Hello my fellow Steemians.
Yesterday, I came across a #news on my phone about countries that have legalized same-sex marriage and I will like to share it with us. Well, I will also be adding what the Bible say about it.
Australia
Australia signed the bill to legalize same sex marriage on Dec. 8, 2017. After over 61.6 percent citizens supported the reform in a postal survey in November 2017, the legislation went through Parliament without amendments. “Australians had their say and overwhelmingly voted yes to marriage equality, to love, respect and commitment,” Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said. Couples can start filing a formal intention to get married from Dec. 9, 2017, and get married from Jan. 9, 2018.
(Pictured) A couple celebrates the Parliament's decision in Melbourne, Australia, on Dec. 7.
Argentina
Argentina became the first Latin American nation to legalize same-sex marriages, on July 15, 2010. The law came into effect seven days later.
(Pictured) Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner (C) holds a plaque given by members of the Argentine Federation of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgenders at the government house, after Kirchner promulgated the law, on July 21, 2010, in Buenos Aires.
Austria
The Constitutional Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage releasing a statement: "The Constitutional Court nullified with a decision on December 4, 2017 the legal regulation that until now prevented such couples from marrying." The country had previously allowed same-sex couples to enter a legal partnership, but not marry. The official restriction will be lifted by the end of next year, and couples can get married from 2019.
(Pictured) A participant at the 21st Rainbow Parade in Vienna, Austria, on June 18, 2016.
Belgium
Belgium was the second country in the world to legalize gay marriages on June 1, 2003. This allowed couples from overseas to get married on the condition that their home country had also legalized same-sex marriages. However, this was amended in 2004 to allow any couple to marry if their spouse lived in Belgium for three months.
(Pictured) A couple celebrate their marriage on June 6, 2003, in Antwerp.
Brazil
The Justice’s National Council of Brazil legalized same-sex marriages on May 16, 2013, by a vote of 14-1.
(Pictured) A newly married couple at what was billed as the world's largest communal gay wedding on Dec. 8, 2013, in Rio de Janeiro.
Canada
Canada officially recognized marriage as the “the lawful union of two persons to the exclusion of all others” in 2005, but earlier court cases validated civil unions between same-sex couples as early as 2001.
(Pictured) A couple exchanges rings during their marriage ceremony presided over by a judge on Feb. 14, 2004, in Toronto.
Colombia
Same-sex couples have been able to get married in Colombia since April 2016.
(Pictured) A couple celebrates a Constitutional Court decision to give gay couples marriage rights, in front of the Justice Palace in Bogota on April 7, 2016.
Denmark
Denmark was the first country in the world to recognize civil unions between same-sex couples in 1989, but it wasn't until June 2012 where it was officially legalized. The law meant that same-sex couples could get married in civil unions as well as religious ceremonies, as they were able to get married in the Church of Denmark.
(Pictured) A newly-wed couple at Frederiksberg Church in Copenhagen on June 15, 2012.
Finland
Same-sex couples have been able to register their partnerships in Finland since 2002 but the country officially recognized marriage for all on Feb. 20, 2015.
(Pictured) Supporters of same-sex marriages outside the Finnish Parliament on Nov. 28, 2014.
France
France ratified marriage as the union between two people on May 18, 2013. However, couples have been able to enter into a civil union since November 1999.
(Pictured) The first same-sex couple to get married in France sign a document during their wedding at the city hall in Montpellier on May 29, 2013.
There are 27 countries which have legalized same-sex marriage. For further reading visit: https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/photos/countries-that-have-legalized-same-sex-marriage/ss-BBGzkoT
I am not judging anyone but let us see what the #Bible say about Homosexuality.
The Bible’s answer
God created humans to engage in sex only within the arrangement of marriage between a male and a female. (Genesis 1:27, 28; Leviticus 18:22; Proverbs 5:18, 19) The Bible condemns sexual activity that is not between a husband and wife, whether it is homosexual or heterosexual conduct. (1 Corinthians 6:18) This includes intercourse, fondling another person’s genitals, and engaging in oral or anal sex.
While the Bible disapproves of homosexual acts, it does not condone hatred of homosexuals or homophobia. Instead, Christians are directed to “respect everyone.”—1 Peter 2:17, Good News Translation.
Can a person be born homosexual?
The Bible doesn’t comment directly on the biology of homosexual desires, though it acknowledges that we are all born with a tendency to go against what God commands. (Romans 7:21-25) Rather than focus on the cause of homosexual desires, however, the Bible prohibits homosexual acts.
How to please God despite having same-sex urges.
The Bible says: “Don’t be controlled by your body. Kill every desire for the wrong kind of sex.” (Colossians 3:5, Contemporary English Version) To kill wrong desires, which lead to wrong actions, you need to control your thinking. If you regularly fill your mind with wholesome thoughts, you can more readily dismiss wrong desires. (Philippians 4:8; James 1:14, 15) While you may struggle greatly at first, it can become easier. God promises to help you to “be made new in the force actuating your mind.”—Ephesians 4:22-24.
The same struggle is faced by millions with heterosexual desires who wish to conform to the Bible’s standards. For example, those who are single with little prospect of marriage or who are married to a partner who is unable to function sexually choose to control their sexual urges despite any temptations they might face. They are able to live happily, and those with same-sex urges can do so as well if they truly want to please God.—Deuteronomy 30:19.
(https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/bible-about-homosexuality/)
Thanks for reading and God bless you.
Shalom
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