The Scottish Government is consulting on proposals to redefine marriage in order to allow two men or two women to marry, and also to allow civil partnerships onto religious premises with religious services. Its “initial view” is to support the redefining marriage, but it is also listening to all views.
Today is the final day to respond (9 Dec)!
The consultation is open to all, whether you live in Scotland or not. This consultation has huge ramifications for all of us. What happens in Scotland will affect the whole of the UK.
(The consultation documents and background info can be found here > )
For full answers please see the Christian Concern Submission >
Please answer Questions 1, 5, 6, 7, 10 and 11 in particular. Please make the following points (in your own words):
Civil partnerships were introduced with the promise that they would remain non-religious. It is not appropriate to now extend them onto religious premises with religious ceremonies. Doing so blurs the distinction between marriage and civil partnerships.
Introducing religious civil partnerships and/or homosexual marriage has huge implications for freedom of belief. Individuals and churches are likely to be sued under equality legislation if they do not wish to participate, regardless of any conscience safeguards, which have never worked in the past. Many Christians have already lost their jobs because of the promotion of homosexual rights.
Introducing homosexual marriage would undermine the concept of marriage, which is meant to be between a man and a woman for the procreation of children. A homosexual relationship cannot create the same family unit for the benefit of society.
Homosexual marriage is not good for children. Children brought into homosexual marriages will be denied either a father or a mother, yet all of the evidence suggests that children are best raised with both a mother and a father.
Thank you so much for your support.
Andrea Minichiello Williams
CEO Christian Concern and the Christian Legal Centre