The Olympian
editorial board was wondering out loud yesterday if the Governor's effort to
pass a same-sex marriage bill will cause lawmakers to "be so distracted by
the contentious issue that they let it divert them from their primary
purpose---balancing the budget."
However, there was a more poignant back story in their comments. A
story of a woman's conflict with her faith, her responsibilities of leadership
and what she has accepted as "equality."
She told the press earlier this week, "I have been on my own
journey, I'll admit that."
The Olympian pointed out that the Governor's new found position on
marriage is in clear conflict with her church---the Catholic church and its
bishops in Washington State.
Greg Magnoni, spokesman for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of
Seattle, also said this week his church would be "looking for the
Legislature to uphold the current legal definition of marriage as between a man
and a woman." The position of the Catholic Church is clear.
The Governor admits she has struggled with the marriage issue for
the past 7 years.
In defending her new found position she told the press, "This
is about my personal faith. I came to understand my religion is one thing, but
as governor of the state and as a human being, I believe in equality."
It is indeed conflicting to believe something and act in
opposition to that belief.
While the Governor crossed the threshold on the sanctity of life
and became an advocate for abortion some time ago, she has remained conflicted
on marriage. Believing one thing while doing something else is always
difficult.
It is written that double minded people become unstable in all
their ways.
But how does the idea of "equality" and
"fairness" square with her position on abortion. Doesn't the baby in
the womb have a right to live---equal to the right of other children whose
mothers chose not to kill them?
And does legalizing same-sex "marriage" really create
equality? What about polygamous groups who love each other and have long term
relationships? What about closely related couples, brother and sister, father
and daughter, first cousins, etc? What about their equality and fairness?
Marriage was not created on the basis of equality or fairness. It
was created as a relationship between a man and a woman for much greater
purposes and every major religion and every successful civilization has
recognized its importance and rewarded and honored its existence. Until now.
Re-defining marriage is not an act of equality. It's an act of
conferring "special rights" to a certain group because of political
pressure.
Can a culture be morally neutral? Can religion and morality be one
thing while actions something else?
It is written that a double minded man or woman is unstable in all
their ways. Being morally conflicted is difficult.
Scripture teaches that for those who know to do right and not do
so, is sin. Sin can be conflicting. It is possible, but very emotionally and
spiritually challenging to have been taught the truth, then to walk away from
it.
It is also emotionally and spiritually conflicting to say you
believe something, then advocate against it, while washing your hands of the
consequences. Pilate discovered that truth.
I pray that the Governor will reconsider the teaching in her home
and her church when she was a child. And rediscover the truth. And be free.
Gary Randall is Founder of Faith and Family Network
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