The Most Rev. Justin Welby, new leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion, spoke ahead of his enthronement at Canterbury Cathedral, admitting that he has been "deeply challenged" by the strong relationships his gay friends have, but maintained the church's support for traditional marriage.

In an interview with BBC News on Thursday, Welby admitted that he has a number of gay friends who are in strong, monogamous relationships, and said that he was "deeply challenged" by the love that they have for each other.

Welby insisted, however, that the church does not plan on changing its opposition to the legalization of gay marriage. more >>

It is troubling that a former evangelical pastor like Rob Bell would endorse same-sex marriage because "the ship has sailed… this is the world that we are living in," and because he is "for love, whether it is a man and woman, a woman and a woman, a man and a man."

His reasoning is flawed primarily because he does not hold the Bible as the authoritative word of God.

The Bible cannot be clearer on homosexuality. At every mention it is condemned as a sin (Gen. 19; Lev. 18:22, 20:13; Rom. 1:26-27; 1 Cor. 6:9-10, 1 Timothy 1: 8-10; Jude 4 ff among others). Additionally, Jesus indicated that the only alternative to heterosexual marriage was celibacy (Matt 19:10). The bible is also clear on marriage-that God created it as a covenant between himself, one man and one woman (Gen. 1:26; 2:22-24; Matt. 19:4-6; Eph. 5:22-23; 1 Cor. 7:1-16; Heb. 13:4-7; Mark 10:6-9). more >>

There are those who claim that the notion of traditional marriage should be "redefined." In fact, the Supreme Court is now considering the future of marriage in this country. Those who advocate "redefining" marriage fail to understand that we do so at great risk.

There are plenty of moral arguments that deal with the need to defend traditional marriage. However, many refuse to recognize the existence of an objective morality. For these, perhaps the best way to explain the importance of this essential institution is in terms that people today understand best-economic terms. If one can reduce things to the bottom line, it seems people sit up and take notice.

And so the bottom line is this: a wedding is more than just a social celebration; it is also a major economic event. It signals the entry of a new entity-the family-into economy that naturally favors balanced production and consumption. By its very nature, the family expands the economy by celebrating the coming of life since children are seen as blessings, not burdens. more >>

A Washington Post-ABC News poll shows that 58 percent of the country now supports redefining marriage to include same-sex couples, the highest level of support since that poll has asked the question. Most of the increase in support over the past year has come from Democrats, independents and moderates. Republicans, liberals and conservatives have changed little in their views on the topic.

In the March 2012 poll, 64 percent of Democrats and 54 percent of independents said they believed it should be legal for gay and lesbian couples to get married. In the poll conducted this month, support for redefining marriage rose to 72 percent for Democrats and 62 percent for independents.

For Republicans, on the other hand, support for redefining marriage is slightly lower than it was a year ago. In March 2012, 39 percent supported redefining marriage. Then, support declined to 29 percent in May 2012, before increasing slightly to 30 percent in August 2012, and 34 percent this month. more >>

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Supreme Court of the United States is expected to tackle the question of whether the U.S. Constitution requires states to legalize gay marriage.

The court will hear arguments next week in two cases dealing with gay marriage – Hollingsworth vs. Perry, a challenge to California's Proposition 8, which defined marriage as the union of one man and one woman; and U.S. vs. Windsor, a challenge to the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman for the purposes of federal law.

In a Tuesday symposium on the cases sponsored by The Heritage Foundation and Alliance Defending Freedom, John C. Eastman, Henry Salvatori professor of law and community service and former dean at Chapman University School of Law, said he does not expect the court to sidestep the controversial issue of gay marriage by deciding the case narrowly on a process issue, such as jurisdiction, as some have argued. Rather, Eastman expects the justices to decide whether or not the Constitution requires states to legalize gay marriage. more >>

While some Christians have expressed disappointment over Rob Bell's recent announcement that he supports same-sex marriage, the former Mars Hill Bible Church pastor had made comments in the past that were indicative of a gay-affirming view.

During a Q&A session at The Viper Room in Los Angeles last July, Bell told the audience, "Some people are gay, and you're our brothers, and you're our sisters, and we love you."

"It's really, really, really important that we're clear," Bell continued, as he described a past gay friend as "holy, loving, and generous. more >>