Evangelical Alliance: "We aren't homophobic women-haters"

[Esquilax]

The problem with evangelicals being "homophobic women haters" rests with others who label them so. Evangelicals believe that homosexual relations are sinful and that women and men have different roles in the church and family. Others hear this and then say that they hate homosexuals and women. This perceived hatred is not embraced by evangelicals, but rather is assumed by other people who are ignorant of their beliefs.

Which is a very convenient position for the evangelicals to take, but it's also not one whit convincing: you don't get to shop off the beliefs you adopt onto your god, and pretend that you have no ownership over them. At best, this appeal to second hand beliefs is simply a "just following orders" excuse, but the Nuremburg defense is hardly convincing. At worst, the position is that though the evangelicals don't hate women and homosexuals, they willingly opt to follow a set of beliefs and mandated actions that look, sound, and behave, precisely like a group who hated women and homosexuals would.

In essence, it's an attempt to act in ways befitting homophobic, misogynistic bigots, while shirking all the negative reactions that such behaviors would produce in a progressive society. Like I said, it's very convenient.

Secondly, I think that homosexuals should have equal rights under the law with heterosexuals. They should have equal access to the privileges, protections, tax breaks, etc, that come with the married status. However, until recently, marriage, which is sacred to christians, has been defined as between a man and a woman. I don't believe it's right to redefine marriage and step on the toes of those who do consider it sacred. Equal rights can be allowed without redefining marriage.

Shockingly, this point doesn't become less fatuous the more it's repeated. Marriage is sacred to christians? Who cares? If I decided that the erasure of the christian religion was sacred to me, if I had a few hundred years of tradition in that, would you and your churches completely disband in order to avoid stepping on my toes? What if christian marriage ceremonies were offensive to my religion, does that mean they should stop? Or is it just your religious observances that should be held above the secular government?

Additionally, this talk of "redefining" marriage is an eye rolling crock, because the christian habit of redefining marriage is well storied. Multiple wives? Gone. Slaves via marriage? Gone. Interracial marriages? Now allowed. The definition of marriage has already been redefined, even in recent history. Why should you get to draw a line in the sand for future generations simply because it's convenient to you?