Meredith W. Indermaur: Experience revises viewpoint on gay marriage

In response to Danny Akin’s May 4 Point of View “What God designed”: In order to stay informed about the same-sex marriage debate, I try to give both sides my full attention. I understand Akin’s position, as I used to hold to the same.

I’m ashamed to admit that, just over 10 years ago, I wrote a letter to the editor condemning homosexuality. What moved me beyond that position is something that Akin deemed “biblical and theological” revision: my experience.

He would accuse me of rejecting “the Bible as the inspired Word of God,” because my experience of raising and loving a gay child coupled with years of biblical study both before and after the fact have informed my theology.

Our experiences always have and always will inform our theology. He would accuse me of being on the wrong side of God, because I believe this child of mine should never have to live a life without the kind of love and commitment that my husband and I share due to what he didn’t choose and cannot change. And he might accuse me of letting my love for my child muddy the theological waters, but I know, experientially, that it is exactly that kind of love that brings clarity.

This story was originally published May 9, 2015 at 4:00 PM with the headline "Meredith W. Indermaur: Experience revises viewpoint on gay marriage."