Deb, thanks for putting into the words the vague questions going through my mind this week. It’s tough to know where to push forward and where to recede. Oden is right that we need to still share Christ, in contrast to what the world (“Caesar”) offers. That should be the primary focus of our lives, always. However, I cannot see that we would step back from our roles as individual citizens with regard to voting, continuing to be educated about the differences between candidates, issues, bills, etc. It’s painful to realize that more and more of the world around us, even the “nice” people, just do not want what we have. They don’t want WHOM we have. I sometimes find myself thinking that one day they will have things the way they seem to want them, when Christians are either completely marginalized or removed altogether. But we still have to keep occupying and trying to influence while we may.

Oden, your countrymen thank you for choosing to honor the rights with which they were endowed by their creator—-particularly the right to the pursuit of happniness.

Thank you also for pointing out that God and Caesar (the government) are running two completely separate programs, and that Christians were never commanded to go banging on Caesar’s door demanding that he use his Earthly power to wrest Christian behavior out of their neighbors.

I dissagree heartily though, with your assessment of the morality of this situation. Judge Walker, for example, chose to uphold a vow he took—-a vow he probably took before God (as in “….so help me God”) to protect and defend the constitution above all else. The Fourteenth Amendment required him to uphold equal protection under the law for all Americans. In his court, the proponents of the California ban against gay marriage could not support any of the claims they brought against gay couples. So he regarded it as false witness which they had brought against their neighbors. Does it really sound to you like he acted immorally? If so, bring it up at the shores of the lake of fire, and see what Jesus has to say.

I appreciate this analysis and believe it is right in terms of acting as a Christian per se. However, I agree with Kim. We are also citizens of a democracy – a democracy whose foundation is Judaeo-Christian. To subvert the values inherent in that democracy (as in accepting “gay marriage”), is to undermine the society built on them. So, as a Christian per se I may be excused from fighting against this, but as a citizen who, because of my Christian belief system, can see the danger of accepting “gay marriage,” I must continue to oppose it.

Saint to saint, Christians who happen to be gay are on the same level as those who happen not to be gay because those who believe and confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord are the same ones who have a standing in grace that can not be taken away. Ro 5:2. Jesus said no one can take you out of my hand, John wrote whosoever believes in me will have eternal life and also wrote about Jesus that,behold I stand at the door and knock, whosoever opens…Christian gays are beyond seeking your approval, come and worship with us. We have a lot to teach you about humility.