Christians & Bigots

In his State of the Union address this year, President George Bush expressed his concerns about the recognition of same-sex unions. The President believes that the sacred institution of marriage is under attack. He thinks that if couples of the same sex are legally married heterosexual marriages will somehow be threatened. At least, he thinks his base of support believes this so he is making statements against the issue. The same day I was appalled at what the President said, a former acquaintance of mine, Gary Bauer, an activist of the bigots on the Christian right was expressing how disappointed he was that the President didn't make his statements much stronger. Bauer wasn't as sure of Bush's support on the issue.

Bush indicated that If judges continue to open the door for legal recognition for same-sex couples "without regard for the will of the people, the only alternative is the constitutional process." The President's alluded to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court justices, who ruled last November that refusing civil marriage rights to same-sex couples violated the state Constitution. The Legislature has until May 18 to implement the ruling, but lawmakers have asked the court to consider a civil union law as a possible alternative. Bush refers to the sanctity of marriage and marriage's sacred aspects to support his position.

In contrast to President Bush's views regarding Christianity and same-sex unions, Governor Howard Dean, on the campaign trail for the Democratic nomination for President, has stated that his faith influenced him to sign the historic civil union law in 2000, when he was governor of Vermont. Dean said. "There was a religious aspect to my support of civil unions." The Washington Post reported that Dean said, "From a religious point of view, if God had thought homosexuality is a sin, he would not have created gay people." These statements were made back when Dean was considered a front-runner for the Democratic nomination.

For some reason the most vocal people who call themselves Christians seem to be those who deny some key principles of Scripture. Like George Bush, they have a very narrow view of morality and that only includes things they understand and agree with. If they don't understand it, or can't find agreement, then they become afraid and lash out. Unfortunately for sexual minorities, this means persecution and inequality.

The Apostle Paul wrote concerning behaviors that matter to God "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." (Galatians 5:6) This seems a bit difficult to reconcile with the huge number of rules and laws that religious people have given priority over the years. The latest scapegoat is same sex relationships. As usual, people who feel guilty over their own failings like to draw attention away by making others look like a threat. This seems like George Bush's position. Same sex relationships, and their legal recognition, are a strength not a threat.

Another primary principle that religious bigots forget is essential to all of Christianity and most other faiths as well. It is simply. "Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-40) How can Christians condemn loving relationships between two people of the same sex when Jesus didn't? How can bigots truly call themselves Christian when the command is to love one another? It looks like the church has some work to do in order to return to its foundation of love without prejudice. There should be no room for bigots in Christianity.

Unfortunately justice doesn’t always come from elections. Perhaps it is time to get Jesus out of prejudicial politics and allow the judges who are vowed to do justice to decide the matter. After all, isn't that why we have a separation of powers in the United States to begin with. Just as the courts should not usurp the powers of the legislature nor the President, so should the President stay out of the business of the courts.

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Robert Buchanan is a minister of the Ecumenical Catholic Church and a psychotherapist who lives with his partner of many years in Durham North Carolina.  He is the author of  Love, Honor & Respect: How to Confront Homosexual Bias in Christian Culture and serves as director of the Institute for Inclusive Christianity. a training program for ministers and clergy who do not discriminate against gays, lesbians, bisexuals, or because of financial, familial or social status.  Additional resources for inclusive Christians can be found at our Resources page.

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Last modified: 07/09/05