The short answer is “No.” The question has taken on fresh life as the low-information media, looking for a “gotcha” question, has been grilling GOP presidential candidates on their willingness to attend sodomy-based nuptials. Santorum, no. Rubio, yes. Perry, yes. Walker, yes. Cruz, irrelevant question.

Why should a Christian politely decline to attend a homosexual wedding? For exactly the same reason a Christian baker should politely decline to bake a wedding cake for those engaged in sodomy. It sends a message of affirmation for something God has plainly condemned.

A wedding is a celebration. Guests are there to rejoice with and congratulate the couple. Their presence represents approval.

Approving of homosexual “marriage” in any way, shape or form is one thing no sincerely devoted follower of Christ can do. This is simply because a homosexual “marriage” is based on a sex act the Bible uniformly condemns from beginning to end as immoral, unnatural and unhealthy.

Homosexual “marriage” is a sham and a counterfeit. In reality, there is no such thing as a homosexual “marriage,” since God has defined marriage from the dawn of time as the union of one man and one woman. Jesus reaffirmed God’s definition of marriage with words that came from his own lips during his incarnation.

You can call a homosexual union a “marriage” if you choose, you can even write it into law, the Supreme Court can even tyrannically impose it on an entire nation, but calling it a “marriage” doesn’t make it one. You can call iron pyrite “gold” if you wish, but any competent metallurgist will expose it as counterfeit in an instant.

Near my hometown of Boise, Idaho, is a ski resort named Bogus Basin. The story has it that it got its name from Captain Tom Morgan and a group of scoundrels who filed a mining claim near Shafer Butte. Then they showed up in town with their first haul, $50,000 worth of what turned out to be chemically-tuned Fool’s Gold.

They skedaddled after spending their ill-gotten gains and were never heard from again. Not long after, in 1871, an assay office was opened in Boise (it’s still there) to prevent people from being swindled in the future.

The research done by the CDC – not a part of the vast, right-wing conspiracy – has plainly shown that homosexual behavior among men is a greater risk to human health even than intravenous drug abuse. (Roughly 65% of all males who have even been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS contracted it through engaging in sodomy with other men, while 25% contracted through IV drug use.)

To use a stark but appropriate parallel, ask yourself this question: if a friend decided to open up a shooter’s shop, a drug den where folks could go and inject themselves in a warm, inviting atmosphere, could you attend the open house and celebrate the grand opening?

(One can understand that a parent might attend a same-sex ceremony in an effort to retain some relational connection with a much-loved but wayward child. But a parent should only do that after first communicating that attendance should not be read as approval.)

Is a refusal to attend a same-sex wedding of a friend or family member an act of hate? No, on the contrary it is an act of love. Genuine compassion says, “I love you too much to give my approval to behavior that will damage you in body, soul and spirit. It is because I love you that I cannot come.”

Sometimes love means we must say “No.” And saying “No” to attending a “wedding” based on sodomy is one of those times.

(Unless otherwise noted, the opinions expressed are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Family Association or American Family Radio.)