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Sermon on the Mount supports gay civil unions, according to Obama

Jesus' Sermon on the Mount backs up same-sex civil unions, believes US presidential hopeful Barack Obama.

by Jennifer Riley, US Correspondent

Posted: Wednesday, March 5, 2008, 7:22 (GMT)

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Barack Obama defended same-sex civil unions Sunday by referring Christians opposed to the practice to Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, which he contends supports gay civil unions.

"I believe in civil unions that allow a same-sex couple to visit each other in a hospital or transfer property to each other," Obama said, referring to unions that provide all the legal benefits of marriage but the title, according to Christian Broadcasting Network.

"I don't think it should be called marriage, but I think that it is a legal right that they should have that is recognised by the state.

"If people find that controversial, then I would just refer them to the Sermon on the Mount, which I think is, in my mind, for my faith, more central than an obscure passage in Romans," the Democratic presidential candidate contends. "That's my view. But we can have a respectful disagreement on that."

Media agencies speculate that Obama was referring to Matthew 7:12: "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you."

Obama was responding to a question posed by a local pastor during an appearance in Nelsonville, Ohio. Pastor Leon Forte had asked the candidate how he plans to win the support of evangelical voters who disagree with him on moral issues.

Not all Christians are happy with Obama's use of the Bible to defend gay civil unions, however.

As a matter of public policy, the best way to honour God's intention for marriage and human sexuality is to keep monogamous, heterosexual marriage privileged in law.

Denny Burk, professor of the New Testament at Criswell College in Dallas

Pastor John Barner, manager of pastoral care at Focus on the Family, said: "We are always saddened as evangelical Christians when others who identify themselves as Christians do not have the high view of Scripture that we believe is so important.

"We believe isolated portions of Scripture should not be used to justify a personal preference or a social position that goes in a different direction than the overall message of Scripture."

The FOTF pastor said that Scripture is "pretty clear" in defining and affirming that marriage is "an exclusive, lifetime relationship between a man and a woman".

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Added: Wednesday, March 26, 2008, 15:26 (GMT)

Actually, the Bible is pretty clear we should "judge not lest we be judged," and "do unto others..." ... both passages are from the Sermon on the Mount and are core Christian values. Clearly that was what Obama was referring to when he made his statement. I don't think he's asking anyone to condone homosexual behavior per se. He's simply advocating legal unions between same sex partners should carry the same benefits (and responsibilities) under the law as a heterosexual marriage. We grant criminals, cheaters and child abusers legal marriages. Does that mean we condone their behavior? From Obama's point of view, this is a human rights issue. He's not asking anyone to make a moral judgment about homosexual behavior. He's merely asking for equal rights for everyone under the law. From his point of view, this is in keeping with core Christian values as presented in the Sermon on the Mount.

Darren, NM

Added: Thursday, March 6, 2008, 21:14 (GMT)

I think Obama is right, same sex unions have been around for years, as partnerships and corporations. Why not make this a legal option for anyone? Senator Obama was right about the agreement does not constitute a marriage or did you fail to see those words in the statement.

writeonbro, usa

Added: Thursday, March 6, 2008, 10:17 (GMT)

That's an interesting take on the Sermon on the Mount. I think the Bible's pretty clear on what position we should be taking.

Claire, Banbury

Added: Wednesday, March 5, 2008, 18:46 (GMT)

There are 2 kinds of Christians. Christians who let the bible sculpt their views on society and Christians who let society sculpt their views on the bible. Sadly, Obama is of the impressionable kind.

Desmond, Detroit, MI

Added: Wednesday, March 5, 2008, 17:04 (GMT)

Sir, It never fails to amaze me. So called 'Christian America'. How dare this man say that the teachings of Jesus on the Sermon on the Mount condones homosexuality. If that was the case which it is not!, then Jesus would have been denying His Father, God would have had to have revoked the command in the book of Leviticus and because God does not change, because He does not neither will He ever change the thing that is gone out of His mouth, and Jesus would have immediately ceased to be one with His Father. Come on Obama, a kid in Sunday school would know not to say such blasphemy, for that's what you have done, you have blasphemed. Read your Bible and before opening mouth engage brain.......PLEASE! Never giving up! David

David Husband, Birmingham U.K.