The New Zealand government is currently debating whether to make gay marriage legal. I have submitted against this proposal, and am appearing before the government select committee considering this matter tomorrow (Monday 28 January) to present my case orally. I would appreciate prayer that I would know what to say, and that my line of reasoning would resonate with at least some of the committee members.
This debate has been greatly frustrating for me as the bulk of the Christian opposition to the bill has been around the slogan "One man, one woman, that's marriage" - a statement I technically agree with, but don't agree with what most people mean by it! Also, most Christians seem to think marriage is a Christian religious institution, and should remain only for heterosexual, monogamous couples because that's what the church teaches. When I point out that other religions also marry, I've had responses like "but that's not really a proper marriage"! This line of reasoning isn't going to go far with a secular government. Why should they enforce the ideas of one religion? Actually, they shouldn't, so there is a strong possibility that all this opposition is only going to make the government more keen to introduce gay marriage to avoid being accused of religious discrimination.
My written submission is at the link below.
http://www.parliament.nz/NR/rdonlyr...I_00DBHOH_BILL11528_1_A292294_DrSamuelJam.pdf
The key website for the Christian opposition to the bill is below, if you want some background information.
http://www.protectmarriage.org.nz/
This debate has been greatly frustrating for me as the bulk of the Christian opposition to the bill has been around the slogan "One man, one woman, that's marriage" - a statement I technically agree with, but don't agree with what most people mean by it! Also, most Christians seem to think marriage is a Christian religious institution, and should remain only for heterosexual, monogamous couples because that's what the church teaches. When I point out that other religions also marry, I've had responses like "but that's not really a proper marriage"! This line of reasoning isn't going to go far with a secular government. Why should they enforce the ideas of one religion? Actually, they shouldn't, so there is a strong possibility that all this opposition is only going to make the government more keen to introduce gay marriage to avoid being accused of religious discrimination.
My written submission is at the link below.
http://www.parliament.nz/NR/rdonlyr...I_00DBHOH_BILL11528_1_A292294_DrSamuelJam.pdf
The key website for the Christian opposition to the bill is below, if you want some background information.
http://www.protectmarriage.org.nz/
