How Could Angela Merkel, Such a Great Leader, Vote Against Same-Sex Marriage?

Germany has voted to legalize same-sex marriage.  By a vote of 393-226, the Bundestag approved the measure today.  What was most interesting to me, however, was this article in The Washington Post: “Why Angela Merkel, known for embracing liberal values, voted against same-sex marriage.”

As the article says, Chancellor Merkel “welcomed over 1 million refugees, abandoned nuclear energy over safety fears and has urged President Trump to respect human rights.”  The clear implication of the article is: Given all the right and proper views she has and all the right and proper things she has done, how could she possibly vote against same-sex marriage?

But the interesting thing is less how Chancellor Merkel voted and more the close-mindedness of those who are asking how she could have possibly voted against their position.  It seems beyond their comprehension that anybody could disagree with them.

The same thing happened earlier this month in the United Kingdom.  Tim Farron, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, resigned as leader of the party because of the harassment he was getting as a result of his views on abortion and homosexual sex.  Ultimately, Mr. Farron agreed with what is deemed to be the proper position, but he didn’t do it quickly enough.  In resigning, Mr. Farron said:

“From the very first day of my leadership, I have faced questions about my Christian faith.  I’ve tried to answer with grace and patience.  Sometimes my answers could have been wiser.

The consequences of the focus on my faith is that I have found myself torn between living as a faithful Christian and serving as a political leader.

To be a political leader – especially of a progressive, liberal party in 2017 – and to live as a committed Christian, to hold faithfully to the Bible’s teaching, has felt impossible for me.”

Chancellor Merkel will not be harassed into resignation as Mr. Farron was, but the mindset of those who are questioning both of them is the same.  If you are a liberal, if you believe in “liberal values,” how could you possibly not agree with us on this issue?  There is only one right and proper view.  And if you don’t believe it, you are not right and proper yourself.

The world of those with “right and proper views” is truly a narrow and confining place, with no room for anyone who disagrees with them on issues they deem important.