Because we do not subscribe to HBO we have been rather slow on the uptake with several series including The Wire, Boardwalk Empire, and now The Newsroom. We have taken to the Newsroom slowly, in part, perhaps, because there is so much blah, blah, blah. That is a signature of creator Aaron Sorkin who also gave us The West Wing. Hey, it is intelligent, socially liberal blah, blah, blah to be sure, but we get washed over by words at times.
By the end of Season 1, we were on board, and actually enjoying the themes being developed. While we were watching one episode, set in real-time 2011, the acerbic news anchor, Will McAvoy, makes a comment about the five states which have legalized same-gender marriage. Since I had my smart phone handy I did a quick check of how many states have now legalized same-gender marriage. It is now fifteen, with five more allowing civil unions http://features.pewforum.org/same-sex-marriage-state-by-state/
Of course there are many in the States and here in Canada, where equal marriage is the law in all provinces and territories, who would view this as the tragic moral decline of our culture. It is interesting, though, to see the shift in perceptions on homosexuality and the rights attached to orientation. This includes practitioners of different religions and various expressions of Christianity. While Canadians view Americans as more likely to engage in religion and to be conservative in their expression, surveys show that young evangelicals are inclined to be more accepting of their LGBTQ neighbours than their parents. Surely we have far too many letters in that acronym...but I digress.
I know from previous blog entries that opinions on the subject range from "let's get on with it" to "we have to accept the slow pace of change" to "why did this become acceptable in the first place?" I do sense that for many, many Christians this has been a steady working-through. Good people attempt to discern what is moral and just, often wrestling with values and perspectives formed in childhood. In many instances it involves relationships with friends, family members, co-workers who are loved and respected and simply want to be treated equally. Many heterosexuals have come to realize that gay marriage is not a threat to their marriages or anyone else's. Many gays and lesbians have concluded that they are loved and accepted by God despite what they were taught, and choose not to live in shame.
I'm not sure what to ask you, in light of previous conversations, but I'm tossing in out there. It's always good to hear from you.
3 comments:
The only threat to heterosexual marriage is/are heterosexuals themselves, for many reasons - infidelity, marrying for the wrong reasons, inability to commit to a long term relationship, "surprises" in the relationship (lack of honesty), lack of understanding how to love another, etc ... same is true for all human relationships.
Annnnd, Judy just hit a home run. Outta here. Well said.
I have a unique perspective on these kinds of issues, what with two dudes in my immediate family who bat for the other team (just thought I'd carry that baseball metaphor on a little longer, folks.)
At any rate, the only "moral" position present for me when it comes to people flying the rainbow flag is that they feel included and that they contribute positively to society. I could care less what ANYONE does in their bedroom, gay straight, or somewhere in between. It's none of my business, and it should be no-one else's, either.
Well said, Ian!
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