Commentary: Whatever Happened to the Marketplace of Ideas?
Anti-marriage protests are the ugly face of a pansexual ideology that will not allow for honest disagreement of dissenting viewpoints.
In the wake of the passage in November 2008 of three state amendments defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman, pro-gay activists have unleashed a wave of protests not seen in America since the 1960s.
Christians in particular have come under fire for daring to support these amendments. Homes and churches have been vandalized, worship services disrupted, businesses boycotted, employees fired, donors targeted and intimidated, and individuals physically attacked.
Two groups that have disproportionately borne the brunt of gay anger in this witch hunt have been the Mormon church and African-Americans. Both communities were key to the passage of these amendments.
Sadly, this collective temper tantrum has been aided and abetted by the media. Throwing away any pretense of balanced reporting, they’ve marched in lockstep with pro-gay activists – regurgitating their talking points and rarely giving traditional marriage advocates equal time.
Probably the most egregious example of this breathtaking bias was Newsweek magazine’s audaciously one-sided piece claiming that the Bible actually supports the case for homosexual “marriage.” Here, pro-gay revisionist theology is uncritically presented and biblically orthodox believers are bashed as ignorant bigots.
So what’s going on here? Since when does constitutionally exercising one’s religious views at the ballot box on an important issue like marriage call for the vicious reaction we’re seeing? Whatever happened to the marketplace of ideas, tolerance of differing viewpoints, and basic American decency?
These protests are the ugly face of a pansexual ideology that will not allow for honest disagreement or dissenting viewpoints. And even though it claims to be all about tolerance and diversity, laws are coming soon that will enforce the politically correct view that homosexuality must be celebrated, embraced and affirmed throughout every arena of society.
Make no mistake: From “hate crimes” and nondiscrimination laws that enshrine homosexuality, bisexuality and “transgenderism” as protected classes to a repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, it will soon be difficult for Bible-believing Christians to stand up for God’s created intent for sexuality, gender, marriage and the family.
And while persecution is coming, we can take heart in the Scriptural truth that ultimately it’s not us they war against, but Christ himself; that God will continue to provide for His children; and that those who are persecuted in His name will be rewarded.
Price is a research analyst for Focus on the Family.
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