SOGI ordinance opponents not biblical enough
We shouldn't be surprised that several Christians have recently used the Bible as a weapon against the LGBTQ community in Springfield, particularly when it comes to the matter of relationships and, by extension, equal rights. To insist that scripture is clear about marriage being between one man and one woman (which is the primary claim that leads opponents of SOGI to say that Christians shouldn't have to go against their beliefs if they wish to discriminate against gay and transgender people) is quite true. The problem, however, is that these arguments aren't biblical enough. If we're going to insist that biblical norms related to human sexuality and relationships dictate the laws of the land (although last time we checked, we live in a democracy, not a theocracy), then we need to embrace everything the Bible teaches about human sexuality and relationships, beginning with marriage.
From a biblical perspective, we can insist that marriage is between one man and one woman, but what else? Aside from women being literally treated as property, should we also insist that a woman who is the victim of assault marry her attacker (Deuteronomy 22)? Should we pass a law stating that a widow with no sons must marry her brother-in-law in order to keep God's command (Genesis 38 and Deuteronomy 25)? Perhaps we should prohibit U.S. citizens from marrying non-citizens (Deuteronomy 7, Ezra 9, and Nehemiah 13). Or we could invoke the examples of David and Solomon and legalize polygamy.
Should divorce be outlawed, since Jesus himself unequivocally condemns it in Luke 16 and Mark 10? Should all divorcees be denied the right to remarry (1 Corinthians 7)? Or, in terms of equal rights, perhaps all women who hold supervisory roles over men should be fired by legal precedent and be replaced by men (1 Timothy 2)? Why aren't Christians trying to prohibit such things, since they represent clear violations of biblical principles? Based on this criteria, shouldn't a Christian have the right to deny housing to someone who is divorced, or fire an employee for getting remarried? For this is the precise logic that opponents to SOGI invoke.
Whether they're aware of it or not, Christians who stand opposed to equal rights, protections, and relationships for LGBT people aren't doing so on biblical grounds. Rather, they draw on a select few verses that support their previously held beliefs and assumptions. And in case you're keeping count, there are twice as many verses cited in this article alone than all the references in the Bible (six at most) that are used to condemn LGBT people.
When it comes to making decisions based on faith, let's appeal not to our worst instincts, but to the timeless truths of love and dignity that our sacred traditions point to at their very best. As Christian pastors, we're in favor of "No repeal" — not because all of our traditions have been perfect in all times and places, but because love is the one thing that is (1 John 4).
Rev. Darryl J. Schafer is Senior Minister at Billings Christian Church
Rev. Phil Snider is Senior Minister at Brentwood Christian Church