Same-Sex Marriage: Public Opinion has Shifted

If you doubt the impact of the millennial generation, consider the impact they have had when it comes to public opinion on same-sex marriage.  Last week The Pew Research Center released the data on a survey done earlier this month.  According to their survey of 1,501 American adults, 70% of millennial adults favor same-sex marriage.  That compares with 49% of generation X and 38% of baby boomers.  Overall, 49% of Americans support the issue, as opposed to 44% who stand against it.  That is a reverse from ten years ago when 58% opposed and 33% favored.  Experts attribute the shift to millennials (those born after 1980) who joined the adult population.  It's not surprising that Rob Bell, a spokesmen for millennials when it comes to religious issues, last week announced his support for same-sex marriage. 

According the study, in the last ten years 14% of the population have changed their opinion from being opposed to being in favor of the issue.  Only 2% have reversed their opinion from supporting the issue to now being opposed.  The study did identify the reasons for the change in opinion, with the greatest reason being they now know someone who is a homosexual.  18% of those polled indicated they were just accepting the world view.  I suspect that Rob Bell is one of those who is just bending to popular opinion.

We can never allow the court of public opinion to effect who we are as Children of God.  As I read the Scriptures, God's desire is that marriage be the union between one man and one woman.  Over the course of history, there have been consequeunces when people have violated that.  If you watched the History Channel presentation of The Bible, you saw the account of Sodom and Gomorrah graphically depicted.   I know this puts me in the minority these day, and makes me politically incorrect, but I still know what God intended.  I also know that we need love those who hold different opinions or who practice behaviors that we find offensive.  Jesus always loved the sinner, it was their sin he found offensive.  When it comes to that I know he finds many of my thoughts and behaviors detestable.  Still, I know what God desires of us.