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As a Christian, how I'm voting on Marriage Equality

Lisa Camille
Sep 21, 2017
4 min read

The government has written to every Australian, asking for their opinion on marriage equality and I love it ...

I love that I live in a democratic country where this plebiscite thing even happens.

Let's face it, the government could totally decide to maintain or change the law on marriage on their own. The fact that they are being inclusive in their decision-making hints to an element of progressiveness. I needed to see that becuase I have been disappointed with the lack of progressive behaviour in their other areas of governance (i.e. the recent sudden changes to immigration policy and the lock-out laws.)

So, I must admit, I was little excited when I saw the Australian Bureau of Statistics envelope in my mailbox.

It is my turn to have a say and of course, I have been tossing up if I would

mark "yes" or "no" to same sex marriage for weeks. It is after all the hottest topic in Australia right now .... You would have to be living under a rock, if you haven't seen Instagram posts of your friends posting about their "yes" votes and news stories about the crazy strategies people have been using to entice the "no" vote.

(Skywriting people??....Really?? I could think of far-better ways to spend four grand!!)

I know because I'm a Christian you might have been expecting me to vote "no" while

I spew verses about the Bible stating that marriage is "between a man and a woman".

Perhaps to be in line with the lead Pastor of my church, Brian Houston, who issued a public statement on the plebiscite that said "I believe God’s Word is clear that marriage is between a man and a woman. The writings of the apostle Paul in scripture on the subject of homosexuality are also clear, as I have mentioned in previous public statements."

I know the Bible - I've read it cover to cover and hold its word in high regard. I do use it as a guideline for my personal values and behaviour. 'Christian' is one of the words that I use to describe myself in addition to 'single', 'celibate', and 'free-spirit'.

But there are many things in the Bible that I question or don't agree with fully.

For example, there are passages about the submission of women and a woman's place that make me scratch my head.

For example, 1 Corinthians 14:34

"The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. 35 : If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church."

If we were to adhere to that scripture there would be no female leaders or Pastors in the Church today. Brian Houston's wife, Bobbie could not take to the stage.

The Bible was written a long time ago within a specific cultural and poltical context. In order to maintain its relevance, we need to sift its overarching values from the rhetoric of the archaic customs and practices of those times.

I define my Christianity not by a strict adherence to the Bible, but by the fact that I have a relationship with Jesus and feel the resonance of truth from the words he spoke. When you read about Jesus's life, teachings and actions, it is clear that what he stood for was love and compassion.

Jesus is cited as speaking on love thirteen times, specifically citing it as the greatest commandment of all.

John 13:34/15:12/17 "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you."

(By adding a new commandment, even Jesus himself was admitting that the Bible could do with some updating.)

Here are the verses in the Bible that I apply to life in today's world:

Ephesians 4:2 "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing one another in love."

1 Peter 4:8 "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers the multitude of sins."

Romans 13:10 "Love does no harm to a neighbour, therefore love is the fulfilment of law."

So when you ask me what the law should be on marriage equality I in turn ask, what would love do?

I believe that love would allow people to do or be what makes them happy; to act in a way that feels authentic and true to them. (As long as it's not harming another soul or constricting another person's rights.)

Love would end discrimination wherever it still exits.

Love would live and let live.

There is still the question of whether or not homosexuality is a sin, so to speak.

To be honest, I struggle to think how someone naturally came out of their mother's womb could be inherently sinful. However, I do accept the testimonies of people who turned away from homosexuality once they committed their life to Christ, such as the powerful story of Ex-gay Hip Hop artist Jackie Hill-Perry

Certainly if you feel out of alignememt and that God is calling you to make a change and purify something out of your life, then do it.

I went through a similar process this past year, when I made the decision to cleanse my life of sexual activity and become celibate. That life felt "sinful" to me because it did not serve me and was veering me away from a sense of wholeness and the intimate relationship with God, that I wanted for myself.

That being said one thing that I disagree with gay culture about is its seeming encouragement of promiscuity. As I do believe that discipline around physical desires is a path of spiritual enlightenment. However, promiscuity and sexual irresponsibility is an issue in straight cultures as well, and technically you don't have to be straight to chose a path of sexual purity.

Straight people don't hold any monopoly on this stuff and I don't think we should hold a monopoly on marriage. It wasn't that long ago that we had to fight for blacks and whites to get married ... As long as it's two consenting adult human beings, let's give being inclusive a try.

What's the worst that could happen :

More children get adopted by now legally recognised gay parents and have a shot of having a family?

Young people questioning their sexual identity feel more freedom about choosing which they really feel akin to, because both kinds of marriage are equally valid?

Plus, I've been single and looking for my husband for eight years now ... If there are people out there who have found "The One"... Let's celebrate the fuck out of that!!

That's a feat in itself. Totally worthy of the pomp and officiousness of a wedding and the paperwork.

Just one thing, I've never been to a gay wedding and I hear they are a blast ...

If you are getting married after this plebiscite thing is done and dusted, please send an invite this way because ....

I'm voting "Yes!"