The article talks about the definition of 'family'. In the past people have defined 'family' as a husband and wife with or without children. Many today think that 'family' should be better defined as to include couples who are of the same sex. Research has shown over the past few years that most Americans are excepting same-sex couples with children as being a family. It asserts that this is evidence that the American people are more socially accepting of same sex relationships and that more of these relationships are becoming public.
The concept of same-sex relationships and marriage is taking off like a wildfire in our nation. There is such a resounding voice for acceptance. It doesn't sound that much different then when the same resounding voices were screaming out for acceptance for divorce, or premarital sex. So here is the conundrum: Do we fight back with everything we got? Do we let them here our resounding voices? Do we just wait, passively and with love until they make the decision to come to us and listen to the "truth"?
We know how important the 'family' is in a child's development. The problem is not in the definition of 'family', but in the definition and concept of the words 'accept' and 'tolerate'. While reading the article I was reminded of the Serenity Prayer. I started focusing on the 'accept'. To accept is to endure a situation or to tolerate something without protesting or attempting to change it. To tolerate is to withstand the unpleasant effects of something. I then started to ask myself; Can I change that I live in a fallen world?; Can I change that there are same-sex couples?; Can I change that many Americans believe it is OK to be in these relationships?; Can I change that truth (Bible) is, many will be deceived?; Can I change that same-sex couples still have innate biblical desires (to be part of a family)? And then I ask myself, "Can I 'accept' this"? I can accept that same-sex people want to be part of a family. I will accept it when I meet a 'family' with children and same-sex parents that they are a 'family'.
Personally, I believe that these days, we need to be in fighting mode. By fighting mode, I mean that we need to stand up and protect the Judeo-Christian values which our great founders established on this great nation. I believe, we have "tolerated" way too much. So much so, that tolerate for Christians has now meant to accept. Because of our tolerance, laws and statutes which openly go against God and His Word have been passed. The sad part is because Christians have not spoken up, we have let the devil gain way too much ground in its definition of the family. I think it's time for us as Christians, to "fight" back before it's too late.
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree with you that Christians need to "fight", I also believe that we need to be wise in how, why and who we fight. I know that we, as Christians can feel passionately about same-sex issues but I think we need to be careful in how we express that passion. When you say "fight", who are you wanting us to fight? the people, the government, everyone? Personaly I would like to consentrate my "fight" in areas I feel I can change like government and influancing the people around me. Arguing to the masses on what constitutes a family seems to me to be counter-productive and will do more harm then good when considering what we are really fighting against and that is government recognition of same-sex marriage.
ReplyDeleteI know this wasn't your main point, but I had something to consider about the definition of family. I find myself torn with defining family because I do believe there need to be parameters as you were saying because we know how the Lord defines family. However, it is important to note that as counselors we will have clients that have a very different definition of family. For example, some cultures include non blood related people into their family system. Furthermore, we must consider whether or not blood relations is vital to the definition of family as well because of cases of adoption or divorce. It's a difficult issue and its hard to say what is family and what is not family. However, I also understand that you are discussing this in the context of same-sex relationships, but I thought it might be worth bringing up.
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