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Christians for Marriage Equality Welcomes Committee Report
Wednesday, 27 February 2013, 4:03 pm
Press Release: Christians for Marriage Equality
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- Media Release -Christians for Marriage Equality
Welcomes Select Committee Report
The
national network Christians for Marriage Equality welcomes
the Report of the Government and Administration Select
Committee on the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment
Bill.
Christians for Marriage Equality believes that the
Committee balanced the concerns of the range of religious
submitters and made it clear that the Bill will not diminish
the freedom of religion of those who oppose it.
It also
addresses the current situation in which churches that would
like to treat gay and lesbian couples, and transgender
persons, equally are not able to do so.
The Select
Committee report says of religious supporters: “Other
people with religious convictions argue that marriage is
foremost about celebrating the love shared between two
people, and that their inability to marry same-sex couples
constitutes a constraint on their freedom to practice their
religion.”
Christians for Marriage Equality
spokesperson, Rev Dr Margaret Mayman, is delighted that the
Select Committee has recognised this aspect of religious
freedom.
She said, “We believe that discriminating
against some couples is morally wrong and that our faith
requires an ethic of inclusiveness and
hospitality.
“Marriage has a complex history and
multiple meanings in religion and society. It has evolved
through time to become a commitment between two people who
love each other. And now that marriage is not determined by
procreation, property transfer, or gender inequality, but by
love, friendship, compassion and commitment, there is no
reason to exclude people on the basis of sex, sexual
orientation or gender identity.”
Christians for Marriage
Equality also supports the Committee’s proposed amendment
to make it clear that religious organisations which hold the
view that marriage should only be between a man and a woman
would not be required to marry same-sex couples, but hopes
for a day when all people of faith will embrace gay and
lesbian couples and their
families.
ENDS
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