The Great Dialogue

See:   http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/uks-gay-marriage-law-clears-parliament-19682653#.Ueax6NLkOSo Britain Legalizes Gay Marriage By CASSANDRA VINOGRAD Associated Press LONDON July 17, 2013 (AP) Britain on Wednesday legalized gay marriage after Queen Elizabeth II gave her royal stamp of approval, clearing the way for the first same-sex weddings next summer. Lawmakers cheered as House of Commons Speaker John Bercow said royal assent had been given — one day after the bill to legalize same-sex marriage in England and Wales cleared Parliament. The queen's approval was a formality and is the last step necessary for a bill to become law. The law enables gay couples to get married in both civil and religious ceremonies in England and Wales, provided that the religious institution consents. The Church of England, the country's official faith, is barred from performing such ceremonies. It also will allow couples who had previously entered into civil par

Something about Psalm 82 keeps returning and returning to my mind. It's the way it deals with "gods." Here's how it opens: "God takes his stand in the council of heaven; he gives judgment in the midst of the gods." This harks back to a time when the Hebrews could actually contemplate a pantheon of gods. It was just important that God be the head god, so to speak. This is reflected even in the words of the Ten Commandments: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." But even in this Psalm a second view is presented: "Now I say to you, You are gods, and all of you children of the Most High; nevertheless, you shall die like mortals and fall like any prince." Who's this talking about? Gods? Or human beings? The Eastern Church talks about Christians becoming gods--"deification"--but they clearly are speaking figuratively to a certain extent. They never forget the distinction between the Creator and the creatures. Is this wha