Monday, October 03, 2011

Same-sex marriage ban denies freedom, say religious groups

Religious leaders have backed the introduction of same-sex marriages and warned that the current ban is an "intolerable intrusion" into public freedom.
 
The group representing a "disparate" group of churches and organisations yesterday insisted there is no "single Christian or religious view" on the issue after the Catholic Church hit out at the plans.

The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on the issue, but First Minister Alex Salmond has indicated that he backs same-sex marriage.

Richard Holloway, former Bishop of Edinburgh in the Episcopal Church, said: "What you are doing is you're denying this couple who want to make this pledge to each other from being able to do it.

"That's what people are beginning to realise. (It] is an intolerable intrusion into people's freedom and integrity.

"History has shown that whenever those things have come to human consciousness, they've slowly been changed and we're in the midst of that slow change here in Scotland."

Civil partnerships give gay couples the same legal rights and status as married couples, but the ban on marriage has led to claims of a second-class relationship.

"It seems to me entirely unjust," said the Rev Maud Robinson of the Scottish Unitarians.

"Governments are stepping into a place which really is the realm of religious leaders.

"They are saying we recognise these partnerships in law, we recognise same-sex couples can have all of the legal rights that accrue to heterosexual relationships, but they can't ask for the blessing of God on their relationship."

Mr Holloway, who said he was speaking in a personal capacity and not on behalf of the Episcopal church , added that the opposition from Catholic bishops was "no surprise", but pointed to a social attitudes survey indicating 57 per cent of Catholic churchgoers backed the measure.

"There is no single Christian or religious view on this subject," he added.

"Many religious people and organisations actually agree with same-sex marriage."
Representatives of the Jewish community, the Quakers, the Metropolitan Community Church and the Buddhist Community of Interbeing were among those represented at yesterday's event in Edinburgh.

The groups endorsed a controversial motion at Holyrood by the SNP's John Mason which states that no organisation should be forced to be involved in, or approve of, same-sex marriage.

It sparked an angry backlash in SNP ranks, with MEP Alyn Smith, who is gay, slamming the move.

Mr Holloway said: "Religious institutions that oppose same-sex marriages should be free to refuse to do so."

Rabbi Mark Solomon, of the Liberal Jewish Community, warned that many secular groups see religious groups as "inherently conservative and 'anti-' lots of things."

He added: "If this were not to get through because of strong religious opposition, it would reinforce that sense of many people in society that religion is simply there to squash freedom rather than to extend it."