The bigger question is what will happen in the long run. This will remain an issue under the purview of various states until someone finds a case that the U.S. Supreme Court will take and then they could very well invoke the "full faith and credit" principle to say that a marriage in, say Massachusetts, has to be recognized in other states. Then... the only fix will be an amendment to the U.S. Constitution defining marriage as solely between one man and one woman, something that will be vehemently opposed by homosexual activists and their allies.
Who knows, maybe those who wish to retain the traditional definition of marriage (i.e. monogamous and heterosexual) will wake up to the changes around them and push back this wave of post-modernism. I certainly hope so, but the it will certainly be a sea change. I am afraid the "homosexual rights" issue is following the pattern of "abortion rights." In the latter case the war was pretty much lost over 30 years ago and even though the pro-life movement makes some headway (fewer doctors willing to do the procedures, the federal ban on partial-birth abortions), the slaughter of the innocents goes on.
What will happen? In my more pessimistic moments, I see the Orthodox (and other so-called conservative Christians) marginalized, even subject to governmental interference such as being legally liable for not hiring homosexuals in our parishes and institutions, for not being willing to marry same sex couples, or even for preaching against homosexual behavior from the pulpit.
Just as real, and perhaps more seriously, will come the challenges from those in the Church who become convinced that the Church must "change with the times." We will have to be willing to confront these misguided brethren with the truth, and sadly show them the door if they will not be corrected.
A few years ago, someone asked me, "What do you think the future of the Orthodox Church in America is?" I thought about it very briefly and answer, "Just about everything." I still believe that. There will be many who seek and find the holy Orthodox Faith because they realize that what they have now is not going to fulfill them. There will be those who leave the Church because it seems, to them, too old-fashioned and "out of step with the times," too strict, not "compassionate enough". There will be trouble within, and from without large doses of indifference, increasing hostility and who knows, maybe even persecution.
For myself I will continue to care very much about our society and country and vote for the laws and leaders that I believe will allow for the freedom of expression (religious, political, and economic), and slow the head long rush away from traditional (read Christian) culture. From the pulpit, I expect I will be more vocal regarding some of these issues, not to endorse a particular candidate or party, but as with abortion some issues are so profoundly morally that the Church must not be silent. And let us not neglect prayer, which is necessary for every good thing.
Forgive,
Fr Michael
