A new campaign group has been launched to oppose the Government’s plans to redefine marriage.
The Coalition for Marriage (C4M) group wants to retain the current definition of a union between one man and one woman.
The Government is due to launch a consultation in the coming weeks on redefining marriage to include gay couples.
If Britain goes ahead with the change, it will become the sixth country in Europe to recognise gay marriage behind Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Spain and Norway.
C4M is being led by the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey.
Writing in the Daily Mail, he said: “The honourable estate of matrimony precedes both the state and the church, and neither of these institutions have the right to redefine it in such a fundamental way. For thousands of years, the union of one man and one woman has been the bedrock of societies across cultures, all around the world. Marriage is a cornerstone of our society. Because of this, I believe the general public will oppose the present attempt to fundamentally alter – and undermine – the institution.”
Colin Hart, C4M chairman and head of the Christian Institute, said the plans to redefine marriage were “profoundly anti-democratic”.
He said: “The 24 million married people in this country are not even going to be asked whether they mind their marriage being redefined. The Government is running away from this public debate. They are bulldozing ahead without any thought for the consequences.”
C4M is asking people to sign its petition calling for the current definition of marriage to remain.
Online: c4m.org.uk