Consider that Christian Americans once prescribed the right to human slavery.  The White Christian slave owners quoted Biblical scripture as justification for that right.  Ultimately the rule of law trumped the rule of Biblical scripture. Slavery met its end and the American Christian world evolved.

Consider women’s suffrage in the context of American history.  There exists Biblical scripture that can be interpreted to promulgate the concept that Christian women are not equal to men and, as such, are not to allowed to speak in church or in the ballot box.  Ultimately the rule of law trumped the rule of biblical scripture and American women – Christian and non-Christian, were granted the right to vote and the American Christian world evolved.

Consider Carrie Nation proclaiming her biblically ordained Temperance Movement in Christian America.  Here again biblical scripture, this time prohibiting alcohol consumption, was cited as a catalyst that ultimately resulted in a constitutional mandate prohibiting alcohol consumption.  Ultimately the rule of law trumped the rule of biblical scripture. Prohibition met its end and the American Christian world evolved.

Consider no-fault divorce.  When states first began enacting no-fault divorce laws many Christian Americans proclaimed it against biblical scripture and angrily fought against the new law.  Ultimately the rule of law trumped the rule of biblical scripture. No-fault divorce became the law of the land and the American Christian world evolved.

Consider racial segregation.   American Christian racial segregationists cited biblical scripture in support of their belief that the races should be segregated.    Ultimately the rule of law trumped the rule of biblical scripture and racial segregation was outlawed.  Here, too, the American Christian world evolved.

Consider inter-racial marriage.  As with racial segregation, those opposed to inter-racial matrimony cited biblical scripture in defense of their position.  Ultimately the rule of law trumped the rule of biblical scripture and the American Christian world evolved.

Finally, consider same-gender marriage.  Here you may substitute slavery, women’s suffrage, temperance, no-fault divorce, racial segregation, or inter-racial marriage and the outcome is the same:  Ultimately the rule of law trumped the rule of Biblical scripture and the American Christian world is in the midst of coping with this latest evolution.

Time and time again, throughout American Christian history a small vocal group of Christian Americans has argued in favor of placing limits on or disallowing certain secular freedoms, rights and liberties.  Currently we live in a time where the line between preachers and politicians has blurred. Unfortunately, political operatives are now masquerading as religious scholars and trusted elders in an attempt to impact how we cast our votes.  Currently some preachers preach politics from their pulpits and some politicians deliver scripture from the stump.    What happened to concept of secularism?  I don’t want politicians and lawmakers telling a congregation how to practice its faith and I don’t want my Pastor telling a congregation how to vote!  It is my opinion that modern American Christianity can adapt itself to an evolving culture and that culture’s evolving set of laws.  We should live in the shadow of biblical love – love of God and love for our fellow man and woman.

My same-gender partner and I have been together twenty-three years.  Our commitment to Christianity mirrors our commitment to one another.  We derive tremendous joy from our relationship with one another and our relationship with God. 

Respectfully,

Harris D. Berger