I’m surprised. I thought Christians were concerned about the state of marriage in America. I thought followers of Jesus had a lot to say about how marriage was intended to be one man, one woman, committed to each other for one lifetime. I thought that those who loved both God and God’s world were going to be there to remind us that marriage between a man and a woman is not simply a construct of society but the actual bedrock of society. I thought that thousands, no millions would be there to voice their alarm, their dismay, and to to fight back with a vengeance. But I was wrong. And I am suprised.
More than three weeks ago the California Supreme Court struck down the state’s ban on gay marriage. And yet it seems that there has been little to no reaction from those who believe in the biblical (as well sociological and anatomical) view of marriage. Perhaps what little reaction there is was overshadowed by debates over possible Democratic nominees for president, or earthquakes in China. Or, they’ve just stopped caring. Or, they’ve just given in to the inevitable. Or, they’re gathering steam for a big offensive…somehow I doubt it.
For an troubling but intriguing take on this ruling read Anna Quindlen’s Newsweek article. She cites a great quote about gay marriage from second century Rome. Although she fails to mention what ended up happening to Rome. Yes “love won” as she writes, but the people lost…then and now.
June 7th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
I read the article and it just reminded me even more so… how there seems to be more of a voice to protect immorality then to protect what is righteous and holy in the eyes of God. It is due to the non vocal individuals of our society Christians and non-Christians alike that have taken a back seat on any and all moral issues, believing that it is better to “Live and Let Live”, not accepting the responsibility or the facts that as we “Let Live” we are ultimately going to pay the price with our children, children’s children, and so forth. What kind of life will our children live in and what will they accept as normal and natural according to societies belief system….not to say that a parent cannot try to instill goodness and Godly decisions, but it does make it much harder as they grow up and are geared toward accepting society as a whole with the good, bad, and, the ugly through our school systems, media, television, radio, etc…Then there is the fear of church involvement because of church and state wanting to stay seperate, but it is necessary to get involved without breaking any laws, and be that voice. Not acting or speaking in such a way to shame Christ.
Christ + Committment + Challenge + Chaos = CHANGE. It takes a lot of mud slinging at you, unpopularity, tearful times, and much determination to go forward when no one else wants to go along with you… when you stand up for what is right, but when you are rooted strongly in God and work towards his Kingdom by taking that stand and encouraging others…even if you won’t see the manifistation of the results in the here and now, your children just may…Many of our Forefathers didn’t get to witness the magnitude of what they did in taking that small step of faith to stand up…but we are seeing it and living it even today in many ways. Many just don’t want to rock the boat for fear of what people will think…but if all remembered, that it is what God thinks then I believe that most, if not all would actually speak up against the marriage issues and morality.
June 7th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
P.s. Just yesterday I was shopping at JC Penny to find suitable bathing suits for my two youngest ages 5 & 7…I was not only shocked to find that it took me an entire hour to sift through suits in the little girls department to find something that actually covered her body. There was not one NO NOT ONE suit that was one piece that actually covered all viable parts and the entire front and back. These suits were designed to look like something that maybe a child prostitute would WEAR…. I then turned to notice that even the 5-9 yr old underclothing was something right out of Victoria’s Secret…WHAT IS GOING ON IN THIS WORLD? Have the retailers gone completely out of their minds?
June 23rd, 2008 at 11:59 am
Hey, what’s all this “they” stuff. We are “them” and we need to do something about it. We can write to our newspapers and politicians, sign petitions and even organize peaceful demonstrations. What are we waiting for.
June 26th, 2008 at 10:04 am
Right on, Ruthie! You caught it!!!
June 27th, 2008 at 12:51 am
Well, I don’t know what to say or where to begin. If I might, I would like to keep your first paragraph fresh in everyone’s mind Ms. Graff.
“how there seems to be more of a voice to protect immorality then to protect what is righteous and holy in the eyes of God. It is due to the non vocal individuals of our society Christians and non-Christians alike that have taken a back seat on any and all moral issues, believing that it is better to “Live and Let Live”, not accepting the responsibility or the facts that as we “Let Live” we are ultimately going to pay the price with our children, children’s children, and so forth. What kind of life will our children live in and what will they accept as normal and natural according to societies belief system….not to say that a parent cannot try to instill goodness and Godly decisions, but it does make it much harder as they grow up and are geared toward accepting society as a whole with the good, bad, and, the ugly through our school systems, media, television, radio, etc…Then there is the fear of church involvement because of church and state wanting to stay seperate, but it is necessary to get involved without breaking any laws, and be that voice. Not acting or speaking in such a way to shame Christ.”
I believe as a parent that the power is in your hands to raise your child in the eyes of God. It is your choice as to what you allow your child to become. Yes, there are outside factors that are numerous and you will never protect her from all of them, and you were meant to. But I believe that by her being exposed to them it will only make her a better person in Gods eyes and be the “forgiving” or maybe the “Educator” or maybe the one that “Steps up to the plate and Fights.”
My daughter is raised by a “village.” Me, her mother, her second mother, her Papa (grandfather) her grandmother, Aunt Tracy who is always around, cousin Ari, Sissy Nikki, Sissy Amanda, Cousin Jo Jo, Sissy Lisa, Uncle Jr….and so many more. She is a well balanced child, so loved, loves her mommy so very much and is like an octopus if I ever have to leave for somewhere and she has morals, and manners, and goes to church and does charity work. And know she has two mothers….two mothers who never once asked for any rights to Marry. It would be nice for one of us to be able to stay home and have medical benefits - 19 1/2 years together……I think we deserve that much….you can keep your marriage, if it means that much to you and it would damage your sense or morality. My daughter is doing just fine. An upstanding young lady in her class, helps out, does her work, helps with charity, does not see colors, or race or creed.
So raise your child they way you want them to be raised. Raise them in Gods eyes, His views, with his love they way he would have wanted. Brush aside the rest of the bad and the ugly….time will take of that mess, it always does.
June 27th, 2008 at 9:22 am
Thanks for sharing Dawn! Great comments and much appreciated.