Born this way

May 15, 2012 Letters

---

 

 

DEAR EDITOR,
Pastor Phillip Lee of “His way out ministries” wrote quite a long letter defending traditional marriage in American Society (May 13th Kaieteur News).  Some might argue that the pastor is defending traditional bigotry and is denying gays and lesbians their “way out” of the closet.
Pastor Lee says that his position, (opposite-sex marriage, as some Christians call it,) is not about “whether or not gays and lesbians are nice people or good citizens.”  And he is right. It is about whether these good citizens are being denied the basic human rights guaranteed to them under the American Constitution.  Pastor Lee can thump the Bible all he wants, ultimately gay marriage is a legal issue, which is why it is being determined in the Courts of Law and not in a church.
The pastor says he is standing upon “The Authority of Scripture” which holds to a specific “God-given format” regarding marriage. I could almost feel the fire and brimstone when Pastor Lee thundered: “Marriage was established by God Himself and as a result cannot be redefined by each new generation.”
Really? Then let’s consult the “Authority”.  In Exodus 21:10, a man is allowed to marry an unlimited number of women. In 2 Samuel 5:13, 1 Chronicles 3:1-9, 14:3, we learn that King David had six wives and numerous concubines. In 1 Kings 11:3, King Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines. In 2 Chronicles 11:21, King Solomon’s son Rehoboam had 18 wives and 60 concubines. In Deuteronomy 21:15 we are taught authoritatively what a man must do if he “has two wives, and he loves one but not the other, and both bear him sons…” I can go on and on, as there are many examples of non-traditional marriages in the Bible.   So I am amused that Pastor Lee, without a hint of irony, says that marriage must be between “one father and one mother.” I have no doubt he has a way of rationalizing away the “authority” of God’s word.
Polygamy is against the law and I am not suggesting that anyone do anything illegal while claiming a God-given right to go on a marriage spree. My point is to prove that marriage was in fact “redefined” through the passage of time. And I say that on good “authority.”
There are some, of course, who would reject the system of Old Testament in favour of the New and while looking you straight in the eye, and without batting an eyelid, they would quote scripture arguing that their God is unchanging and immutable. Self-contradiction? What are you talking about they would ask.
To those who would try this sleight-of-hand I remind them of what the Lord of the New Testament said: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets [Old Testament].  . .  I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest part or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law . . .” The Old Testament, the one that does not condemn slavery – that “authority” stands.
Pastor Lee says, “a compassionate society should never, ever, intentionally create motherless and fatherless families. And that’s exactly what the experiment of same-sex marriage does.” I refer him to a bestselling book written by Zach Wahls called, “My Two Moms: Lessons of Love, Strength, and What Makes a Family.” Zach, an epitome of manliness and an environmental engineering student, told the Iowa House Judiciary Committee on January 31, last year that, “The sexual orientation of my parents has had zero effect on the content of my character.”
Ten countries are currently engaged in what Pastor Lee anxiously dubs a “radical social experiment”. These are Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, and Sweden. Same-sex marriages are also performed and are recognized in the Brazilian state of Alagoas and several American States.  An increasing number of countries are also granting same-sex Civil Unions. So far, none of these countries have broken off and fallen into the ocean.
Coincidentally, in the ancient world males who were naturally impotent for procreative sex, or innately gay men, were referred to as “eunuchs” or “born eunuchs”.   Jesus did not condemn, ridicule or preach bigotry against these people. He basically shrugged and probably said, it is what it is. In Matthew 19:12 (KJV) Jesus acknowledged that some people are just born different explaining,”There are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb. . .”
And so, from the immortal words of Jesus to the enlightened lyrics of Lady Gaga:
“I’m beautiful in my way
‘Cause God makes no mistakes
I’m on the right track, baby
I was born this way
Don’t hide yourself in regret
Just love yourself and you’re set
I’m on the right track, baby
I was born this way.”
It is just matter time to the fulfillment of marriage equality, and the achievement of the basic human rights enshrined in this social contract.
Meanwhile, I expect Pastor Lee’s next letter defending marriage to be a scathing condemnation of divorce. I’m sure he would agree that divorce is having a devastating effect on his sanctified “traditional marriage”. And let’s not even start on its effect on the issue closest to Pastor Lee’s heart – that of broken families and a single sex parent.
Justin de Freitas

---

---