principle. In some ways I don't think society can escape this. Same sex marriage will happen but not for a long time, it won't go through this parliment.

Maybe a way around the whole issue is having 'Civil marriages' and 'denominational religious marriage', where the denomination has the choice to marry or not to marry same sex couples.