Originally published in 2007 in the online publication Keeping Family First ( http://www.keepingfamilyfirst.org./ ).

The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), America's only nationwide Black Gay civil rights organization, poses a very poignant question in a three-minute commercial posted on its YouTube page at http://www.youtube.com/NBJCDC. The video prominently features Julian Bond, a black man who just so happens to be the Chairman of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and his white wife Pamela. Another interracial couple (a white male and Native American female) and lesbian (a white female and black female) are also featured. But, for the NBJC, this question could not have come at a more opportune time, for it was raised on June 12, 2007 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Loving vs. Virginia decision, which struck down miscegenation laws and allowed interracial couples to legally marry.

The NBJC asks, "Is using religious teachings to deny equal rights to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people any less wrong than using religious teachings to discriminate against people of color, against equality for women, or against people of different cultures wanting to marry?"

Using religious teachings to deny gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people the choice to be engaged in same-sex coupling is totally acceptable. America was founded on Christian beliefs, principles and values. And marriages between heterosexual couples (i.e., one man and one woman) have always served as the building blocks for a society that affords its citizens certain freedoms within limits. Yes, its white male leaders had to admit they were wrong for using the bible to discriminate against persons of color and different cultures, as well as women, but the NBJC's question is not about discrimination against homosexual persons at all. If anything, it's about them being allowed to engage in behaviors that fall outside the parental limits established by God the Father.

Homosexual people opt to be in these relationships, an exercise of their free will. Persons of color do not choose to be colored; women endowed with breasts and vaginas. God made all of us the way he wanted. Black males, long considered the brunt of White America's disdain, along with their black female companions, cannot choose to re-enter their mothers' wombs a second time to be born white females.

Evidently, representatives with the NBJC are raising this question because they want to reshape our collective thoughts on the institution of marriage. But the story of Adam and Eve in the biblical book of Genesis reminds us, once again, that marriage is between one man and one woman, and for good reason.

God created man in his image, forming woman from the man's rib. Through these initial conceptions, he intentionally made Adam and Eve dependent upon each other for spiritual, emotional and physical fulfillment. More importantly, though, God gave them the supernatural ability to create other human beings in his image. This supernatural ability has been passed down through the ages, but now homosexual persons are choosing to be in long-term same-sex relationships that bring more glory to themselves than to the God who created them.

Humanity needs to understand that it warms God's heart to see men and women (in committed, marital relationships) conceiving, birthing and rearing children. This has always been God's intended function for humanity, with families being headed by male husbands and female wives. Consequently, when we heterosexual parents get to the rearing stage, it is imperative that we stress to our children when they're young the importance of leaving behind legacies of Christian faith, obedience and service. This task is only made possible if we go out of our way to make God big, ourselves and other people small.

Truth be told, the fight to legitimize same-sex marriages is an attempt to remove God's divine appointment from the institution of marriage. It is God who brings heterosexual couples together so that they can fall head-over-heels in love. Just read what was written in Genesis 2:24 (NIV) after God used one of Adam's ribs to create Eve. "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." There is no mention of two men, or two women even, becoming one flesh.

I do believe homosexual couples' humanity gives them the same capacity for loving, but this emotion will never cause them to become one flesh, which essentially involves using one's supernatural ability to create children in God's image. Minus a partner who is of the opposite gender, procreation is impossible. Thus, the motivation behind same-sex coupling is selfishness. And it becomes quite obvious they are together for the set purpose of satisfying carnal desires rather than fulfilling God's will. Moreover, vows of celibacy are seemingly rare in the homosexual community because the sexual intimacy that they find themselves engaged in is what causes them to be classified as gay, lesbian and bisexual people in the first place.

The NBJC wants to end what they call religion-based bigotry "now and forever." But how can us born-again Christians be considered bigots when the bible clearly says homosexuality is wrong. Moses writes in the Old Testament book of Leviticus (18:22, NIV) "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable." Later, in the New Testament book of Romans (1:26-27, NIV), Paul writes,

"Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion."

The problem with some modern-day Christians is we often fail to separate the person from the behavior. God wants gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender people to be in relationship with him through the confession and repentance of their sins, and acceptance of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. But because many of them never get to the point of viewing their behavior as detestable, they never get the opportunity to experience what it is like to be in right relationships with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

Christian parents are obligated to explain to their children why homosexuality is wrong. If we don't offer this explanation, our children will grow up being confused and sympathetic toward individuals who have freely opted not to participate in the advancement of God's kingdom. They are so consumed with trying to convince the world that their cause is just, that they never come to the realization that human beings were created to walk by the spirit, not by the flesh.

When homosexual individuals - specifically those who refuse to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and continue living homosexual lifestyles - pass from this life to the next, they will be separated for all eternity from God's presence just like any other unbeliever, with no avenue for making amends for their sinful behavior. God-fearing men and women, on the other hand, will spend their days being enlightened by God about the wonders of life through their permanent residency in his kingdom.

To God be the glory.

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