Privately, I've held a similar view for a long time. I support any two people who love each other and want to form a union to do so. I agree that governments need to be out of the marriage business and recognize just the social contract portion of this, because relationships do often fail and there needs to be a way through the legal system to manage the dissolution. I keep this view private because I'm not sure everyone in my church would value this position. Albert brings up some complications of this approach that I hadn't considered, though, that make this idea a lot less simple than I have always thought it was.
Wow, incredibly well done.
There was a time when I would have thought you were selling out, but now I think what you're doing leans more toward reaching the people. We Christians are supposed to be a peculiar people, separate and holy, but God also gives us this life to enjoy as much as we can. I appreciate how you're trying to balance between the two.
Not like I'm ever going to apply for a job working for you, as I'm in a different field... But I have my Facebook set up so that you can see my posts and information only if you're already a friend. Do you count this as noninformation that doesn't influence your decision one way or the other, or as something worrisome (e.g., what's this guy trying to hide)?
I wish someone had leaned on me hard on this point while I was married. I might still be married.
Nice. Very nice. My 14-year-old son needs to see this today.
There's a jargon in the church that can serve to alienate those outside it. I try to avoid church jargon even within the church.
I watched the video "Heartbreak on Schuyler Street, through a photographer's lens." WOW. I forgot TV could do that.
I'm going to think about your question -- I don't have much more than a sketchy answer at the moment. I may just end up answering it on my own blog, but if I do I'll link back here.