Still Called to Martyrdom

When Christians warn that the adoption of same-sex marriage laws will lead to persecution of traditional Christians, secularists think we’re being hysterical. 

But then the mayor of Houston subpoenas sermons from pastors who have addressed homosexuality from the pulpit. And the Idaho couple that runs a wedding chapel in beautiful Coeur d’Alene faces fines and possible jail time for violating a city ordinance. Coeur d’Alene considers the chapel a “public accommodation” that is under the city ordinance.

Are you still hysterical when what you warn about begins to happen?

What happens from here?

There will be an implicit, if not explicit, distinction made between churches that conform to public policy on same-sex marriage. Some churches and religious institutions will be implicitly state-sanctioned; others will be out of accord with public policy, the Bob Joneses of the 21st century.

Churches that refuse to conduct same-sex marriages will be allowed to operate. To that extent, there will be a nod or two to the First Amendment. Will they keep their tax-exempt status? It’s hard to see how. Bob Jones didn’t.

In the Bob Jones case, Justice Burger wrote, “Government has a fundamental, overriding interest in eradicating racial discrimination in education . . . which substantially outweighs whatever burden denial of tax benefits places on [the University’s] exercise of their religious beliefs.” Not difficult to substitute “sexual” for “racial.” It’s almost a clerical change.

Will marriages conducted in non-conforming churches be recognized by the state for purposes of property, inheritance, etc etc? What about their children? Perhaps not; perhaps couples will have to go through two separate marriages to be married in law. I suspect that marriages in non-sanctioned churches will be recognized, but not without some red tape. 

As persecutions go, losing tax-exempt status is a fairly mild form. But it’s real, and this and other sanctions against traditional churches seem more likely than not. 

The pressure will be too much for some. But the pressure also provides an opportunity for witness, for bold faithfulness.