Shalom:
Ah Marriage.
It has been a major topic of discussion these past few days, sometimes a rather heated one at times.
The heart of this discussion; who may and may not marry. Is marriage a right or a choice? Is it a matter of religion only or it a civil right.
All of this reminds me of Pandora's Box:
In Greek mythology, Pandora was the first woman on Earth. Zeus ordered Hephaestus, the god of craftsmanship, to create her. Obeying, Hephaestus created the woman out water and earth. The gods endowed her with many gifts. From Athena, clothing. From Aphrodite beauty. From Hermes the gift of speech.
When Prometheus stole fire from heaven, Zeus took vengeance by presenting Pandora to Epimetheus Prometheus' brother. Zeus gave Pandora a beautiful container which she was not to open under any circumstance. Impelled by her curiosity given to her by the gods, Pandora opened it, and all evil contained therein escaped and spread over the earth. She hastened to close the container, but the whole contents had escaped, except for one thing that lay at the bottom, which was the angel of Hope named Astrea. Pandora was deeply saddened by what she had done, and was afraid that she would have to face Zeus' wrath, since she had failed her duty; however, Zeus did not punish Pandora; because he knew this would happen.
Frankly, I believe is what is happening with the subject same-sex marriage.
This subject is close to my heart, because there was a time in our recent history that Mark and I would have broken the law by getting married. It was only about forty year ago that it was illegal for blacks and whites to marry. In fact, the ground breaking couple's love led to the changing of this law was from Virginia.
Still, there are people who use the bible to condemn such marriages. There are even places of worship that would not conduct such a wedding service or even receive Mark and I as members.
With allowing couples like Mark and I to wed, the law opened the door to all Americans to marry whomever they wished.
And there lies the rub.
For the United States holds to marriage "is between one man and one woman." So while interracial couples are free to marry, same-sex couples or relationship with more than one partner are not consider valid.
While the legal age of marriage varies from state to state, a teenager must be at least 18 years old in order to marry without his or her parents permission.
While many hate the very thought, this nation was founded on the principles and morals taken from the Scriptures. Including our view on marriage. That is why, there was a time in our history, one could actually be fined or even go to jail for living without the benefit of Clergy (living in sin) for committing adultery, homosexuality, and still on the books, incest and polygamy. Each were (and still are) seen as forms of perversion and distortions of marriage, both in the biblical and legal sense. While many still feel this is a christian nation, no church or religious system governments our land.
Therefore, the opinions I am about to share are my alone and should not be taken as a political stance, but a moral one.
As a Torah Observer, I do hold to marriage as one man-one woman.
One of Adam's jobs was the naming of the animals. This meant his being time with them, getting to know them before he named them. And in the watching of each beast, Adam would realise his fellowship with the animal kingdom was rather limited. Oh sure, he could talk and walk with the lions, swim with the fish and play fetch with Fido. But the relationships with each could only go just so far. As he watched the animals with their mates, his own heart longed for a companion. Someone to love and to love him in return.
So, that is why G-d said: "it is not good for the Man to be alone..." And that is why He put Adam to sleep and with the taking of a rib, He formed Adam's beloved and brought her to him. "And they became one flesh."
Therefore sex is for;
1. Love. Loving making is the most tender, intimate, sweetness act of love. All five senses are involved and it both joins and seals the husband and wife. Love G-d rejoices in
2. Fellowship. Loving making is the most tender, intimate, sweetness of all fellowship. A fellowship G-d rejoices in.
3. Pleasure. Loving making is the most tender, intimate, sweetness of pleasure. A pleasure G-d rejoices in.
4. Pro-creation. Yes, children is placed fourth. Because while children are important and the fruit of the womb, the blessing of your love. But the marriage, the love of the couple is more important.
Marriage was and is so important to G-d, that to commit an sex act outside marriage (whether with someone the same or the opposite sex, or the family pet) was met with death.
For me, according to Torah, sex outside of marriage is wrong. And no, I don't go around stoning folks. And just as same-sex intercourse is wrong, so is cheating on your wife or husband, so is seducing an underage child, so is stealing and lying.
And while I am against same-sex marriage, I am also against polygamy:
Who are we to judge if a many wants to marry his dead girlfriend?
Or a grandson wanting to marry his grandmother?
No, I am not making fun or light of this issue. I have friends who are gay and they know where I stand. I know too well the pain this subject brings some of them. I also have friends, both gay and straight who don't see what the big deal is. The thought of a committed relationship makes them want to puke, so the whole thing is lost on them. The question that I raise, (yes, I know, I of all people) if same-sex marriage is allowed, where does it stop?
I'm just asking the question: do we really want to take the top off this box?
Ah Marriage.
