The Government’s consultation on the introduction of same-sex marriage has been criticised for being a “sham” exercise that will not take into account opposing views.
The Campaign Director for the Coalition for Marriage, Colin Hart, suggested that the Government are now also redefining the meaning of ‘consultation’. He stated:
“After initially relenting and promising to include a question on the principle of introducing same sex marriage it is clear from the written statement given to both Houses of Parliament by the Equalities Minister that she will simply ignore any answers to this question.
“I always thought that a consultation was about listening to people and asking them their views, before making a decision. Not only are they redefining the meaning of marriage, they're redefining the meaning of consultation.
“This consultation is a sham. It is being pushed through despite the public never having a say on this change. None of the main political parties proposed redefining marriage in their manifestos and the impact assessment misses out many of the possible problems that could occur if this institution is redefined, for example how this change will affect our schools.
“The institution of marriage is the not the play thing of the state, it belongs to society and therefore cannot be redefined by a few politicians obsessed with appearing ‘trendy’ and ‘progressive’.
Nearly 220,000 people have now signed a petition seeking to protect the legal definition of marriage as that between one man and one woman. A petition supporting the Government’s proposals has attracted 30,000 signatures.
Comment
Andrea Minichiello Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, said:
“The consultation is anything but. There is no democratic mandate to redefine marriage, and to do so is a huge mistake.
“Marriage has stood the test of time for hundreds of years. It is an institution that is not just about commitment, but also about procreation and raising children with both a mother and a father, giving them the best start in life and thereby benefitting the whole of society. All of the evidence suggests that children do best with both a mum and a dad.
“A same-sex partnership cannot by definition provide this, as it will always deny a child either a mother or a father. Whatever your politics, that is unacceptable.
“Marriage between a man and a woman should therefore remain an honoured institution, supported by the State, for the good of future generations, and not redefined to suit the whims of political correctness.
“I would encourage everyone to sign the Coalition for Marriage petition as soon as they can.”
Source
Resources
Consultation on same-sex marriage
Christian Concern: Religious Freedom