Screwing with the language.
.
It's hard to keep up with the same sex marriage debate. One gay celebrity blogger from Australia says it's a civil issue, not a religious issue - civil as opposed to sacramental. I don't want to get into it here except to say - it seems to be a really convincing argument that a lot of people can get on board with - especially Catholics who limit their practice of religion to Christmas and Easter, and maybe St. Patrick's day if they drink. I'm not judging - just thinking of people like my mom and my sister who identify as Catholic but disagree with Catholic teaching and the need to go to Mass or receive the sacraments, much less take instruction.
.
So any way - I noted on
The Anchoress' blog that there is some sort of online symposium happening - I didn't read the details, but one contributor came out with something, as Elizabeth noted, that 'may turn a few heads.' It turned mine - mainly because it fits right in with gay celebrity blogger's promotional rants in support of gay marriage legislation. (I smell a conspiracy theory!)
.
Fighting Gay Marriage is a Lost Cause:
.
The American assumption is weak, though, from a philosophical and cultural perspective, and wrong from a Christian theological perspective. The weakness lies in the fact that this logic about marriage is divorced from a philosophical or theological anthropology, rooting itself more in a model of law known as social contract. A social contract is basically an agreement among people about how they as a society will act. According to an American version of this theory, law is good if it reflects the will of the majority. And since the majority of people are coming to embrace the economic partnership model, the law ought to reflect that model. Over time, that model will likely have to include all sorts of legal partnerships as public opinion continues to change. - Theologian Tim Muldoon found on
Anchoress
.
That's the argument.
.
As for legal partnerships, same sex partners or couples or a man and his best friend can do that legally with a good attorney and never have to call it marriage.
.
Regarding
'social contracts governing how people in society will act' - today such contracts are easily dissolved (some prefer 'evolved') by whatever social construct is deemed trendy and fashionable.
.
The notion of
'governing by public/popular opinion' is just scary.
.
The real news is that most, if not
all of the bishops of this country do not see fighting gay marriage as a lost cause.
.
I hope faithful Catholics will not give up the fight - even if the entire world seems to be against you and makes fun of your faith.
Disclaimer: No Anchoresses, blogger celebrities, or theologians were under attack by this post - I'm simply expressing an opinion.
