Freedom?s edge

?We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalien?able rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.? ?THOMAS JEFFERSON

The U.S. Supreme Court?s decision last week legalizing same-sex marriage falls in line with Thomas Jefferson?s famous declaration, not to mention what historians call the ?flow of history.?

The latter assertion certainly would be acknowledged by many within the Chris?tian community who oppose the Court?s ruling, citing it as one more example of America?s spiritual and social decline. Public opinion in regard to same-sex marriage has changed dramatically, even in the past five to 10 years. A Gallup poll taken just prior to the decision indicated 60 percent of Americans support same-sex marriage?an all-time high from the 27 percent when the question was first asked in 1996.

But Christians who oppose the Court?s ruling likely would resist the notion that Jefferson ever envisioned same-sex marriage as a Creator-endowed pathway to happiness, citing the ?Christian principles on which this country was established.?

We embrace principals that are truly Christian, but we also recognize that America has evolved into a post-Christian culture where agreed-upon biblical norms for behavior is valued by fewer and fewer people.

While the game has changed, Christians still have a transformational role to play: Love others, humbly, as God has loved you. That is the torch that lights the way to freedom in its truest form. ?DR

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