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SLG
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Kirk gay wedding battle | Quote: | Kirk gay wedding battle
RIVAL groups have been formed inside the Church of Scotland to do battle over gay "weddings".
The Kirk's General Assembly - which was opening today amid traditional pomp and ceremony - is set to debate a proposal that ministers should be given official permission to conduct ceremonies to mark civil partnerships.
But evangelical group Forward Together, set up last year, says the move would be a clear departure from the teaching of the Bible.
In a pamphlet circulated to all ministers and elders attending the Assembly, the group warned allowing gay marriages was "a step too far" and could split the Church.
The evangelicals' uncompromising stance prompted those on the other side of the debate to set up their own group, Affirmation Scotland, to argue the case for a "liberal and progressive" approach on sexuality.
It claims the traditionalist line on homosexuality has caused "untold damage and hurt to countless people" and argues the Church has been "richly blessed" by the witness of gay and lesbian ministers and members over many years.
And now a third group has emerged under the banner One Kirk, also backing the option for civil partnership ceremonies, but calling for discussion on the issue to be kept open. There has been controversy in the past when some ministers have held services of blessing for gay couples.
But the legislation introducing civil partnerships prompted the Kirk's legal questions committee to come up with new rules, making clear ministers will not face disciplinary action for taking services to recognise same-sex unions.
Forward Together claims the only sex approved by God is between a man and woman who are married.
The group's secretary, the Rev Ian Watson, said: "We are not calling for the civil partnership legislation to be abolished - we are going to have to live with that. But the Church should not bless what the word of God condemns."
And he rejected claims his stance was homophobic. "We are not rejecting homosexuals, we are saying active homosexual behaviour is sinful and is to be resisted."
But supporters of civil partnership ceremonies believe there are other ways of interpreting the Bible.
Professor George Newlands, spokesman for Affirmation Scotland, said: "The idea of people living in faithful, same-sex partnerships was not envisaged in these days. It simply didn't exist.
"The Church of Scotland historically has always allowed liberty of opinion.
"The proposal is not saying ministers who don't want to conduct these ceremonies should be made to do so."
And the Rev Peter Johnston, one of the founders of One Kirk, appealed for an "inclusive" Church. He said One Kirk only came into being because there had been such a positive response to a pamphlet which he and others had published, setting out the case for allowing civil partnership ceremonies.
He said: "Forward Together are implying there is only one right view. We are saying there is more than one view which you can take in good faith."
The debate on civil partnerships is due to take place on Tuesday. |
http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=750952006
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Aventinian
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I don't see why the Kirk should take a firm stance on this when they don't take a firm stance on anything else. Probably just pandering to the homophobia in society, I suppose.
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SLG
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| Aventinian wrote: | | I don't see why the Kirk should take a firm stance on this when they don't take a firm stance on anything else. Probably just pandering to the homophobia in society, I suppose. |
Indeed, I think you'll find the mainstream opinion is just that, not to take a strong stance. It is the anti-gay lobby that is more stringent. I could be wrong though.
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RadgeJougal
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I see that Scotland will be seeing the first gay divorce soon!
Perhaps the novelty shall wear off soon. As less heterosexuals seem to get married, perhaps less gays will, as they realise why divorce and co-habitation are so popular amongst the "breeders".
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Aventinian
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With this year's Family Law Act we see co-habitation begin to take on very similar effects to marriage. Evidently the state cannot let its meddling be lessened just because people don't want it.
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SLG
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| Aventinian wrote: | | With this year's Family Law Act we see co-habitation begin to take on very similar effects to marriage. Evidently the state cannot let its meddling be lessened just because people don't want it. |
How is this meddling by the state? I think you'll find that many people petitioned the Executive to have this legistlation brought in. In this instance I believe they are doing their job. To leave the situation whereby marriage provided more than a unmarried couple cohabiting in a similar situation would be artificial and meddling.
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Aventinian
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The simple way to do this would be to remove all legal rights brought about by marriage and replace them with civil alternatives. Next of kin designations, designations governing precedence for intestate successions and so forth.
It should leave the whole sphere of human relationships alone and stop trying to interfere. One of the measurements of a good law is that it stands the test of time: many Scottish laws date back to Rome or the great institutional writers. Meanwhile you'll find that family law is one of the most rapidly changing of all law.
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parkhead_rfb
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| Aventinian wrote: | The simple way to do this would be to remove all legal rights brought about by marriage and replace them with civil alternatives. Next of kin designations, designations governing precedence for intestate successions and so forth.
It should leave the whole sphere of human relationships alone and stop trying to interfere. One of the measurements of a good law is that it stands the test of time: many Scottish laws date back to Rome or the great institutional writers. Meanwhile you'll find that family law is one of the most rapidly changing of all law. |
that could cause a constitutional issue though as britain as a monarchy and in a monarchy the head of state can come to power through marriage.
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