Marriage and parenting: What does God say about homosexual marriage, polygamy, and three men adopting a daughter?

By Sharayah Colter

February 10, 2026

Debates about marriage and family have been at the center of American cultural life for many years. When advocates on the political left argued for the legalization of same-sex marriage, one of the most common claims was that marriage was primarily a private matter between consenting adults. The refrain “mind your own business” suggested that redefining marriage would have little effect beyond the individuals directly involved. From a Christian worldview, however, marriage has never been understood as merely private. Rather, marriage is a God-ordained institution that shapes communities, establishes norms, and—importantly—forms the environment in which children are reared.

Recent cultural developments, including unconventional family arrangements that would have been nearly unthinkable a generation ago, have reinforced concerns among those who believe marriage is designed to provide children with both a mother and a father. From this perspective, the structure of the family is not incidental but foundational. Mothers and fathers bring distinct gifts, experiences, and forms of care to parenting. While no family is perfect and many single parents heroically raise children under difficult circumstances, the historic understanding of marriage has emphasized the complementary roles of men and women in the home.

The case of three men in Canada in a polygamous relationship adopting a 3-year-old girl is one of the latest examples of what happens when long-held standards for marriage and family are rejected in favor of an “every man did that which was right in his own eyes” philosophy (Judges 17:6). While an adoption agency saw fit to place the young child in the “throuple” family, the three men are taking their case to court to move Quebec toward recognizing three men as valid parents in the same way Canadian provinces Ontario, British Columbia and Saskatchewan already have.

Statistics and anecdotal evidence affirm that children placed in homosexual homes are more likely to become homosexually active, more susceptible to sex trafficking, more likely to be sexually active at a young age and outside of marriage, more likely to explore transgenderism, and more likely to becomes victims of sexual abuse. Additionally, children in homosexual homes are more likely to be on government assistance or welfare, are less likely to be employed, are more likely to use drugs, and are more likely to suffer from depression. The Family Research Council offers reporting and analysis of related statistical results from the 2012 New Family Structures Study here. While no family is immune to brokenness or guaranteed to provide a safe homelife, statistics affirm that odds of safety and success are much better for children raised in a stable home environment with a married mother and father.

For Christians, these convictions are rooted not primarily in social theory but in Scripture. The Bible presents marriage as a covenantal union between one man and one woman, ordered toward companionship, faithfulness, and the raising of children (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4–6). Within that framework, sexual relationships outside this design—including adultery, polygamy, and same-sex sexual relationships—are understood as departures from God’s intention for human flourishing. Passages such as Leviticus 18 and Romans 1 reflect this moral vision, which Christians throughout history have believed promotes both personal holiness and societal stability.

This belief is not simply about rules, but about consequences. When God’s design for marriage and family is set aside, many Christians believe the results can include confusion about identity, instability in the home, and long-term emotional challenges for children. Even beyond specifically Christian teaching, social science research has often emphasized the importance of stable, committed parenting relationships for child development. From a faith-based perspective, this reinforces the conviction that God’s commands are not arbitrary or oppressive but protective.

In a culture that increasingly treats family structure as flexible and self-defined, many believers continue to affirm that God’s way is not only authoritative but life-giving. The historic Christian teaching on marriage points toward fidelity, stability, and sacrificial love—qualities that help families and communities thrive. While society may continue to debate these questions, Christians remain called to model strong, faithful families and to trust that God’s design ultimately leads to human flourishing.