The Biblical view of marriage is given in Gen 2:18-25 and is reinforced by Jesus (Matt 19:3-4, Mk 10:2-9). Marriage is between a man and a woman. There are obvious problems with the notion of homosexual marriage, the first being that homosexual practice is not physically or sexually compatible. Anal sex in males frequently leads to tearing of the fragile anal tissue and sphincter and an increase in diseases such as HIV, Anal Cancer, Chlamydia trachomatis, Cryptosporidium, Giardia lamblia, Herpes simplex virus, Human papilloma virus, Isospora belli, Microsporidia, Gonorrhea, Viral hepatitis types B & C and Syphilis[1].
- [1] (a) Anne Rompalo. “Sexually Transmitted Causes of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Homosexual Men.” Medical Clinics of North America 74. 6 (November 1990): 1633-1645. Print;
(b)“Overview – Safer Sex & STD Prevention for Gay & Bi Men.” LGBT Health Channel. 01 Aug. 2001. Web. 01 Oct. 2010. <http://lgbthealth.healthcommunities.com/stdmsm/index.shtml>.;
(c)“Overview, Anal Anatomy, STDs, Anal Health, Anal Cancer – Anal Health.” LGBT Health Channel. 01 Aug. 2001. Web. 01 Oct. 2010. <http://lgbthealth.healthcommunities.com/analhealth/index.shtml>.
Homosexual women are also not exempt from physical problems such as bacterial vaginosis (with 30% of women who had had sexual encounters with only other women within the prior year suffering from this), Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C (see here for details.)
Moreover, there is considerable evidence that children living in homosexual households tend to suffer a greater risk of clinical emotional problems, developmental problems, or use of mental health treatment services than those living in heterosexual households. No one wishes to dispute that children living in heterosexual households can also face troubles, but the fact remains that the Biblical view of marriage gives a complementary unit of male and female to help and to guide. Men and women are undoubtedly different biologically, hormonally and neurologically (as proved by a recent study by Ragini Verma, a researcher at the University of Pennsylvania), but God (who is spirit, neither male nor female) has ordained that heterosexual marriage (a committed, loving relationship between a man and a woman) should be the basis for family life, the building block of society.
Where does this leave those who are attracted to members of the same sex, then? Is there no hope? Are they simply doomed to a life of loneliness, condemnation and judgment? The gospel of Christ is good news to us all and, as this video from Living Out shows us, those who experience same sex attraction do not necessarily have to be identified by this; they choose to see their identity as disciples of Christ first and foremost and commit to living by biblical values, choosing not to engage in homosexual practice, even if they are attracted to others of the same sex. Vaughan comments in this video that we are all broken in some way; we live in a fallen, broken world and every one of us has to face the incredibly high standards God has for sexual purity and work with Him to maintain these standards. Nonetheless, with God’s help (2 Cor 12:8-10), acceptance and help from fellow Christians and a daily dependence on God’s grace and power, there is hope for us all. All of us are accepted by God because of His grace through faith, a gift of God we gratefully receive, wherever we are broken. When we are weak, then God’s power can be seen most clearly, shining through our brokenness and leading us ultimately to that perfection we all crave.