Should Christians Attend Homosexual “Weddings”?

R.C. Sproul Jr. ^ | 5-26-15 | R.C. Sproul Jr.

[ReformationFan]

Some of our deepest challenges as believers involve dealing with the sins of others, particularly those whom we love. Whether it is a relative struggling with addiction, a best friend unfaithful to his spouse, or a loved one embracing sexual perversion we often feel caught between our genuine love for the sinner and our genuine revulsion at the sin. The bromide “Hate the sin, love the sinner,” while at least infused with a touch of wisdom, doesn’t typically answer all the hard questions.

When confronted with tough moral calls it’s often wise to slow down and define our terms. First, let’s consider what it means to attend a wedding. Attending a wedding is not at all like attending a concert, or going to a movie. First, when we attend a wedding we are endorsing it. There is a reason for the “publishing of the bans”- that part of marriage ceremony wherein the officiant asks for reasons the two should not be married. If we “hold our peace” we are in fact affirming the legitimacy of the wedding. Secondly, when we attend a wedding we are there to serve as witnesses of the vows. We are a legal party to the proceedings, with a call to see that the vows are kept. Is that something Christians should be doing?

It is true enough that there are plenty of reasons why Christians are called to object to some heterosexual marriages. Those unbiblically divorced are not in fact free to marry, and Christians should not attend such weddings either, for the same reasons. The argument isn’t that both parties are sinners, and therefore we shouldn’t go. All those who marry are sinners. The question is, is the wedding itself biblical?

Which brings us to our second term, “wedding.” One could argue that my original question is moot for the simple reason that there is no such thing as homosexual weddings. You can no more witness a homosexual wedding than you could draw a square circle. Weddings are between men and women. That said, those participating in these events believe they are participating in a wedding. Our attendance, no matter how well intentioned, encourages them in their delusion. Which is one key reason why they so object to our not attending their weddings, or our not beautifying them with cakes and flowers. If we won’t admit that the naked emperor is dressed to the nines, the state will be called and we will be ruined.

Homosexuality is at one and the same time like other sins and unlike other sins. It is like other sins in that it is forgivable, and a sin for which Jesus died. After all, such once were we (I Corinthians 6:9-11). While the behavior is rightly revolting, those caught up in it bear God’s image and are not beyond the reach of grace. It is unlike some sins, however, for two reasons. First, it is gross and heinous sin. The folly that all sins are equal has done great damage in the church and in the world. All sins are cosmic rebellion and are due the eternal wrath of God. But that doesn’t mean they are equal. Second, unlike most other sins, this is a sin that its practitioners insist is no sin at all. Greed is wicked, but we don’t have parades celebrating it. This is a sin that in our day glories in its shame. Do we really want to join in that glory by attending their “weddings?”

I know it is difficult. I know it is painful and can divide families. I know it makes us look to the world like bigots and haters. But that, friends, is a shame we truly can glory in, for He promises us blessing (Matthew 5:10-12). This doesn’t, of course, mean we abandon homosexuals, or have nothing to do with them. Jesus often met sinners where they were. But He always called them to come to Him. He calls us to do the same.

[Norm Lenhart]

No.

Next question?

[Marcella]

I wouldn’t, not even if it was my child in the same sex marriage.

[El Cid]

If someone says he is going to pour gasoline on himself and set himself on fire - should you bring your marshmallows on a stick so you can join his 'celebration'?

Or analogous to the case of the bakers who get sued by the Government - if you own a store that sells gasoline and someone tells you he is going to commit self-immolation, should you be compelled to sell him the gasoline?

[elcid1970]

No.

A Christian may not participate in an abominable practice lest his or her immortal soul be endangered.

[Obadiah]

A wedding is supposed to be time of making a public vow before God. Homosexuals cannot make such a vow. A homosexual “wedding” seems to me to be an act of defiance and shaking your fist before the God who calls homosexuality an affront to His holiness.

