Due to the many articles that have appeared in the Butler Eagle in recent weeks concerning the subject of same-sex marriages, I felt compelled to write a letter, not to express my own notions or opinions, but to state Biblical facts.

Many individuals, from judges all the way down to ordinary citizens, have stated that they see no reason why homosexual and lesbian couples should be prohibited from getting married. In their opinion, these couples are being treated unfairly and unequally, as well as being denied their basic rights as human beings. They view the traditional definition of marriage (a man and a woman) as discriminatory and unconstitutional.

It has been said that everybody has a right to his or her opinion, but that does not necessarily make an opinion right. The fact of the matter is that marriage is not simply a man-made civil establishment, but it is a divinely ordained institution that God Himself created.

We as human beings have no right to redefine marriage based upon our faulty opinions or notions, when God has already clearly defined what marriage consists of.

In the beginning, God said it wasn't good for the man whom He had created to be alone, so He made a companion who was suitable for him. It was not mere coincidence that this companion was a woman; it was Divine providence.

God brought the woman to the man, and the institution of marriage was created. Jesus referred to this when He was questioned about marriage by the religious people of His day.

From the beginning of time to the present, God has made it very clear what is the one and only acceptable definition of marriage - one man and one woman to be together for life.

Though in our present day, homosexuality is becoming more and more acceptable, it still is something that God forbids.

Throughout the Bible, anywhere that this gross sin is mentioned, it refers to people who were immoral, desperately wicked and without God. The Bible makes it clear that those who partake of such wickedness and refuse to repent cannot enter into Heaven, regardless of how religious they might profess to be.

Their only hope is to beg God for mercy and forgiveness, promising to forsake this awful sin.

God's Word warns us not to call evil good and good, evil. Regardless of what man might decide in the courts of Earth and what laws might be enacted to permit this abominable practice, the supreme court of heaven stands firmly against it.

One day, every one of us - judges, lawmakers, politicians, preachers, all people - shall stand before the Judge of all the Earth, to give an account to Him.

God will have the final say concerning this issue.