Was asked to post this:
Over 67,000 British citizens have signed the Westminster Declaration of Christian Conscience in 2010 in support of life, marriage and conscience. The government, led by the Prime Minister, intends to change the legal definition of marriage to allow same-sex marriage and is shortly launching a consultation on how (not if) to do it.
Over 67,000 British citizens have signed the Westminster Declaration of Christian Conscience in 2010 in support of life, marriage and conscience. The government, led by the Prime Minister, intends to change the legal definition of marriage to allow same-sex marriage and is shortly launching a consultation on how (not if) to do it.
Please take this opportunity to sign the ‘Coalition for Marriage’ Petition which was launched on Monday 20 February and has already gathered over 35,000 signatures.
This petition simply says:
‘I support the legal definition of marriage which is the voluntary union for life of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others. I oppose any attempt to redefine it.’
What you can do:
- SIGN PETITION HERE
- Forward this email to friends and colleagues
- Join the Facebook page and follow the regular updates
- Pray for the campaign
Background information:
- ‘Westminster Declaration Supports Coalition for Marriage’
- Marriage: ‘the most successful partnership in history’
- ‘Ten reasons not to legalise same-sex marriage in Britain’
Please read, add your name (if you agree of course) and 'be the difference'.
Vic
9 comments:
I'm curious. What would you say to gay Christians, who want to marry in church? Sometimes it's not about a legal, civil partnership, but a union before God. Would you deny gay people that?
I'm a new Christian. I regularly attend C of E services. I was brought to God by my friend marrying in the church and asking me to go along with her before the wedding, as her bridesmaid, to experience the church for myself. The wedding itself was beautiful and I could feel God's presence with us. I thought to myself, one day, when I find the right person, I hope to be blessed in this way.
Then the realisation dawned on me. I'm gay. So I can't have that.
So what would you say to me, as I explore my new faith? Would you really deny me a union with someone I love, joined by God as well as the law?
Being gay is not a lifestyle choice. We are created this way, by God. Would you support a ban on mixed race marriage?
I found your blog in the course of trying to find out more about the Anglican faith I'm taking on. I leave your blog feeling a little dismayed...
You won't win Vicar - take a middle view and you are a screaming liberal. Post as you have and you will be pilloried.
You might dismay others but I applaud your blog as a place of reason. Mad reason, but reason neverthe less.
Thanks
I've deleted my first attempt at replying as it appears to have been more jumbled up than even I can manage on my own - not sure what the system was doing last night!!
Taking the last first I can only say how sorry I am that my blog has left you feeling dismayed (but you're not alone, many feel like that after a visit here).
I posted the page I did because, like those speaking of homosexuality in a positive way, I was asked to. The campaign is one that is supported by many (hetero and homo-sexual) who see that civil partnerships are, and always will be, with us but that are different from marriage.
As it stands the hope of being blessed in a wedding service isn't going to happen in an Anglican Church. This is not my choice but the guidance from those above me (and also the position of many of the denominations other than Anglican).
I tend to (publicly) keep away from the whole issue of homosexuality for as you wonderfully illustrate, what is merely a issue to be discussed and debated is for others about themselves. It is also a place where two 'rights' clash and it seems that often the rights of those who hold opposing (or merely different) views are 'trumped' by others.
I think the 'mixed race' argument is about as compelling as the 'mixed fabrics' parody that some would present and so will leave that to rest (alongside prawns). The bottom line is that this is a personal issue for you and a difficult one in an emerging faith (for which I thank God).
Another problem here is that the blank 'Yes or No' is a great tool for drawing lines and the question 'why' (which you will find with more lucidity elsewhere) has to be included. That, coupled with the analogies that curse both sides cause great turmoil, stress and conflict.
As for learning about the Anglican faith - well it's here but as you've arrived on a day when what you have found doesn't bless you I fear you may not find it. Still, we all travel and work at our faith - sorry for the dismay.
Pax
Thanks Trev.
Often think I'd be better off treading a line that avoids the contentious but that wouldn't be honest, would it?
It's a shame that so often the simplest of actions brings complex and 'interesting' reactions.
Pax
A nice balanced reply Vic.
The clash of 'rights' is an interesting issue - wonder if you might give us your own particular brand of weirdness on it at some stage as this is an area where I, society and the legislature all appear to struggle.
As you say - damned if you take a moderate position - vilified if you take as position that some dislike and impotent and wek if you refuse to be enticed into any of the many camps.
As for Anglican faith and learning from you -Rebecca could do a lot worse than continue to visit here.
Thanks Vic for posting on this.
I'm afraid the 67,000 British citizens may be seen by the vast majority in our society as nothing more than 67,000 traditionally-minded people who want to deny gay people the benefits and blessings of marriage that they themselves currently enjoy.
Within the larger electorate, they are a much smaller voice - please note the results of the poll on this Daily Telegraph article:
ww.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9092729/Lord-Carey-government-does-not-have-the-right-to-legalise-gay-marriage.html
which, hopefully, is reflective of the two positions nationwide.
Yes, the Church of England does hold the position that marriage is solely between a man and a woman (even an axe-murderer and a bunny-boiler) and that a committed Christian same-sex couple of twenty years' standing should be denied marriage and be satisfied with a civil partnership....however, even the Church of England has been known occasionally to rethink its policies.
Time will indeed tell. Mind you as the church (or at least elements of it) coalesce more with society I can see that it won't be long before many of the expressions of Christian faith look no different in the services they offer or the attitudes and standards they maintain.
And the good news will be that the day will dawn when the axe-murderer and bunny-boiler being same-sex will be able to call their relationship 'marriage' - now that's progress isn't it?
It's sad that the facile comparative is used so often in discussions of the same-sex nature, sort of lowers it into a 'victim' meets the 'Marx Brothers' production.
Still, did what I was asked and as ever when it has 'that' subject anywhere in the script it descends :-)
But at least I try (might have a go at the middle bit again after Easter too!).
Pax
Thanks Vic, as expected I just couldn't help myself on this one...I just feel that the 'Rebecca's' out there need to know that there is hope and that many Christians believe that the Word is for people, not people for the Word (sorry, I'm off again...)
Good to hear that you'll be revisiting the Middle Ground, bit of a building site at the moment, bring your hard hat...
Hi Vic,
I want to thank you for your sensible and interesting reply. I asked the question I did because my curiosity is genuine. I love a lot about the Anglican church, but struggle to understand whether I'm supposed to embrace my homosexuality or not.
It seems that it's okay to be gay, but not okay to want to marry. That just seems a little...confused. Marriage is very different from a civil partnership...that's the point. I'd like God's involvement if I form a union with someone.
One of the first things I did when I found my new church was ask the vicar if there was a general attitude towards homosexuality in my church. His reply, very openly and not remotely inclinded to avoid the issue, was that there were mixed views, but the most important thing is that we love each other was one of the most reassuring things anyone has ever said to me. His acceptance has been total, and that has made a massive difference as I explore my faith. Our church will bless gay unions too.
I appreciate the way discussion on this issue often degenerates and that both sides are guilty. Funnily enough, it's as hard to "come out" as Christian with my gay friends as it is to come out as gay in my church.
My dismay was mostly that--having begun to hope I could be accepted-- one of the first things I found on your blog was that petition. It's a reminder that not everyone in my church accepts me and my rights.
But I've returned to your blog and will continue to do so...because I believe an open and receptive mind is one of the most precious gifts God has given me.
And thank you Jane. Sometimes some help kindling help is more important than most people realise.
Yes, let's leave prawns and fabrics to rest... :-)
Every blessing,
Rebecca
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