| Thinking about Prop 8 and the nation-wide effort to block gay marriage by a number of Christian churches reminded me of this picture (via Wonkette):
(Also, check out the video.)
What the h*ll's going on, you ask? It's a group of 700 Club Christians praying to God to restore the economy. Over a golden calf. Seriously.
So what does this have to do with gay marriage? Simple. Pat Robertson and the other televangelicals and mega-church leaders have risen to political prominence on the issues of abortion and gay marriage -- really, issues not at all central to the gospel. In short, they've used these issues to attack groups with little political or economic power -- gays and impoverished women -- while...well, I think the picture explains where the interests of many church leaders lie.
Now I don't mean this to be attack on my neighbors or friends who are conservative Christians. I do understand they feel that homosexuality is a sin, and against what God instructs. Personally, I feel they're misguided -- and no doubt they feel the same about me -- but I'm not going to deny them their beliefs. (Believe me, I'd consider disowning my son if he announced he was going to marry a Yankee fan.)
Too often it seems that those who brandish the issue are looking for a way to raise funds, stir up the electorate against their own economic and political best interests, and to use religion to advance their own political ambition. But the issue isn't about religion, it's about the state, and whether we use the power of government to define how citizens operate their personal lives. |
