Gay marriage..... ?

Question

I have heard of the new legislation coming in that says amoungst others that if a gay couple want to get married in a religious establishment that the priest, vicar, etc cannot refuse them?

Is this right to force a religious establishment who openly believe that being gay is a sin to bless or marry gay couples?

I believe that religion needs to move with the times we as a nation have moved on from things such as witch hunts, hiding pregnant unmarried woman away, abortions and such. At the same time would u as a gay person want to get married/blessed in a church say knowing that they believe that what u are is a sin?

Whats your opinion?

The legislation i mentioned was a topic of discussion for a class i attend and was also mentoned on a debate show on tv. It is only part of a larger legislation on giving gay people more rights, in marriage and such, supposed to be coming into force early next year.

Answer 1

What this boils down to is essentially 'should religious institutions be held accountable for discriminatory practices?'

To get to the heart of it, how do we all feel society would react if a church refused to marry a couple because of their race citing religious reasons? This would, quite rightfully, cause outrage. So why should it be acceptable to discriminate against same-sex couples?

Discrimination is discrimination, homophobia should not be accepted if played out under the shroud of religion, churches should not be able to refuse to marry partners based on homophobic views whether based in religion or not.

Answer 2

Could you kindly include the country you are referring to as your question is very confusing. This is the United Kingdom and here there is no such thing in law as a gay marriage, therefore how could (if it were true) any religious denomination be made to carry out such a ceremony? In this country(the UK) a civil partnership is legal, however this is as the term implies, civil and secular, there isn't a religious note about it. No church in this country can be forced to do something it does not believe in. I am gay and have been a guest at a civil partnership which I found to be very moving and meaningful. Also as a Christian I know that many gays at least understand(if not approve)the beliefs and sensitivities of religious organisations re religious services for the blessing of gay couples.I don't know where you are getting your information from, but it sounds very iffy to me!!

Answer 3

I am a passionate atheist, and can't see why anyone would want a religious blessing on their partnership. However, I do not think it is right to coerce by legislation a religion to abandon it's beliefs.(Stopping a religion practising things that are morally unacceptable is another thing) This can have the opposite to the desired effect, and can entrench people's prejudices, giving them a sense of rebellion and fighting for a cause. Better to just let religion atrophy and wither, in my opinion.
I can appreciate the desire to enjoy the aesthetics of a church wedding - such places should be available for civil ceremonies.

Answer 4

first of all this is an outright lie.
At NO time did anyone in the gay community want to force anyone to perform a marriage ceremony. Heck even with hetero couples they can pick and choose.
Secondly, marriage is a civil right and a legal institution, not a religious matter.
Don't believe me? Try this;
Go to a church and try and get married without the legal paperwork. Can't be done.
Now, head over to city hall and get married by a judge of justice of the peace without any mention of a magic sky-pixie. No problem at all?
Any more questions?

Answer 5

I think that religious establishments have and should have the right to determine what ceremonies they will and won't perform. Some rabbis, for example, will not marry mixed couples. The Unitarian church generally welcomes all sincere couples wanting to marry... and many of them end up joining the church because it is a welcoming place for them.

I certainly would not have wanted to be married by someone who actively resented doing it--seems like an inauspicious beginning for an official union!

Do you have a reference for the legislation you mentioned, BTW? I'm curious to learn more.

Answer 6

Not all churches etc are the same, I think it depends on the Vicar etc. Some these days are quite modern and welcoming where others are not.

I'm gay but I'm not if I'd get married really as at the moment I like my freedom and like "hetro" marriages it's not something I'd enter into just like that.

If I was religious it would be nice to have the choice I suppose but I'm sure it'll come under fire like most changes do.

Answer 7

Where did you hear this?

I'm in Canada and our laws prohibit any religious organization from being forced to marry anyone they don't want too. It was passed at the same time the gay marriage act was. It is meant to protect those who, through religious conviction, do not wish to marry gay people. It's the protection of religion act. This allows for freedom of religion and freedom from religion. It's a nice balance.

I'd be interested to know where this legislation is coming from.

Answer 8

I would not want to get married in a church,knowing that I'd be forcing a priest to perform the ceremony.I would feel very guilty,and that act in itself,of forcing someone to do something,is n't good Either.I don't trust in the bible,but I do believe there is a God.I am not a sin.You can't separate sexuality from a persons very being.Its part and parcel of a human being.God made us each unique...And plus we contribute to the alleviation overpopulation!Which is really awesum.

Answer 9

I believe that state and religion should be kept separate. I think religion should be kept out of decision making in the government and I think that the government should stay out of religion.

I support gay rights as in legal rights. I believe they should legally have the same rights as straight people and among other things I want them to be allowed to get married. I don't think any religious institution should be forced into blessing gay couples though if that is against their religion. I don't think it should be up to the government to decide whether religious institutions accept and bless gay marriages. I believe that decision should be made by the religious institutions themselves.

Answer 10

Sorry, that's vicious rumor started by the religious in an attempt to further vilify same sex marriage. I've yet to hear any sort of legitimate legislation of that sort being proposed(and In America, such legislation is strictly prohibited by the First Amendment.)

There are plenty of legitimate Churches that will perform a Same-Sex Marriage (both Christian and Non-Christian), there is no need to force others to perform them that do not wish to do so.