This is our first brain teaser in the A.M.E. Today Discussion area.

The question is whether same sex marriages should be recognized by denominations. The second part of the question is, if a minister performs such a "marriage" without it being sanctioned by the church, what should happen to him or her.

Rev. John

-- Anonymous, March 14, 1998

Answers

First I'd like to thank you Rev. Fisher for the forum. I realize because of the times we're living in we can't stick our heads in the sand and not address these spiritual and social issues, but it is troubling in my spirit that there should even be debate about endorsing this activity. The Word of God speaks clearly on the act of homosexuality in several places in the scriptures, (Romans 1:26-27) and even so,the homosexual community has done a very good job in countering the truth with their Metropolitan Church by deemphasizing the indisputable, and completely changing interpretation in other places to make their CHOSEN lifestyle seem "natural" and more palatable to both the secular and sadly, the Christian communities. The textbook response of some who would read these comments would be that I am a right-wing, intolerant,bigoted, hatemonger, well, that is not true!! Many times the facts contradict the TRUTH. The facts are that many have accepted this lifestyle as normal and moral and even glibly say that they were "born this way." But the truth is that we were made in God's image. (Ephesians 2:10) I do NOT hate, dislike, disdain, reject homosexual people, but I hate the ACT of homosexuality because God calls it sin and a abomination as should any person confessing Jesus as Lord. Fornication (sex before marriage), and Adultery are also sinful and their argument of we couldn't help it, we love each other, and we were meant to be are equally stink in the nostrils of a Holy God. But that's not the end....The loving nature of God is not to "send us to hell" but to after showing us our sin, give us a way of escape, forgiveness, and freedom from sin (Romans 6:22) through the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. We as followers of Jesus must ask God to perfect our love for mankind so fear will be cast out. Then we can readily risk offending those we know to be in ANY type of sin by loving them enough to tell them what God has to say about sinning against Him and about the cleansing power of the Blood of Jesus!!

-- Anonymous, March 16, 1998

By definition marriage is a union between one man and one woman. I would not sanction nor perform a same sex marriage.

-- Anonymous, March 20, 1998

In the book of Romans(NIV) it states: "...Because of this God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion." We need to stop fooling ourselves and making exceptions for things that God has already declared as an abomination. If we say to homosexuals on earth that it is okay then we are not saying what the Lord says. People think this is an epidemic that has just exploded in the 1990's. This was going on even in Biblical times. I love my brothers and sisters, because we all fall short from glory. But as a Christian and a believer in the AME doctrine I have to stand for what righteousness says is right, not what man says is permissible, for man is not going to get me into heaven, Jesus is. If a minister performs the marriage, in my opinion he needs to reevaluate the Bible and pray for better understanding. Also he should be suspended from his duties as a minister. A question or comment I have is "If we as Christians dont stand up for righteousness, who will?"

-- Anonymous, July 14, 1998

I'd like to know why this is a "brain teaser"? It's awfully straight- forward, and simple. In response to question 2: Suspended?... Removed!

-- Anonymous, August 20, 1999