This issue a serious one. As Christians, we can no longer offer the default-border-line-homophobic response of a past generation. We must think deeply about the matter and how we are to respond. Powers, Merritt, and Bird offer excellent and thoughtful responses to the recent legislation being discussed in states like Arizona to protect Christian businesses from providing services to same-sex couples. At the moment the clouds of this issue hover only over the wedding industry. The issue, as far as I see it, is not whether same-sex marriage is wrong. I think that as Christians or at least "conservative" Christians we can agree that it is. However, does this mean that we should discriminate against same-sex couples seeking out the services we may offer (catering, photography, etc). Does providing a service equal an affirmation of the life choices of those your serving?
In my opinion, American Christianity needs to abandon the ideas of a utopian Christian nation, you know the one the founding fathers under the inspiration of divine providence intended us to have. "American patriotism" does not equal gospel patriotism. Loyalty to the founding fathers does not equal loyalty to God. I say these things because I think some may think they have the God-given, founding-father-given right to deny same-sex couples the services they offer. I don't think we have that right. It seems we have an obligation to be salt and light to the world through our life of which our work is a major part. Let us not allow our democratic rights as Americans to deceive us into thinking we have rights with God. We are his slaves going about his mission on his terms.
As Bird mentioned, we can't afford to retreat, verily, creation can't afford for us to retreat into our Christian ghettos. If we retreat and seclude ourselves "safely" from the broader society, then we must keep in mind that we're taking the gospel with us. We're removing the gospel in word and deed from the very world we're called to permeate with the gospel in word and deed. Who loses in this scenario? EVERYONE. Christians, non-believers, creation. We all will lose.
BD