Same-Sex Marriage in Canada

Is there a place in the church for people who are homosexual or involved in a same-sex relationship?

If yes, where do they fit in?

If no, why should there not be a place?

I find it interesting that most, if not all, responses to question 1 (How do you define marriage?) mentioned both God and government but then focused on one or the other as being more important. If not more important, at least more significant in Canada.

Without unfairly putting words in anyone's mouth, it may be safe to make at least two assumptions. One: those who emphasized God in their answer would likely say marriage is more of a spiritual act. And two: those who emphasized government in their answer would likely say marriage is more a legal act. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Question #2: Is it possible to bring God and government together?

(PS ... feel free to keep discussing question one ...)

As I've mentioned already, please feel free to contribute to this discussion as you can. You don't have to include your name in your posting. Go through the entire conversation as an anonymous blogger, if you want.

Also, there's an FAQ section on the right side of this page to help you with a few questions you might have.

Be sure to check the comments after each posting to follow the conversations.

Thanks for checking in!

How do you define marriage?

In a nutshell, C-38 is a bill that was passed by the Senate in July 2005 which expanded the traditional definition of marriage in Canada.

Prior to Bill C-38, Canadian law recognized civil marriage as an exclusively heterosexual insititution, the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others.

To quote the opening statements of Bill C-38: The Marriage Act:

The Bill codifies a definition of marriage for the first time in Canadian law, expanding on the traditional common-law understanding of civil marriage as an exclusively heterosexual institution. Bill C-38 defines civil marriage as "the lawful union of two persons to the exclusion of all others," thus extending civil marriage to conjugal couples of the same sex.

This is important to the Canadian evangelical church for a variety of reasons, many of which I anticipate will be brought up through the course of this conversation. What do you think should be important to the church right now?

In light of this, the reality remains that the church in Canada is facing issues that go far beyond an updated definition of marriage. Suddenly, The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms has been very purposefully launched into the limelight. This debate is no longer just about same-sex couples. It's also about the rights and freedoms of homosexual people in general, whether they are in a relationship or not.

There is little doubt that Bill C-38 has ushered in a new set of questions. The challenge here is that the answers to the questions are about as clear as mud.

Welcome to this blog. As the title suggests, the discussion here will deal with same-sex marriage in Canada. In particular, I hope the discussion will turn in the direction of how the evangelical Christian Church in Canada is dealing with this issue. How things are going, how they should be going, how things need to change. It's all open for discussion.

This blog is also serving a larger purpose. As part of my graduate education, I am required to complete a major research project. This is the subject I have chosen. You may think I'm crazy. Somedays, I wonder myself. But there is no question in my mind that this is an issue that is ever-so-subtly creeping up on the church. In fact, it has already shown itself in a few instances. In spite of this, however, churches all across our country are unsure of at least two things: (a) how they would handle a situation if it ever arose, if it hasn't already; and (b) if they haven't dealt with it, what they need to do to start thinking about it. Most people have an idea of how volatile this can be, but just as many have no idea what to do next.

That's where you come in. Over the next little while, I'd like to begin an ongoing conversation with you and many others about how the church - how your church - can and / or should respond to the same-sex marriage issue. What is your church doing? How are they preparing? Have they done anything at all? How has your church educated you about Bill C-38?

If you just read that last question and you're wondering what in the world Bill C-38 is, you're still welcome to be part of this discussion. Even though you may not be familiar with that terminology, you are likely somewhat familiar - even only vaguely familiar - with the same-sex marriage debate in Canada. Please participate as you can in this conversation.

Though my research will deal more specifically with how leadership for a Christian pastor is changing in light of this, your insight is still quite important to me. Maybe you're a leader in a church, maybe you're not. Maybe you're a Christian, maybe you're not. Maybe you go to church. Maybe you don't. Maybe issues like this are why you don't go to church. Regardless of your background, you're welcome to enter into the discussion. Let me and others know what you think.

The old saying goes that you should never talk to your father-in-law about two things: religion and politics. And yet I'm asking you to talk about them both. Together! Fortunately, I've been blessed with a father-in-law to whom I can talk about both of these things. Even if we disagree, we still respect each other at the end of the conversation. Please understand that this blog is not the place to persecute, chastise, or ridicule those who may not share your opinions, beliefs, or convictions. This is a place for open, honest discussion about a subject that has the potential to change some of the fabric of Canadian society. Please show others the respect they deserve and that you hope to receive in return.

Along the way, I may ask if I can quote some of what you contribute to this conversation as part of the final draft of my project. Please don't let that inhibit you from posting what you think. If you don't want me to quote you, just say so when I ask you, and I won't. It's just that simple.

Every now and then, I'll post a question or two to guide the discussion so keep checking into the blog regularly. But please feel free to interact with me and each other, and I'll try my best not to stifle the flow along the way.

Welcome, again, to the conversation. And thanks for participating in an important project.

K