Con: Why Craig V. Mitchell Opposes Same-Sex Marriage

“When those who support the same sex marriage position equate it with the Black struggle for civil rights, they insult the Black community.”

in our Pro vs Con series, we ask two experts to weigh in on a hot button topic. This week, we tackle the same-sex marriage debate. Craig Vincent Mitchell, Ph.D. is a research fellow for the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.

Loop 21: What is your stance on same-sex marriage? Why?
Craig Vincent Mitchell: In Genesis 1, we find God’s command to men to be fruitful and multiply. In Genesis 2, we see the man created first and then the woman to help him fulfill this command to be fruitful and multiply. For these reasons, God’s design for marriage is between a man and a woman. As such, same sex marriage is wrong.

Loop 21: Are there any exceptions?
Mitchell: No! God’s design for the family is a man and a woman. Nowhere in the Bible do we find room for any other alternatives.

Loop 21: Do you think same-sex marriage is a civil rights issue? Why or why not?
Mitchell: Same sex marriage is not a civil rights issue, because homosexuality is a choice. I was born Black and had no choice in the matter. Race is part of God’s design, and all races share in the Imago Dei. Consequently, race issues are civil rights issues. Homosexuality is a deviation from God’s design and as such, is not a civil rights issue.

Loop 21: Is the Black church’s opposition to same-sex marriage in alignment with Christianity’s tenets? Why or why not?
Mitchell: The Black church (or any other church) is faithful to Christianity’s tenets when it stands against same sex marriage. The Bible is loud and clear on the issue of homosexuality. Churches that support homosexual marriage are also likely to be pro-abortion rights and hold a number of other views that are not supported by scripture.

Loop 21: What are the potential drawbacks to legalizing same-sex marriage?
Mitchell: If same-sex marriage is legalized, then by what standard do we reject polygamous marriage? By what standard do we reject bestiality or marriage to an animal (or thing)? This also poses all sorts of problems for military chaplains.