“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”—Genesis 1:27

We live in times when the traditional family values and institution of family in general is jeopardized.

The image of God is both male and female and is reflected in a godly union between male and female where the creative power of God, His life-giving, His self-giving and His moral nature are perfectly expressed. This is only possible in a heterosexual union.

When God created a partner for Adam He created Eve—not another Adam. This means that perfect partnership requires some level of difference as well as a level of similarity so great that Adam could cry out loudly, ”This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh”.

Sexual intimacy between a man and a woman is the normal method of male/female bonding (emotionally and physically) because it corresponds to the design of our bodies and because it is the normal means by which offspring are created.

When Jesus was asked questions about marriage he went straight back to the defining passages in Genesis that say that marriage is between male and female and is meant to be lifelong. He saw the Creation accounts in Genesis as authoritative in His day. And what is authoritative for Jesus is authoritative for Christians also. While Jesus did not specifically teach on homosexuality, His establishment of the Genesis passages as the fundamental passages on marriage (even more fundamental than the Law) leaves no doubt as to the outcome.`

Marriage is between man and woman period. For centuries from the North to the South, from the East, to the West, in all traditional religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam – the marriage was between man and woman. Some voices from Western world: Europe, Hollywood – have propagated the myth that when it comes to marriage “all you need is love.”This is simply not true.

When we assist that the traditional family is based on marriage, and marriage is only between man and woman, some voices accuse us of not being open enough, liberal enough and tolerant enough. We are not fighting against anyone or any particular group; we are simply defending and being faithful to the centuries-old God-given laws and commandments.

Marriage is not based on emotion any more than any other partnership in life is. Marriage, like many human activities, involves emotion but it is not constituted by the presence of any particular set of emotions. I do not deny that many homosexuals feel deeply for their partners; however I do assert that no matter how deep the feelings, what they have is not a marriage in God’s sight. It is a beautiful deception.

Traditional marriage is a corner stone for healthy family. Marriage is a fundamental social institution that does not exist just for the emotional satisfaction of two individuals but for the greater good of the community which stands under the blessing or curse of God. Societies that put emotional fulfillment before right actions and principles will soon give way to a multitude of addictions and deep corruptions and collapse. God will judge any society that institutes same sex marriages.

I also believe that God will judge a society that permits adoption of children or the use of sperm banks by same sex couples.

His Word stands over society and when it is deliberately flaunted in the name of progress and enlightenment, then it is not light but deep darkness that results.

We cannot bend the principles of God’s Word to suit vocal minority groups.

No church that takes the Bible seriously can sanction a union between homosexuals or lesbians.

While some nations may enact laws permitting these evils, the true and faithful children of God must stand resolutely firm and never allow the sanctioning of same sex marriages by church, synagogue or mosque.

Very Rev.Fr.KhorenHovhannisyan