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On the other hand, many evangelicals, such as Roberts, want to be fair to homosexuals. "We don't want to stick them with higher taxes," Roberts says.

David Midwood of Vision New England, a multicultural coalition, suggests a middle way. He supports some kind of "domestic partnership to bring health insurance and property rights to homosexual unions as well as to nonsexual, nonmarried relations like a 94-year-old mother being taken care of by her child."

National evangelical leaders face the same dilemma. Last November they held a stormy meeting with Republicans on Capitol Hill. The Republicans, led by Rep. Marilyn Musgrave of Colorado, refused to back an amendment to the Constitution that would ban civil unions. Faced with certain defeat in Congress, most Christian organizations agreed to back Musgrave's version, which leaves the question of civil unions to the states.

In late February, President Bush endorsed the Federal Marriage Amendment, saying that "activist courts have left only one recourse." Likely Democratic nominee Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts opposes gay marriage but voted against doma. Gay marriage, then, will roil both Massachusetts and the rest of the country at least through November.

Tony Carnes is a senior news writer for CT.

Copyright © 2004 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Christianity Today's past coverage of the gay marriage debate includes:

Civil Unions: Would a Marriage by any Other Name Be the Same? | Some theologically conservative Christians support civil unions and remain opposed to same-sex marriage. (March 08, 2004)

Why Gay Marriage Would Be Harmful | Institutionalizing homosexual marriage would be bad for marriage, bad for children, and bad for society. (Feb. 19, 2004)

Let No Law Put Asunder | A constitutional amendment defending marriage is worth the effort. (Jan. 26, 2004)

Massachusetts Court Backs Gay Marriage | Christians say gay activists will overturn marriage laws (Dec. 10, 2003)

'A Man and a Woman' | Activists say the Federal Marriage Amendment will be the defining issue in the next election. (Nov. 24, 2003)

The Next Sexual Revolution | By practicing what it preaches on marriage, the church could transform society. (Aug. 27, 2003)

The Marriage Battle Begins | Profamily and gay activists agree: Texas decision sets significant precedent. (Aug. 11, 2003)

Canada Backs Gay Marriages | Conservatives say decision could put pressure on dissenting churches. (July 16, 2003)

Marriage in the Dock | Massachusetts case on gay marriage could set off chain reaction. (April 25, 2003)

Christian Conservatives Split on Federal Marriage Amendment | Law would protect marriage from courts, but legislatures could still extend marital benefits to same-sex unions. (July 20, 2002)

Defining Marriage | Conservatives advocate amendment to preserve traditional matrimony. (October 1, 2001)

No Balm in Denver | Episcopalians defer debate over same-sex blessings for another three years. (July 17, 2001)

Marriage Laws Embroil Legislatures | New Englanders push for domestic-partner benefits. (April 26, 2001)

Presbyterians Propose Ban on Same-Sex Ceremonies | Change to church constitution, which passes by only 17 votes, now goes to presbyteries. (July 5, 2001)

Sticking With the Status Quo | United Methodists reject gay marriage, ordination. (May 15, 2000)

Presbyterians Vote Down Ban on Same-Sex Unions | Opponents say vague wording led to defeat. (March 29, 2001)

States Consider Laws on Same-Sex Unions California to vote on 'limit on marriage' in March (Jan. 10, 1999)

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April 2004, Vol. 48, No. 4