With the voters of California passing Proposition 8, banning gay marriage, protestors have taken to protesting ... the church. CNN reports, "About 300 gay-rights advocates fanned out along sidewalks leading to Saddleback Church in Lake Forest to voice their anger of the church's support of Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment approved by voters Tuesday that overturns a state Supreme Court decision in May legalizing same-sex unions." It even quotes some "Pastors" calling the church's support of the ammendment "embarrasing". What are the protests about? Is it really surprising that the Christian church would oppose homosexuality?

Despite focused attempts to re-interpret the Bible and dissolve its statements, history demonstrates that traditional Christianity has always stood against homosexuality. From Philo and Augustine through John Calvin and most Christians today. Acceptance in society does not always mean acceptance in religious faith. Why exactly do Christiand consider homosexual behavior deviant?

Without getting into a full theological lesson, the Bible repeatedly condemns homosexual behavior. In Genesis 19:1-28, the Bible tells of Sodom and Gomorrah, which was destroyed by God because its inhabitants refused to repent of their sin. Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 list homosexuality as an abomination in a list with incest and beastiality. Many people will ingore these however because they are found in the Old Testament, but they do not stand alone.

In the New Testment, the pattern is continued. Romans 1:24-27 describes homosexuality as "vile affection" and "unseemly". 1 Timothy 1:10 lists "they that defile themselves with mankind" among other sins for which the law was made. In 1 Corinthians 6:9, the same is listed as one who will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Religion aside, there is no reason to assume Proposition 8 passed purely on the basis of Christian beliefs.  There are those who believe that homsexual marriage will lead to legalization of polygamy as well.

Regardless of how one feels about homosexual marriage, protesting the church sure isn't going to change it. Christians voted as every other person votes - according to their values and beliefs. All the sandwich boards and protests in the world are not going to change the Bible and Christian history.

SOURCES:

http://www.biblegateway.org

http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/002/938xpsxy.asp?pg=1