Speak Up on Marriage

In response to Alan Reinach’s article [“Should Adventists Speak Up on Marriage?” April 2004], I believe the answer is definitely “yes,” but in a way different than the article speaks of. With Christian divorce rates (Adventists being no different) up there with the world, and with so many “marriages” that for all intents and purposes may as well be divorced, we haven’t affirmed the eternal and objective nature of the law of God.

Have we really lived the definition of marriage? It is more than a man and woman living together “until death” parts them. How many Christian marriages really reflect the passion that Christ has for His bride? We all are guilty of undermining marriage, because we have not taken seriously that it is to be a living picture of the relationship God longs to have with us, His eternal commitment of oneness with us.

Since marriage has failed to be all that God designed it to be, the products of marriage, the children, have too often gone to seek out other ways to make their lives “work,” whether it is premarital sexual relationships or homosexual relationships.

As Christians, we have the responsibility to constantly grow in our relationships with God and others. It is most important for us in marriage to do that so our oneness will attract others to Christ. Yes, the Adventist voice needs to be heard, but more importantly it needs to be seen!

Irmgart Mitchell

Moorpark, Calif.

But Know Why

A reasonable argument is made by Alan Reinach [“Should Adventists Speak Up On Marriage?” April 2004] that the gay lifestyle justifies the church and its members becoming involved in the issue. However, his use of the terms gay and homosexual interchangeably with “gay marriage” is confusing and incorrect.

The morality of gay relationships does not justify outrage against gay marriage. Adventists becoming involved in such political issues as gay marriage should be clear about the reasons for the positions.

The gay lifestyle will continue whether or not gay marriage is permitted. It is highly unlikely that the number of gay individuals and gay couples will be reduced if they are not permitted to marry.

How issues such as gay marriage are addressed within the perimeter of the traditional family are of paramount significance in a child’s development of values.

Sonja H. Rhodes

Santa Ana, California

Stay Out of It

The short answer to the question posed by Alan Reinach’s article “Should Adventists Speak Up on Marriage?” is: No.

“Marriage” has two aspects. It is both a civil arrangement and a religious institution. I, for one, support gay marriage on constitutional grounds. With respect to the religious/moral aspect of the debate, I can only suggest that the issue is more complex than Mr. Reinach’s article suggests.

Adventists, of course, are free to take a position against recognizing gay marriage within the Church. As a civil institution, however, marriage imposes obligations, and also creates rights (inheritance, community property, status to sue for certain injuries to the spouse, etc.) that should not be based on sexual orientation.

We all know of heterosexual couples who have been out of love for years, might even be living apart, and yet they are “married” for purposes of the law. A committed gay couple should have the right to receive civil benefits, as would any couple.

Moreover, science is discovering that homosexuality results almost entirely from genes, hormones and early life experiences, over which gays have no control. I would be more inclined toward cynicism about marriage through the example of constantly bickering heterosexual couples than through the mere existence of gay couples.

The Church would do well to abstain from adding another voice to this increasingly noisy, and complex, debate.

Karl W. Kime, J.D.

Glendale, Calif.