MP warns of threat to conscience over marriage redefinition
Conservative MP Peter Bone has warned of the threat to freedom of conscience should marriage be redefined, describing the Government's proposals as "completely nuts".
The MP told the Telegraph that if same-sex marriage is introduced then parents and teachers who objected to promoting the new arrangements in schools could be ostracised.
“If marriage is redefined, schools will have no choice but to give children equivalent teaching on same-sex marriage, even those children of a very young age, including those at primary school,” he said.
“It is simply inconceivable in today’s world where political correctness runs amok in our institutions, that there would not be profound consequences for those who hold traditional views.
“Parents who object will be treated as bigots and outcasts, possibly excluded from being on the PTA, or from being a governor.
“Discriminated against and persecuted because they hold views that have been enshrined in our laws and have been the cornerstone of our society for 2,000 years.
“And what of the teachers who object to teaching about same-sex marriage. Will they face disciplinary action? How will it affect their careers?”
Backlash
It has been reported that Conservative MPs are planning what could be the biggest ever backbench rebellion faced by Prime Minister David Cameron over his intention to redefine marriage.
At least 100 Conservative backbenchers are thought to strongly oppose homosexual marriage. "Feelings are running high," one senior party source told the Independent recently.
Yet expressing a view on homosexuality which fails to reflect the line of homosexual activists can be extremely dangerous.
David Burrowes MP recently received a death threat for supporting the Coalition for Marriage, a campaign group formed to protect the traditional definition of marriage.
Tory candidate Philip Lardner was sacked for stating on his website that he believed homosexual acts were ‘not normal behaviour’, and Tory MP Chris Grayling’s comments about Christian bed and breakfast owners being justified in denying double beds to same-sex couples staying in their homes almost certainly cost him a cabinet post.
Christians penalised
Members of the public have also been punished, demoted or even lost their jobs for not wanting to compromise their Christian views on homosexuality.
These include Gary McFarlane, who was sacked for questioning whether he wanted to give sex therapy to two men because of his religious beliefs, and Andrew McClintock, who was forced to resign as a magistrate because he didn’t want to place small children with homosexual parents, as he did not believe that it was in children’s best interests.
More recently, a public sector employee in Manchester, Adrian Smith, was found guilty of gross misconduct and received a significant pay cut after he posted comments outside working hours on his private facebook page questioning the idea of homosexual marriages taking place on religious premises.
Source
The Telegraph: Catholics will be called to oppose gay marriage
Resource
Christian Concern: Christian demoted for expressing views on marriage
Christian Concern: David Burrowes MP receives death threat
