I wouldn't go as I'd see my presence as condoning (at least tacitly) an abomination before God. I would keep in contact and reach out to the cousin in some other manner.
Go and be happy without a second thought. He's family and you care about him, right? Meanwhile, work hard to make sure that homosexual "marriage" doesn't become the law of the land. I have strong feelings that marriage is between a man and a woman. I feel just as strongly that homosexuals should be allowed the dignity and legal advantages of civil unions.
You should go.
If it was a close cousin of mine, I'd go with my wife for the good eats and drinks at the reception. I'd also tell him aside that I think he's completely nuts but I'd still love him.
It's not like you're going to a rally to try to change marriage laws. The debate is done in Massachusetts; the people have spoken there.
Be there for your cousin, and don't make yourself a target of scorn from the rest of your family, either.
-PJ
Your friend is being selfish pure and simple
Sometimes I'm asked for advice on a difficult question like this, and the only thing I can say is, "It's up to you." Plenty of good advice here, but the decision is finally yours.
You have to ask for advice? So much for principle.
I see homosexuality as just another sexual perversion. It is tolerated when between consenting adults. I visualize the homo act and find it too disgusting to think about. I don't believe we should have civil unions between gays and you can guess how I feel about homo marriages.
Having said all that, I probably would attend the event at the invitation of this friend.
They came to your wedding; surely you are going to theirs?
I would go.
I am going to give you an answer in a roundabout way.
My wife has a lot of friends who are orthodox Jewish. She was explaining to me all the rules the orthodox Jews follow. They can't work on the Sabbath and they can't drive.
"What if they are walking down the street on the sabbath and see a child hurt?" I asked.
My wife explained that saving a life overrides all other rules. They can do whatever is necessary to save the child. They can treat the child or drive him to the hospital or do whatever needs to be done.
I liked the idea of how some rules can override other rules. I think your dedication to traditional marriage is commendable and I agree with you. But I think your obligations toward family overrule your political views in this case.
You should go. If you want to be morally consistent, write a check to Concerned Woman of America or the Family Research Council when you get home.
Why Not?..
All points have already been made.. except the point are you my friend or not??..
NOT Going to the, whatever it is, makes no positive point whatever..
Going to it however makes no negative point..
Love, faithfullness, commitment should be expressed.. if due..
Would be an excellent testimony to friendship..
That is if friendship IS NOT JUST A WORD...
Go.
If he is aware of your feelings on the matter, it would seem he's trying to goad you with the invitation.
Militancy is a hallmark of the gender confused.
I would NOT go and when asked why, I would be more than happy to explain in graphic detail why I refused to participate in the farce.
Assuming that you want an honest answer, here's mine.
You screwed up big time by inviting him and his significant other to your wedding.
By doing so you sent a signal of equivalence, intentional or not; Expecting reciprocity is the consequence, and total equivalence is almost explicit.
I wouldn't go. I hate weddings. Never been to a gay one, but I don't even like the hetero ones.
99% of the time they conflict with something good on television.
If you want to get married, fine. Why should I get dressed up to watch?
When I got married, I rented a pastor to meet us in a park in Hawaii. The only witnesses were he and his two daughters who sat at a distance.
It was legal, beautful, and inconvenienced no one. There were no hair-pulling decisions for guests whether to attend. And I'm still married to the same woman 23 years later.
Some of my friends have spent over $50,000 on weddings for their kid. For what?
Just do it.
Nope.