13 December 2012 Watford, United Kingdom [BUC News] Culture Secretary Maria Miller has stated that “I am absolutely clear that no religious organisation will ever be forced to conduct marriages for same sex couples, and I would not bring in a bill which would allow that.”
In her statement to MPs on Tuesday, 11 December 2012, she made clear that the government plans to introduce legislation to allow ‘same sex marriage’ before the next elections in 2015. This will include the possibility for some churches to ‘opt-in’ to be able to perform religious ceremonies although this will not be possible for the Church of England or the Church of Wales.
The announcement confirms the fears of those religious groups who, back at the start of the government’s consultation period in March 2012, voiced concerns that the push for civil same sex weddings would inevitably lead to a push for churches to perform the ceremony as well. Despite government assurances at the time this is exactly what has happened.
The pressure group, Christian Concern notes, “The Government’s consultation on the issue pledged that same sex ‘marriage’ ceremonies would only be conducted in civil settings and that no religious institution will be permitted to participate.”
On Friday, 16 March 2012, BUC News stated: “Adventists are concerned about any change to the definition of marriage, and are equally worried that if this change is made, and despite the government’s insistence on safeguards, that it will not be long before pressure comes to bear to insist that religious groups would have to perform such ceremonies.”
Mrs Miller has announced a “quadruple lock” intended to ensure that churches which do not wish to conduct same sex ‘marriages’ would not be forced to. However, Conservative MP Anne McIntosh drew attention to similar protections for churches in Denmark which were later ruled as illegal.
“This is a process of continued pressure that is unlikely to stop with this legislation”, states Pastor Ian Sweeney, President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the UK and Ireland. “A few years down the line, churches and individuals that choose not to ‘opt-in’ will likely be regarded as discriminatory and may well find themselves in a very difficult if not impossible position.”
In the submission the Adventist Church made to the government, they joined other faith groups in stating that, “we would express a concern that while we understand that the government will ensure that religious organisations and celebrants will not have to register same sex marriages against their will, that this can nevertheless be the start of a process that may in the future be further changed thereby causing a potential clash between genuinely held religious belief and the dictates of legislation.” You can read the full statement here.
Pastor Sweeney is one of many Adventists who will join with other, like-minded Christians, in writing to their MP and expressing their concerns. Sample letters can be found on the Christian Concern website.
Pastor Victor Hulbert, Communication and Media spokesperson for the Adventist Church knows from experience that a well written letter works. “I wrote to my MP back in April”, Pastor Hulbert states. “I received a polite but non-committal reply from him. However, I later found a newspaper article where he stated that he had changed his mind on the issue due to a letter from a constituent.” His MP is likely to be receiving another missive this next week – and as well over 1,000 Adventists live in his constituency, it may be that the one letter could be multiplied by many more.
“MPs do listen, especially if they think they may lose your vote at the next election”, adds Pastor Sweeney. “This is an important issue, and making your voice heard could make all the difference.” [tedNEWS]
tedNEWS Staff: Miroslav Pujic, director; Deana Stojkovic, editor
119 St Peter’s Street, St Albans, Herts, AL1 3EY, England
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.ted-adventist.org
tedNEWS is an information bulletin issued by the communication department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Trans-European Division.
You are free to re-print any portion of the bulletin without need for special permission. However, we kindly request that you identify tedNEWS whenever you publish these materials.
