Should a Christian Attend a "Gay Wedding?"
A Roman Catholic friend of mine told me today that the local Bishop just made an announcement that Roman Catholics are forbidden to attend "gay weddings." Apparently this is upsetting many people in the parish, because some of them have family and friends who are practicing homosexuals. I'm not sure if the Bishop said this, but it does bring up a question worth discussing. Should a Christian attend a "gay wedding?"
For me the answer is clearly no. Why? Because the Bible is clear that homosexuality and gay marriage are sinful. A wedding ceremony is the celebration of a relationship. Therefore a "gay wedding" is the celebration of a sinful relationship. And celebrating sin is just as bad as engaging in sin. So for me, it is a no-brainer. Attending a "gay wedding" is wrong.
But I'm not ready to say that attending a "gay wedding" is wrong for all Christians. For example, if you believe that your attendance is just an expression of love and support toward the people getting married, and not the approval or endorsement of their sin, then maybe it's not wrong to attend. But in a situation like that, the meaning of your attendance might need to be explained beforehand, or it could be misinterpreted.
And that brings me to perhaps the most important point to be made. It's impossible to please everyone if you are living for Christ (Galatians 1:10). Jesus was hated, criticized, laughed at, and killed. And the same thing will happen to His true followers (John 16:18-19). Eventually following Jesus will get you into trouble with people -- and sometimes it will be the people you love. I think many Christians will go to "gay weddings" because they don't want to offend a friend or family member. And that's where Christians have to make a choice. Are you willing to offend people in order to honor God? Are you willing to be rejected by men in order to be accepted by God?
As Christians, we are always looking for opportunities to share our faith. And "gay weddings" are a great opportunity because you will need to explain why you are not attending the wedding, or why you are attending the wedding, even though you are against homosexual behavior. Simply explain the Bible's teaching on the matter, and your commitment to living according to the Bible, and then share the Gospel.
For me the answer is clearly no. Why? Because the Bible is clear that homosexuality and gay marriage are sinful. A wedding ceremony is the celebration of a relationship. Therefore a "gay wedding" is the celebration of a sinful relationship. And celebrating sin is just as bad as engaging in sin. So for me, it is a no-brainer. Attending a "gay wedding" is wrong.
But I'm not ready to say that attending a "gay wedding" is wrong for all Christians. For example, if you believe that your attendance is just an expression of love and support toward the people getting married, and not the approval or endorsement of their sin, then maybe it's not wrong to attend. But in a situation like that, the meaning of your attendance might need to be explained beforehand, or it could be misinterpreted.
And that brings me to perhaps the most important point to be made. It's impossible to please everyone if you are living for Christ (Galatians 1:10). Jesus was hated, criticized, laughed at, and killed. And the same thing will happen to His true followers (John 16:18-19). Eventually following Jesus will get you into trouble with people -- and sometimes it will be the people you love. I think many Christians will go to "gay weddings" because they don't want to offend a friend or family member. And that's where Christians have to make a choice. Are you willing to offend people in order to honor God? Are you willing to be rejected by men in order to be accepted by God?
As Christians, we are always looking for opportunities to share our faith. And "gay weddings" are a great opportunity because you will need to explain why you are not attending the wedding, or why you are attending the wedding, even though you are against homosexual behavior. Simply explain the Bible's teaching on the matter, and your commitment to living according to the Bible, and then share the Gospel.
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