Theological reflection on gay marriage ruling in California
News release:
By Rev. Durrell Watkins
"[On the Sabbath] Jesus said to the man with a withered hand, 'Come here, stretch out your hand.' And he stretched forth his hand and it was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against Jesus." (Mark 3.3-6).
The religious rule was unambiguous, no work on the Sabbath, and that included healing. But Jesus wasn't one to be tyrannized by traditions, or rules that were oppressively applied. And so when Religion tried to keep people out, Jesus redefined Religion to be more inclusive, life-giving, and affirming.
Whenever prejudice would try to cloak itself in Religion, Jesus would challenge it and dare to allow Religion to become liberating rather than legalistic. Deuteronomy 20.17 calls for the destruction of Canaanites (among other enemies of the Israelites). So, it's no surprise in Matthew 15 that Jesus is initially dismissive of a Canaanite woman who comes to him for help. What is surprising is that he listens to her and changes his attitude toward her. Instead of using scripture as a defense of his prejudice, Jesus chose to see his "enemy" as a child of God and he responded with compassion rather than with religiously sanctioned hatred. The scene ends with Jesus praising the woman's faith and offering the help she sought.
In the gospels, we see Jesus embracing women, children, Samaritans, Canaanites, people who were mentally and physically ill (at a time when illness was thought to be caused by demons), even a Roman centurion (when Rome was the empire that occupied his homeland and would execute him). Jesus consistently pushed past the temptation of demonizing difference. Even when his own scriptures seemed to allow for hatred of the "Other," Jesus chose to think in new ways.
Yesterday, we received some very good news about California upholding the dignity and equality of its gay and lesbian citizens who wish to marry. In the weeks and months ahead, we will hear religious voices condemning this liberating act, and we will hear them quoting scripture, church law, and tradition to justify their fear and revulsion of same-gender love and attraction. What we will want to remember through it all is that Religion can be wrong; and when Religion uses God's name in vain in order to exclude, marginalize, control, or demonize a group of people, we can be certain that it is wrong.
There are religious voices conspiring against "liberty and justice for ALL," but like Jesus, we can remain faithful to the values of empowerment and healing. I am very grateful for yesterday's news. I'm grateful for places like Vermont and Massachusetts and California that have led the way in the pursuit of fairness and equality. And I call on all progressives, those who embrace religion and those who do not, to continue working for equal opportunity for all people. Heterosexism has worn the mask of religion long enough. Let's be like Jesus. When Religion tries to demonize difference, let's insist on thinking in new and empowering ways.
Durrell Watkins is the Senior Pastor of Sunshine Cathedral in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Posted by Steve Rothaus at 05:04 PM on May 16, 2008 in Bisexual , Business , Current Affairs , Gay , Lesbian , LGBT , Media , Politics , Religion , Transgender , Weblogs , Workplace , Youth | Permalink
I'm a married straight man that worked for to allow gay & lesbian people to be married in Massachusetts. It wasn't always easy and as a state many of us feel ostracized for the stand that was taken, so thank you for recognizing the effort.
It is often said that the wheels of justice grind slow, but they grind exceeding fine. It will likely take many years for the DOMA acts to fall, but fall they will. When states like Massachusetts and California legalize equal marriage and the sky doesn't fall it gives others a bit more courage to do the right thing.
Tom from MA
Posted by: Tom from MA | May 17, 2008 at 03:54 PM