Re: marriage (was: Another query to George and comments to Janice)

I entirely agree with Chuck on this point: I also expect the Mormons to
start making the case for polygamy, if same-sex marriage or a close
functional equivalent (civil unions) becomes the law of the land here in the
US. I simply do not see any coherent *moral* basis from which one could
argue against it. Chuck says what I also sometimes say: in this scenario,
all bets are off.

Serialized monogamy (ie, the relatively unblinking acceptance of
remarriage, indeed multiple remarriage, following divorce) has partly led to
this, IMO. It's pretty much a joke--and a bad one--that people like Zsa Zsa
Gabor, Donald Trump, or Liz Taylor change spouses like I change ballpoint
pens. It's worse that the churches--including some of the most conservative
ones--seem sometimes so accepting of this.

This latter point does bear somewhat on Burgy's question earlier, directed
at George, concerning ordination of non-celibate homosexuals. Many churches
are still much stricter (for which I thank God) about accepting multiply
married pastors. It's one thing to view the church (and membership) as
being an institution that helps to heal the sick (all of us, starting with
me); it's another thing to appoint into leadership people who have not
exactly provided the best leadership on this particular matter.
Relationships do go to the heart of the gospel message, and this one is
offered up in scripture on the highest possible terms, when the church is
said to be the bride of Christ.

Ted
Received on Fri Jun 9 10:49:03 2006