When Justice Antonin Scalia challenged same-sex marriage lawyer Ted Olson on Tuesday to say exactly when same-sex marriage became the constitutional norm Olson could not do so. But, instead, he gave this answer: "It was constitutional when we as a culture determined that sexual orientation is a characteristic of individuals that they cannot control. There is no specific date in time. This is an evolutionary cycle." (Emphasis mine)
The last several days have been marked by intense hearings regarding same-sex marriage at the Supreme Court, and even more intense controversy outside the high Court. Supporters and opponents of gay rights have clashed in protests, in the news media and social media alike. This has certainly seized the attention of our nation. With polarizing power, it has also become what seems to be a clearer fault line in not only our society, but even the professing Evangelical Church in America.
While it is clear in the Scriptures what God’s attitude towards homosexual behavior is, it is unfortunate that many self-portrayed Christians are causing confusion by casting doubt on the clear teaching of God’s Word. But that direction is not where we’re going here and instead it is addressed in another article.
The 9 Supreme Court Justices are not determining if same-sex marriage is Biblical, but, if it is constitutional. While they do that, I would like to lay aside the Biblical view and take up the view of an evolutionist. Is there any compelling reason outside of the Scriptures that would cause us not to jump on board with the supposed “sea-tide change” in support of gay rights? If I were someone who rejects the God of the Bible and who rejects the notion that religion and God should have any place in government and public life, then I can only come from an evolutionary view. As a matter of fact, this is what Ted Olson revealed when he said, “This is an evolutionary cycle”.
While I reject the theory of evolution, I would like to think from that perspective as if I adhered to it. Just like a Christian would ask “Does God approve of homosexuality?” I want to ask, “Would evolution cause homosexuality?” Please understand, this is not gay-bashing or bigotry. This is what I would see as a logical conclusion from an evolutionary worldview (again, which I do not hold).
Evolution is the natural process whereby everything is transforming progressively into more advanced, sophisticated, adapted and higher forms of existence. Progress is the key point. Therefore, evolution is supremely pragmatic and the impersonal force that drives evolution only asks the question: What works? That question is resolved through the process of advancing the qualities that are most excellent in the species and contribute to progress while eliminating those qualities that are a hindrance to progress. In other words, anything that thwarts progress in the species is weeded out through the evolutionary process for the improvement and continuation of the species. This is important to keep in mind, because it is not anything other than the forward progress of the species that is at stake, and therefore the objective in evolution.
Let us not appeal to the otherwise positive characteristics of kindness, intelligence and so forth that many homosexuals no doubt possess. Those qualities will not be weeded out as they are good for our advancement (although I question the basis for kindness in an evolutionary worldview, but it is granted here). Also, there is no basis whatsoever for compassion in an evolutionary worldview. If some attribute of the species does not contribute to the progress of the species it must be removed.
In light of this, an obvious and fundamental question must be asked: How is homosexuality contributing to the progress of the human species? On the most basic point, homosexual behavior cannot result in babies. Before you pound your fist onto your laptop's rainbow sticker or hurl your Starbucks at the wall think this through a minute from an evolutionary point of view. Homosexuality cannot contribute to the extension of life into the next generation. Evolution needs procreation so that with each successive generation the upward advancement of the species can continue. Only heterosexual behavior provides the means for the very existence of the next generation and therefore provides for the continuation of evolution’s work. Logically, then, it would seem that the most ardent supporters of heterosexual relationships and the most vigorous opponents of homosexual relationships would be the evolutionists. Existence is at stake, at least in principle if not practically at this point.
Have evolutionary forces brought us so far as a species only to now undo that progress by the development of a behavior that cannot procreate and therefore does not contribute to the continuation of the species? Keeping the species going to keep the species advancing is so basic. Homosexual behavior cannot keep the species going. Does that not betray a flaw rather than a step forward for our species in the “evolutionary cycle”? After all, as an evolutionist, I would be arguing from the very pragmatic view that only what advances us should be protected. I’m not an evolutionist, but, if I were, this would be my basic and most vocal point against homosexuality.
You cannot subscribe to evolution and then tout homosexuality as evidence of the forward progress of evolution. It is illogical. It undermines evolution. For that reason, then, it seems that from the evolutionist’s perspective, it would be in the State’s best interest to not promote and protect behaviors that thwart the real progress of it’s citizen-species.
Now, returning to my Christian perspective. There is a strong basis to love homosexuals as Christians. As Christians we have (or should have) come to know what it is like to be loved by God while realizing we could never have deserved such great love. Our own experience of being loved by God should be the lesson for us to love others unconditionally. His kind of love is the basis for our kind of love for others - no matter how firmly we may disagree with them. Love is not dependant on agreement. If it is then it is not God's love.
Furthermore, you are human beings created – not evolved – by God. As human beings we all bear the image of God. Therefore, there is intrinsic value and worth in each of us. God chose to create us to know Him and love Him. I heard someone say "If you run over a squirrel with your car you'll sleep sound tonight, but, if you hit a kid you will never sleep again." Each of us has intrinsic worth and value as image-bearers of God. The explanation of that is for another time.
But sin has ruined us. All of us. We are all sinners before Him. There is no “us” and “you” in this matter. There is only “we”. We, together, all of us – from the homosexual to the heterosexual – are all in the same boat before God. It’s a red boat with the word “sin” across it. But God’s love for you is the same love for us. His love does not discriminate. And what Jesus Christ did was the greatest expression of love ever to behold. While this holy God was against each of us because of our sin, His love causes Him to be for us. Think of the love God has: while we are yet sinners He sent His son Jesus Christ to die in our place and save us. He took away our sins when He died on the cross. Evolution causes all that is defective to be purged. No compassion - only cold, impersonal, unsympathetic and cruel utilitarianism.
But in the Bible we learn of God who does not throw us away but in holy and loving zeal pursues us to redeem us. It is God who created you, who knows you and who despite your sin loves you more than you have any possibility of ever fully understanding. Look at the cross of Jesus Christ if you want proof. There in the body of His own Son is where your sins were nailed. There is where your penalty was paid. There in the blood of Jesus Christ was the unconditional love of God for you displayed. This is true because God proved it through raising Jesus up from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in heaven. And now Jesus, who loved you by dying for you, can and will grant you forgiveness of sins and eternal life if you put your faith in Him. The issue today is not whether the constitution gives you the right to marry. It is far more transcendent than that. It is what Jesus will give you, "To all those who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God." (John 1:12) "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)
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