It has been a major topic of discussion these past few days, sometimes a rather heated one at times.
The heart of this discussion; who may and may not marry. Is marriage a right or a choice? Is it a matter of religion only or it a civil right.
All of this reminds me of Pandora's Box:
When Prometheus stole fire from heaven, Zeus took vengeance by presenting Pandora to Epimetheus Prometheus' brother. Zeus gave Pandora a beautiful container which she was not to open under any circumstance. Impelled by her curiosity given to her by the gods, Pandora opened it, and all evil contained therein escaped and spread over the earth. She hastened to close the container, but the whole contents had escaped, except for one thing that lay at the bottom, which was the angel of Hope named Astrea. Pandora was deeply saddened by what she had done, and was afraid that she would have to face Zeus' wrath, since she had failed her duty; however, Zeus did not punish Pandora; because he knew this would happen.
Frankly, I believe is what is happening with the subject same-sex marriage.
Still, there are people who use the bible to condemn such marriages. There are even places of worship that would not conduct such a wedding service or even receive Mark and I as members.
With allowing couples like Mark and I to wed, the law opened the door to all Americans to marry whomever they wished.
And there lies the rub.
For the United States holds to marriage "is between one man and one woman." So while interracial couples are free to marry, same-sex couples or relationship with more than one partner are not consider valid.
While the legal age of marriage varies from state to state, a teenager must be at least 18 years old in order to marry without his or her parents permission.
While many hate the very thought, this nation was founded on the principles and morals taken from the Scriptures. Including our view on marriage. That is why, there was a time in our history, one could actually be fined or even go to jail for living without the benefit of Clergy (living in sin) for committing adultery, homosexuality, and still on the books, incest and polygamy. Each were (and still are) seen as forms of perversion and distortions of marriage, both in the biblical and legal sense. While many still feel this is a christian nation, no church or religious system governments our land.
Therefore, the opinions I am about to share are my alone and should not be taken as a political stance, but a moral one.
As a Torah Observer, I do hold to marriage as one man-one woman.
One of Adam's jobs was the naming of the animals. This meant his being time with them, getting to know them before he named them. And in the watching of each beast, Adam would realise his fellowship with the animal kingdom was rather limited. Oh sure, he could talk and walk with the lions, swim with the fish and play fetch with Fido. But the relationships with each could only go just so far. As he watched the animals with their mates, his own heart longed for a companion. Someone to love and to love him in return.
So, that is why G-d said: "it is not good for the Man to be alone..." And that is why He put Adam to sleep and with the taking of a rib, He formed Adam's beloved and brought her to him. "And they became one flesh."
Therefore sex is for;
1. Love. Loving making is the most tender, intimate, sweetness act of love. All five senses are involved and it both joins and seals the husband and wife. Love G-d rejoices in
2. Fellowship. Loving making is the most tender, intimate, sweetness of all fellowship. A fellowship G-d rejoices in.
3. Pleasure. Loving making is the most tender, intimate, sweetness of pleasure. A pleasure G-d rejoices in.
4. Pro-creation. Yes, children is placed fourth. Because while children are important and the fruit of the womb, the blessing of your love. But the marriage, the love of the couple is more important.
Marriage was and is so important to G-d, that to commit an sex act outside marriage (whether with someone the same or the opposite sex, or the family pet) was met with death.
For me, according to Torah, sex outside of marriage is wrong. And no, I don't go around stoning folks. And just as same-sex intercourse is wrong, so is cheating on your wife or husband, so is seducing an underage child, so is stealing and lying.
And while I am against same-sex marriage, I am also against polygamy:
So we allow same-sex marriage. Where would it stop?
After all, this man only wants to marry the one he loves....
No, I am not making fun or light of this issue. I have friends who are gay and they know where I stand. I know too well the pain this subject brings some of them. I also have friends, both gay and straight who don't see what the big deal is. The thought of a committed relationship makes them want to puke, so the whole thing is lost on them. The question that I raise, (yes, I know, I of all people) if same-sex marriage is allowed, where does it stop?
I'm just asking the question: do we really want to take the top off this box?
2 comments:
I agree with your thoughts, Lanie. The Bible, therefore God, defines what marriage is; if that is how God intended it, that is good enough for me. I don't need to redefine it or change his law about it :)
betty
Yes, we DO need to take the top off of this box in order for every American to have the same rights that the rest of us have.
I think you know how I feel about it, and perhaps you've read my thoughts on it. Marriage is a civic institution, and no one is legally married until they have that license from the state government. Ken and I were not married in a church, or by a pastor, and we don't have children...but we are legally married.
I want everyone to have that right.
I respectfully, but completely, disagree with you on this matter.
Post a Comment