[dp0622]

The answer isnt no. The answer is “are you #%#%ing kidding me? #@##@ no!” This insanity has to end!!!!

[GenXteacher]

No- voluntary attendance at such an event is condoning it.

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

My sis and I had this debate. She is a devout Christian, as I (fail to be). She works as a florist and does weddings. Said she would do homosexual weddings as she sees it as an opportu ity to spread the Gospel. I don’t and argued that she’s condoning. Love her to bits, but I think she’s lived in the NE too long. JMO.

[Yosemitest]

What did God TELL YOU ?

TO TOLERATE HOMOSEXUALS IS EVIL.
This is what we get when we FAIL to OBEY God.
For it is written:

“ For whosoever shall commit ANY of these abominations,
even the SOULS that commit them
SHALL BE CUT OFF from among their people. ”

Those who support homosexuals are against our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ.
These anti Christ people only bring destruction on us ALL.
I have NO sympathy for homosexuals!

Homosexuality is a "Mark" of disobedience.

It was given by our Heavenly Father to test us
to see ... if we will OBEY our Heavenly Father,
and abide by His commandments, statues, and ordinances.

Someone once asked

"Why are they [homosexuals] all so angry?"

The answer is in the definition of "REPROBATE".

rep·ro·bate \ˈre-prə-ˌbāt\ a. [L. reprobatus, reprobo, to disallow; re and probo, to prove.]

1. Not enduring proof or trial; not of standard purity or fineness; disallowed; rejected.


Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the Lord hath rejected them. Jer. 6.




2. Abandoned in sin; lost to virtue or grace.

They profess that they know God, but in works deny him, being abominable and disobedient, and to every good work reprobate. Titus 1.

3. Abandoned to error, or in apostasy. 2Tim. 3.

And the reason"why" is given in the Bible.

God has a cure for homosexuals.

But will we OBEY our Heavenly Father?

"Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect
that God is just,
that his justice cannot sleep forever."

[Norm Lenhart]

Well yea, that too ;)

[rockinqsranch]

Not just NO!, but ‘H’ NO!

[Engraved-on-His-hands]

Should a Christian attend a bank robbery? Same principle.

[PeterPrinciple]

1Co_5:9 When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin.

1Co_5:11 I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.

[FreeAtlanta]

No. It wouldn’t be polite to puke all over the place.

[Captain Peter Blood]

As a rule I don’t attend weddings or send gifts. I really don’t like them anymore than I do funerals, but funerals are a little more interesting and involve a lot less Hypocrisy.

[kjam22]

1Co_5:9 When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. 1Co_5:11 I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.

No one preaches that anymore.... That would be a certain percentage of church goers we shouldn't associate with....

[rlmorel]

No.

If you attend a homosexual marriage, you are tacitly (if not wholly) signaling complete approval of homosexual marriage and all that goes along with it.

This is not the same as declining to attend a wedding between a man and woman who you feel shouldn’t get married. One can have the opinion that the man and woman should not be married, but refusal to attend in that case is quite different, and something I feel should not be done except under extreme circumstances.

With respect to homosexual marriage, it is a fundamental disagreement on which I do not feel there should be a “middle ground”. If you feel that homosexual activity should not be normalized at a societal level and inhabit the same plane as marriage between a man and a woman, then agreeing to attend is an utter compromise of your integrity.

If it is a family member involved in a homosexual “marriage”, this can be quite a difficult and painful situation to be in if you feel as I do. And it happens.

One can love the sinner and despise the sin. What two people do in the privacy of their own lives is not my business, it is between them and God.

But if they wish to fight the battle to normalize homosexual behavior at a societal level, it is my business.

[rlmorel]

LOL...on a previous thread about this kind of thing, someone said they preferred funerals because the subject doesn’t demand a gift, the food is better, and the conversation is more interesting...

Or something like that...:)

[Bryan24]

No. As also a Christian should not attend a wedding if they know the persons getting married are committing adultery.