It is just after dinner, the dishes are soaking in the sink, and the family has made themselves comfortable in the living room in front of the television. You flip through the channels, and before you know it, the news blares out that homosexual activists are petitioning for the legal right to marry. The camera pans away, and you see a reporter holding a microphone in front of an onlooker's face -- the typical "man on the street" interview with "Joe Sixpack." The latter scoffs at the outdated notion of marriage and is less than enthused about anyone -- gay or straight -- being shackled within the confines of this institution. Suddenly, the picture changes, and you are now watching the Senate Republicans attempting, in vain, to amend the United States Constitution to read: Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman. And then it happens...your child turns to you and asks "what is all the fuss about?"
Indeed, what is the fuss all about? Do you have an opinion? Wherever you may stand politically on the issue of gay marriage, with the institution of marriage itself being discussed in the news, and with our children undoubtedly catching on that it is becoming a hot-button issue, the Christian parent must be ready to weigh in, spiritually, where s/he stands on the issues.
From the Christian perspective, marriage, since time immemorial, has been divinely proclaimed to be between one man and one woman (Matthew 19:4-5). Further, Christ reiterated that it is a life-long commitment, not to be dissolved except in the case of marital infidelity (Matthew 19:9). While the marriage relationship is based on the social equality of man and woman (Galatians 3:28), it has roles assigned to it, with the woman being submissive to the man (1 Corinthians 11:8-9) and the man giving up everything he has/is to serve his wife and keep her spiritually safe (Ephesians 5:25-27).
As a Christian parent, these Scriptures should come as no surprise. However, have you modeled this in your own home (if you are a married parent) or expressed it as God's expectation to your child? In addition, if your child is old enough, have you discussed the issues of marriage in modern society, the changes it underwent, the sins that were exposed when it was done in opposition to the divine commands (i.e. the destruction and heartache that came about due the introduction of polygamy as outlined in the Old Testament), and also the latest attempt to modernize the institution, as can be seen in the attempt to allow gays to marry and the subsequent attempt by the senators to stop it.
No matter where you stand politically on these issues, as a parent this is a bridge you will need to cross. If not today, then perhaps tomorrow or in a few years. Be prepared!