Pope Gives in Mostly on Same Sex Marriages



The Pope can count members and reads polls. He has now ruled priests can "bless" same-sex marriages. From what I read, same sex couples will not be allowed the experience of the marriage "ritual" with a priest conducting a wedding ceremony.

This little gamesmanship is similar to what some Protestant denominations do. For example, the Evangelical Covenant does not "approve" same sex weddings. Every year a church or two is axed from the denomination because its preachers perform same sex marriages. Those churches are well aware of the rule and seemingly could care less. There is, however, official permission given for an Evangelical Covenant preacher to "attend" a gay wedding. Thus, a couple's own preacher can be part of every part of the marriage event, pre marriage counseling, the rehearsal and dinner, reception and remarks after the wedding, everything except the few minutes of the ceremony. From what I read in the Pope's decree, a local priest can be attend and be visible at the ceremony. The so-called "blessing" of the couple can be done at the reception after the ceremony. Creating the impression the denomination approves while slipping in a sub to read the vows is the name of the game. It could rightfully be called deception.

Christians are given license to put up a front. In 1 Galatians 9: 19-22 Paul explains he creates the impression he is like the locals. He tries to fit in. So it is with Christian, including Catholic, clergy today. Their old views are out of favor. They cannot move their bureaucracies and donors to change. So, they do like Paul, they create an impression they represent an accepting denomination. If no one reads the fine print all the better.    

Creating a false reality different from the actual reality has been done in advertising since day one. Some decades ago two marketing professors noticed the brand of toothpaste, Ipana, had been abandoned by its trademark owners and was available for free. They had no knowledge of this industry. The had some manufacturer of toothpaste use an off the shelf recipe and put it in tubes labeled "Ipana." They made a nice bundle and received mail from users thanking them for bringing back the writers' favorite product.

When gay marriage first came up in a big way, many clergy declared this was the huge sin that signaled Jesus would soon return. They created a false reality different from the actual reality. Conservative Christianity is creating one reality gay couples are welcome. Another reality, they are not welcome, is kept out of sight. 

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