Today I read this article in Huffington Post by Michelangelo Signorile titled “USA Today Columnist Cal Thomas: Gay Marriage Is A Sign of the ‘End Times.'” In the piece Signorile quotes conservative columnist Cal Thomas, who says, paraphrased, if the Supreme Court rules in favor of same-sex marriage, that’s just a sign of the end times, before adding, “everything is right on schedule.” In other words, Thomas has at least reluctantly given up his fight against marriage equality because the bible prophesied this would happen and that this would be a sign of the “end times.” In other, other words: If this is what god wants, there’s not much we can do to stop it.

While I wholeheartedly disagree with Thomas’ stance on bible prophesies, the “end times,” or any of the supernatural claims of his religion, I feel like his statement is a breath of fresh air, validating a conundrum that’s always plagued me.

See, I stand dumbfounded whenever a follower of an Abrahamic religion warns us against doing something — particularly a social thing — because doing so would be a sign of the end times. So what? Isn’t that what you want to happen anyway? Isn’t the end of the end times precisely the point where Jesus will return to earth to begin the process of restoring it to Eden?

If same-sex marriage brings about the end times and leads to Satan’s defeat and the destruction of evil, I don’t see why more Christians and Muslims aren’t quick to accept it as legal.

Well, I can, actually. Unfortunately many people conflate accepting something as legal with supporting it. They feel accepting same-sex marriage is the same as supporting same-sex marriage. This can’t be further from the truth. For example, I accept it’s legal to stockpile assault rifles in the US (within a legal framework often involving permits, but that’s beside the point), but that in no way means I support the idea of stockpiling assault rifles. I accept my neighbor has a right to those weapons, but I’m not excited about the idea of him having them.

In other words, when I say, “If same-sex marriage brings about the return of Jesus, isn’t that a good thing? And therefore wouldn’t it be better to just accept it?” the common retort I hear is, “If I don’t fight against gay marriage then god will judge me.” This retort bastardizes acceptance for outright supportive embrace of same-sex marriage. The two are not the same, and they ought to be reminded of that.

Don’t worry though. The worst thing that will happen to society post same-sex marriage is same-sex divorce. It’s extraordinarily unlikely that the end times are manifestable.