by Lynette Alice

Created on: March 22, 2009

The Reverend Geoffrey Farrow has positioned himself as one of the most vocal supporters of the movement to overturn Proposition 8 and call on all states and nations to ratify legal same sex marriages. While it may not have been his intention to to be placed in the spotlight, the fact is it now shines brightly upon him. Rev. Farrow wasn't just spouting personal opinion when he spoke out on behalf of gay marriage, he did the unimaginable, he used the Bible and religious doctrine to support his claim, and he did it from the pulpit. In doing so he drew a reprimand straight from the Vatican, alienated some of his congregation, and became a lightning rod. Still he refuses to back down.

What makes Rev. Farrow unique in this is that for the most part the Bible is used by Christians who disagree with homosexuality to paint it as being a sin, while he uses it to refute that claim and many others. While it is generally accepted gay marriage will not pass if left up to the vote in many states in large part due to many seeing it as being a religiously impure state of being, his words and actions have caused many people to stop, think, and in some cases change their mind and become a supporter of gay marriage. While it won't change everyones minds, every little bit helps as it promotes tolerance.

While the Catholic Church does not oppose full legal rights for gays, it does oppose one which is marriage. This was contrary to Farrow's own belief as both a human and a gay man. That is correct, the Reverend is an out of the closet homosexual which is just fine with the church, so far at least. The Reverend raises an interesting question in stating, "At what point do you cease to be an agent for healing and growth and become an accomplice of injustice?"

He pointed out something in his homily which was of great interest in exploring what marriage really is in regards to religion. He cites there are two ends to marriage, the unitive and procreative. The unitive is the joining of two people based on love and life, while the procreative is obviously to create offspring. While few people ever raise this, the unitive marriage without the intent or ability to procreate is just as valid, in fact it may be more so valid because procreation can be easily achieved without marriage.

What really set many people thinking however was his citation of John J. McNeill's book "The Church and the Homosexual which examines one of the most commonly used "bash scriptures" Romans 1:26. This following statement

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>