Rev. John Rankin: Same-Sex Marriage, Smith College and an Evangelical Minister

Rev. John Rankin, President of the Theological Education Institute (TEI), and Amy Hunt of the Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus discuss "Is Same-Sex Marriage Good for the Nation?" This "Mars Hill Forum" took place at Smith College on February 5, 2004. The goal of these forums is to have intelligent, candid, yet gracious interaction on divisive social issues involving areas where theology and politics overlap.

To read some of John's thoughts after this forum please go to http://www.teinet.net/twindangers.html

For further information about the Theological Education Institute (TEI) and more articles by John Rankin please visit http://www.teinet.net/ and http://www.johnrankin.org/

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Rev.
• John Rankin
• TEI
• teinetwork
• Same-Sex
• Homosexual
• Gay
• Lesbian
• Marriage
• Civil Unions
• Bisexual
• Christianity
• Politics
• Amy Hunt

[mnptl]

This is a well-presented set of debate responses. I especially enjoyed the way that both Amy and John gave each other space to air their own views. Too oten we see, in such interactions, both sides speaking past each other by only presenting their own views and not responding to the other's. That is not very helpful! In THIS case, I heard lots of real interaction. Hats off to both of you.

[ProtoChaud9]

You ask, do we have these rights enumerated somewhere? We do. That's what the Bible is. God's writing to us, written so we can read and understand his desires, purposes and laws for us.

[superman4449]

THIS IS THE BEST DEBATE I HAVE EVER HEARD ON THIS ISSUE!!!!! By FAR!!!!!!!

[salmonroses]

@777Riley777 When it comes to matters of belief and religion, there is not one single truth. There are many truths.

[777Riley777]

@salmonroses What matters is Truth.  Truth will affect you and all of us, whether we "agree" with it or not. Truth is not anyone's opinion. So, what is Truth? Not your opinion, but Truth.

[JonWRowe]

I love the debate he did with Fred Phelps.

[salmonroses]

Mr. Rankin's arguments are totally unimpressive to me and irrelevent, because they all stem from HIS religion. Why would I be swayed by the arguments of someone else's religion? Why should his religion apply to my life?

[theredjediknight]

snore....why why why do we argue about things like this? Ultimately, i dont agree wiv homosexuality. however. do i have a right to talk? No! As a christian, i spent YEARS goin thru whether it was right to divorce my violent/aspergers hubbie - father of daughter. yes. he violent but he was who i married! in the end I DID divorce, and remarried. constant struggle now is it rite i remarry? according 2 bible, then no! commit adultery? yes! so marry same sex...then no....but i have NO right to say!

[BelieveIt1051]

With all due respect, you can't honestly say that because you don't definitely know if that is true. The same studies show that heterosexuals have the same amount of hormones as homosexuals and yet they are not homosexual. The reverse is true as well. Furthermore, the studies do not prove that hormones are the cause of their behavior. It could very well be the opposite, that chosen behavior resulted in a hormonal change in their body.

All sexualities are a matter of choice.

[sonali1214]

@BelieveIt1051 As someone who has gay friends, I'm telling you they didn't choose to be gay. Some might have, but most didn't. There have been studies that prove that gay people have more of the opposite sex's hormones than heterosexuals do. So it might not be genetic, but it is biological. Research before you judge!

[ToxicOdiousOne]

They probably use vibratos under their pants during classtime. Lesbians probably kiss and have sex during classtime. Male teachers probably don't exist or must constantly praise the vagina. It's like an inner city school.