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Civil Partnerships

December 2005 has seen the seen the legal recognition of partnerships between same-sex couples.   Of itself the law defines the rights and responsibilities of each partner to the other.   In a sense it changes nothing in terms of the relationship between the partners - the first couples to take part in the new ceremony are openly reported as having been together for several years, without the legally binding 'rights and responsibilities'.

A Global Trend
The BBC reports that in 1989, Denmark was the first country to define, in legal terms, the rights of same-sex couples.   Others followed and by 2000, 4 European countries had a law in place.   Since then, the pace has quickened and a further 5 countries now have full laws enacted; a further 3 countries have introduced restricted legal rights. In the USA, 5 states have similar legislation, as have areas of Canada, New Zealand and South Africa.

Taking a Stance
This issue has clearly polarised opinions around the world.   At some point, individuals are likely to need to define their own standpoint.

A Basis for Direction
The most influential drivers of views are based in our origins and beliefs.   If we believe that man is the end of the line of evolution and is the most intelligent creature, then we will listen to human logic and thinking.   It is then logical to strive to achieve equality for all relationships and to define all physical and emotional urges as right and natural - in fact it has been suggested that behaviour in the animal kingdom can be taken as precedent for human behaviour!

If however we believe that we are intelligently designed, created by a power greater than any human can exercise, then it is logical to look at the maker's instruction manual to find the best way to use the features and abilities we possess.   It is perfectly reasonable to do this for some complex piece of equipment - eg a car or item of home entertainment.

The Manufacturer's Handbook
Readers of this newsletter will have considered some of the evidence that the Bible can be trusted and it not the purpose of this article to provide further evidence.   Suffice to say that the Bible contains the hallmarks of an active, living God - and it states that He created us (read the first 2 chapters of the Genesis, right at the beginning of the Bible).   Throughout the rest of the Bible, there is consistent advice on how to realise our full potential.

Positive Advice for Relationships
The pattern is established in the beginning when God provided man with a suitable companion:

And Adam said: "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man."   Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. Genesis 2:23-24 (NKJV)

This advice was reinforced by Jesus when he taught the people of his day:

"But from the beginning of the creation, God 'made them male and female.   For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh.  Mark 10:6-8 (NKJV)

Negative Advice for Relationships
When God chose a nation that was to be given His law to live by (as a pattern and example for everyone else), amongst other details, they were also given instructions on wrong relationships:

'You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.                                                          Leviticus 18:22 (NKJV)

Reading on in Leviticus, it is clear that such practice was common in the other nations, but that did not make it right.   It was not for those wanting to obey God.   Ritual prostitution of both sexes was also forbidden:

"There shall be no ritual harlot of the daughters of Israel, or a perverted one of the sons of Israel. Deuteronomy 23:17 (NKJV)

It is not surprising that this position is evident in the New Testament - see the second half of the following quote. The first part of the quote makes a link between the behaviour and the attitude of those showing it.   Rejection of the living God and a turning to revere elements of nature around them instead, is associated with 'unnatural' and 'vile' behaviour in people.

...and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.   Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.   For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.   Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
Romans 1:23-27 (NKJV)

Hope Remains
So behaviour of this sort was evident in the first century - but some were willing to listen to the word of God and turned from their former way of life.   By baptism into Jesus Christ, they were 'made right' and have the hope of being in God's coming kingdom on earth.

Scripture quotations marked "NKJV(TM)" are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Homosexuality and the Church
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