Mike Gallagher, radio talk show host, has really been on a tear, encouraging the idea that the Republican Party should endorse the establishment of government recognition of civil unions for gay couples. I’ve heard him three times, starting with Michael Steel, head of the Republican Party, suggest endorsement of civil unions. To Michael Steel’s credit, he turned the idea down flatly. Gallagher’s idea is that this is a way for the Republican part to not seem so hard line, while at the same time fighting for preservation for marriage.
This is a really bad idea. First off, yes I’m opposed to the establishment of civil unions. I don’t mean to convey an attitude of “how dare you support civil unions” toward fellow conservatives. But us religious conservatives are still an important block of the conservative movement, and this idea is an affront to us.
For conservatives who are open to the idea of government recognition of civil unions, let me explain. Those of us with a traditional Christian view of homosexuality, view that behavior as destructive, disordered behavior, and those engaged in that lifestyle are committing a grave sin. I know there are some whacky groups out there who go around picketing events with signs that God hates f**s, but the overwhelming body of Christianity also instructs us not to hate, and to treat everyone with respect.
So here’s the thing with civil unions. They are meant as something that will help gay couples in certain legal situations. I’m not out to harm anyone, but I don’t want to help them in their lifestyle. I accept that there are people out there who consider themselves gay, and think there is nothing wrong with their lifestyle, but I don’t agree that it’s a good thing, and I don’t feel obligated to help them carry on that lifestyle. While civil unions aren’t as bad as abortion, there is a similarity in this sense. It goes against my religious beliefs to support something that will aid in the termination of an innocent life. It also goes against my religious beliefs to support something that will aid in destructive and sinful behavior.
So what do I think  the Republican Party should or should not do. Given that the Republican Party follows the big tent strategy, and a good many people with moderate to conservative views on other issues are supportive of recognizing civil unions, So I understand the party will probably be reluctant to outright oppose them. So my recommendation is for the Republican party to oppose judicial activism that could force recognition of civil unions, and call for allowing it to be a state issue. Let the people, either directly, or through their state legislature, vote it in.
At the same time, given the votes against same sex marriage in the last election, the party should still take an outright stand against changing the definition of marriage from being a union of one man and one woman.