Several years ago, I was watching an episode of Hardball with Chris Matthews. The show was a conversation about the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision of the US Supreme Court. Matthews observed, “The American public has accepted the Court’s ruling on Brown v. Board of Education that integrated the public schools.” He then asked, “Why has the American public not accepted Court’s decision about abortion?” No one had an answer. I do.
Brown v. Board of Education (1954) was a ruling that was supported by the moral teaching of the Holy Scriptures. When racist Christians were confronted by the teachings of Jesus, they were transformed by those teachings. Yes, they needed to be confronted. The court acted wisely and justly. We are a better nation because of it. Even George Wallace repented. Jerry Falwell was once asked if he had regrets. He replied that he regretted his role in support segregationist politics. In Brown v. Board of Education, the Supreme Court ruled with the moral authority of the Christian faith. That decision has the virtual universal support of the public.
Roe v. Wade (1973) was a ruling that was informed by radical feminist politics that insists that women have the right to reproductive control of their body. There is much more here that could be said, but this blog is not about women’s rights. (I should assert that I support a Biblically informed view of women’s rights.) Roe v. Wade continues to be resisted by a large group of Americans, many of whom reject the law as unjust and immoral because it is contrary to a Biblical view of life. More than fifty years later, the court’s ruling is still considered scandalous. The latest Pew opinion poll on the subject reveals that the American public remains divided.
As the US Supreme Court is about to make a decision on the constitutionally of same-sex marriage, many are arguing that the Court’s ruling will change American public opinion. Some are even arguing that religious views must be changed to accommodate the new public policy (here and here). In other words, Christ serves Caesar. The court’s ruling will be received by the public in the same way Roe v. Wade was received. Some will celebrate; others will protest. But the US Supreme Court will not have the final word on public opinion as long as many opinions are informed by traditional Christian values.
The gay activists know this and that’s why the next decade will be tumultuous. Those of us who hold to traditional Christian values will not be tolerated. The gay activists will seek to disenfranchise many Christians. They will label us as bigots; they will seek to suppress our free speech rights; and they will seek to undermine our economic stability. Just as the great beast persecutes those who refuse to accept his mark (Revelation 13:16-17); the beast of the gay rights agenda will war against the traditional morality of the Christian faith.
