Great article in The Atlantic by Brandon Ambrosino, a young gay man who supports same-sex marriage but rejects the idea that to oppose gay marriage makes a person anti-gay (i.e., a homophobe). An excerpt: Disagreement is not the same thing as discrimination. Our language ought to reflect that distinction. I would argue that an essential feature of the term “homophobia” must include personal animus or malice toward the gay community. Simply having reservations about gay marriage might be anti-gay marriage, but if the reservations are articulated in a respectful way, I see no reason to … [Read more...] about Being Against Gay Marriage Doesn’t Make You a Homophobe
With One Voice
We Need New Methods in the Fight for Marriage
A great set of posts by Greg Forster (PhD, Yale University) on what he sees as key disadvantages in employing either natural law arguments or explicitely Christian/biblical defenses of marriage in today's cultural landscape. In short, he sees both as unconvincing to those predisposed to endorse same-sex "marriage." Instead, he offers a new path forward. Excerpt: We must speak the truth about sexuality and romance in the language of sexuality and romance. This can't be a special, private sexual language for Christians that others will need to learn. It must be a language that speaks to people … [Read more...] about We Need New Methods in the Fight for Marriage
President Clinton Flips on DOMA
Want an indication of how quickly the cultural landscape has shifted on the issue of same-sex "marriage"? In a Washington Post op-ed today, President Clinton flipped on DOMA, arguing that the law he signed 17 years ago, opposed by only 81 of the 535 members of Congress, is in fact unconstitutional. The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is one of two major marriage-related cases to be heard by the Supreme Court in the near future. The other has to do with the Proposition 8 law passed in the state of CA in 2008, and is scheduled for oral arguments later this month. Emily Belz explains the … [Read more...] about President Clinton Flips on DOMA
Raising Kids in a Pornified Culture
Great post from Pastor Zach Nielsen on Raising Kids in a Pornified Culture. His points: 1. Aim to give our kids a huge view of God who is gloriously delightful. 2. Teach them the gospel. Our kids are spring-loaded legalists. 3. Teach them that boundaries bring freedom and obedience is a blessing. 4. Talk to them sooner than later about sex and internet porn. … [Read more...] about Raising Kids in a Pornified Culture
Why Are Conservatives Losing The Marriage Debate?
Rod Dreher quotes a young adult who supports gay marriage: Your conception of marriage, the traditional one, is that a man and a woman get married for the purpose of procreation. Marriage isn’t really about romantic love in this conception, but rather a framework for the rearing of children. If we take for granted that this is what marriage is, then I don’t think it’s bigoted at all to not have gay marriage, so long as the coupling is respected. The problem for people my age is this: your definition of marriage was displaced prior to our lifetime. I have no memory of when that definition … [Read more...] about Why Are Conservatives Losing The Marriage Debate?
The Reality That Awaits Women in Combat
You've probably heard that Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey signed an order rescinding the ban on women serving in combat units. In today's WSJ, Ryan Smith, former Marine infantry squad leader, describes the reality that awaits women in combat. Fair warning: His account is gruesome at times, but his argument is probably one that very few have considered. An excerpt: I served in the 2003 invasion of Iraq as a Marine infantry squad leader. We rode into war crammed in the back of amphibious assault vehicles. They are designed to hold roughly 15 … [Read more...] about The Reality That Awaits Women in Combat