Keeping Things in Perspective

Our marriage relationships should reflect the presence of God - marriage has been established and is an incredible opportunity to love and be loved by another person in an mutually beneficial relationship that brings honor to Him. In Colossians 3, we can read:
17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
18 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.

The pressures on marriages are intense, the attempt to redefine marriage is strong; yet, we can trust in God to make our marriages the very best they can be, reliant on His power and resilient from the devaluation of it in the culture. Because we love God and love our mates, we can grow in that love and devotion to Him.  In so doing, it sends a message that this is important; it models the relationship of Christ and His Church and brings honor to Him.

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I think the Bible is clear; despite cultural viewpoints to the contrary - Jesus was a strong supporter of marriage and shared these words that we find in Mark chapter 10:
6 But from the beginning of the creation, God 'made them male and female.'
7 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife,
8 and the two shall become one flesh'; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh.
9 Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."

As we continue to wait for the U.S. Supreme Court to issue perhaps the most significant ruling in a generation in the Dobbs abortion case, we can reflect on a decision that, while allowing so-called "same sex marriage" to be legalized throughout the country, it also has opened up a greater tolerance to beliefs about sexuality that do not line up with a Christian worldview perspective.  Ideas such as gender identity, gender fluidity, the proliferation of transgender acceptance, and the attempts to silence those who don't embrace these concepts, all accompanied the Obergefell decision as the justices created yet another "right" they viewed as constitutional.

But, even though same-sex marriage was legalized, it has certainly not become a bedrock institution in our society.  Consider this statement from Namechk.com: 

Currently, same-sex married couples account for about 1% of all married couples in the U.S., according to 2020 Census Bureau data.

Wait!  What? That's it - 1% of couples described as "married" are in same-sex marriages.  And, please keep in mind that same-sex marriage doesn't meet the Biblical standard.  Marriage is only one man and one woman.  Period.

And, consider this: 

Research by demographers at the University of California Los Angeles School of Law shows that there were an estimated 230,000 same-sex married couples in 2013, accounting for 21% of all same-sex couples. By June 2015, when same-sex marriage was legalized across the country, the number of same-sex marriages was 390,000, or 38% of all same-sex couples. Just a few months later, in October 2015, the number of same-sex marriages had increased to 486,000, or 45% of all same-sex couples.

So, in this period from June 2015, when Obergefell was issued, until October that year, the number of gay marriages went up less than 100,000.  The article also relates:

According to the Tax Policy Center, same-sex married couples skew younger, have higher incomes, and are less likely to have dependents. Indeed, Census Data shows that among married couples in their 20s and 30s, same-sex couples account for 1.8% and 1.5% of married couples, respectively. For married couples 60 and older, same-sex marriages account for about half that at 0.8%.

The article ranked the top 15 metropolitan areas based on their percentages of same-sex couples. Only the top 100 metros were used.  The disclaimer, from the article:

To find the metropolitan areas with the most same-sex marriages, researchers at NameChk analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample. The researchers ranked metros according to the percentage of married couple households that are same-sex. In the event of a tie, the metro with the larger number of same-sex married couple households was ranked higher.

The "winner:" Austin-Round Rock, TX.  The stats:

• Percentage of married couples that are same-sex: 2.6%
• Percentage of same-sex couples that are married: 57.8%
• Total same-sex married couples: 11,696
• Total male married couples: 5,582
• Total female married couples: 6,114

The remainder of the "top 10:"

2) Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

3) Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL 

4) San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA

5) Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL

6) New Haven-Milford, CT

7) Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL

8) Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV

9) Salt Lake City, UT

10) Asheville, NC.

So, that's it?  The metro area with the largest percentage of these faux marriages has a percentage of 2.6?  Really?  Sounds like that before corporate logos begin to change and post rainbow colors next month, we need to really have a reality check.  Remember the YouGov study of perception vs. reality I commented on a few weeks ago - the one in which respondents guessed that 30% of the population was gay or lesbian, 21% transgender?  Yep, the real numbers are 3 and 1 percent, respectively. And, the Census Bureau says only 1% of married couples are in what is termed a "same-sex marriage." 

We really should keep things in perspective - a decided minority is receiving a great deal of attention.  The public has been duped.  We're about to commemorate "Pride Month."  Is this really something to be proud of?  

While same-sex marriage is certainly a social problem that should not be ignored, we should be devoting a great deal of attention strengthening Biblical marriage - one man and one woman. Marriages are facing enormous pressures today, and it is important to make that a priority.  We, of all people, in the body of Christ, should be champions of marriage, the way God intended.  And making sure that our marriages are reflecting the love and the presence of Jesus.

A Focus on the Family article from last year, written by Jeff Johnston, is entitled, 4 Reasons We Care About Marriage.  Those four reasons are as follows:

1. We care about marriage because God does

2. A married mom and dad are best for children

3. Marriage helps both men and women

4. Marriage is good for society.

With these incredible benefits, we should be outspoken advocates for true marriage, based on the Biblical standard.  We can model it by loving and cherishing our mates, being devoted to one another in the Lord.