Civil Partnerships, "Homosexual Marriage" and the Church - Briefing and Action Points

Summary

Plans to allow homosexual legal unions to take place in religious premises, including churches, have been announced by the Government. Please contact your MP and the ministers responsible to express your opposition to any such development.

What has happened?

• On Thursday 17 February the Government Equalites Office announced plans to allow homosexual civil partnerships to take place in religious settings, including churches.
   
• Proposals to allow CP's in churches represent the implementation of last minute changes made in the Equality Act (2010). However, further government consultation and legislation would be required before the arrangements were enacted.
   
• In addition to this step, the Government announced that they would consult on full homosexual "marriage" equality.
   
• This is the first major legislative challenge to biblical teaching on marriage since the general election and the formation of the Coalition government.
  
  There are many new people in Parliament and in government and they may not realise the importance of the issues at stake. It is therefore important that we bring these matters to their attention urgently, clearly and graciously - even before the full proposals are announced.

Why is it significant?

(1) The redefinition of marriage affects us all 

• The proposals threaten to blur the distinction between civil partnerships and marriage, leading to further ‘normalisation’ of homosexuality in our society. As regards ‘marriage’ British law maintains a clear distinction between marriage in religious settings and civil marriage ceremonies. Many media reports suggested that the developments could lead to ‘homosexual marriage’. Currently, civil partnerships are not recognised as marriage.
   
• These radical changes to the basic building block of society will affect us all. They take us further into unchartered territory with disastrous effect for individuals, communities and society, as we reject the Creator God’s intention and instruction. Our society will bear the consequences of our rejection of God's word.
   
• Further recent developments have included encouragements to homosexual couples to adopt children, legal changes to allow homosexual couples to be named as parents and high profile surrogacy cases and undermine the notion that civil partnerships don’t affect those other than the couple in question – at the very least, children are affected.
   

(2) The removal of these protections will increase pressure on all Christian churches to accept homosexual unions 

• These developments will put pressure on Christian churches to be complicit in the redefinition of marriage.
   
• Change in legislation and policy such as this is often portrayed as empowering and liberating individuals by putting more options on the table. However, in a society, such moves have implications for all. The ‘removal of a restriction’ often goes hand in hand with the ‘imposition of an obligation’. As an example, we need look no further than the outworking of the Civil Partnership legislation. Following the passing of the Civil Partnership Act (2004), Christian civil registrars found that they were required to act against their Christian conscience or to lose their job. When tested in court, the law was found not to offer protection.
   
• There is every reason to believe that if same-sex legal unions are allowed in religious settings, all churches will come under increasing pressure to offer them, despite their Biblical convictions.
   
• It is hard to see how the proposals could remain ‘optional’. If permitted in principle, challenges are likely to be made on the basis of Equalities legislation and the provision of goods and services (compare the parallels with recent cases involving Christian Bed and Breakfast operators).
   
• Some of those pressing for the changes have already adopted a very litigious approach to help further their ‘rights’ – including approaches to the European Court of Human Rights (see here, although note this case). It is likely that this avenue would also be pursued in this area, given the ideological objectives of some involved.
   
• Removal of government protections would therefore likely lead to increased pressure on churches. Indeed, it is possible that legislators could pursue a strategy of first appearing to relax restrictions and then subsequently imposing obligations once a precedent has been set by some churches or religious establishments on the basis that these instances demonstrate that a biblical view of marriage is not ‘inherent’ to Christian faith.
   

(3) There is an ideological 'big picture' behind changes such as these

• These developments need to be recognised as part of a wider agenda, initially pursued by a small but vocal lobby. Describing that lobby’s agenda since the 1970s, Peter Tatchell, a homosexual rights activist, has written “We were sexual liberationists and social revolutionaries, out to turn the world upside down … Although against homophobic discrimination, [our] main aim was never equality within the status quo … Our idealistic vision involved creating a new sexual democracy, without homophobia, misogyny, racism and class privilege. Erotic shame and guilt would be banished.” This agenda appears to have been taken up and championed by some in government and incremental steps such as that expected to be announced imminently are part of this journey.
   
• The source of pressure for these changes is not always made clear. The number of civil partnerships has fallen every (full) year since their introduction. Thus demand seems to be declining not growing suggesting that the spur for further liberalisation is ideological. 
   
• Arguments proposed in these debates can be characterised by misinformation. For example, during the passage of the Civil Partnerships Act, the government suggested that between five and seven per cent of the population identifies as homosexual (figures suggested by Stonewall). However, a survey by the government’s own statistics body last year found that only 1.5% of the population identified themselves as homosexual or bisexual (read more here). In fact, given the cost of the changes, even Stonewall recently questioned the appropriateness of pursuing homosexual marriage (read more here), much to the frustration of others in the homosexual lobby.
   

What does God say?

• The Bible is clear in its proclamation that marriage should be understood as the exclusive, life-long union between one man and one woman. Such marriage is the proper place for sexual expression and the raising of children. As such, it is the basic building block for a stable and prosperous society.
   
• Various passages make clear God’s opposition to homosexual activity. Homosexual activity is not a modern innovation or development. It was known in the time that the Bible was written and opposed.
   
• Moreover, the whole thrust of the Bible upholds the significance of marriage as outlined above. From the earliest to the final chapters, such an understanding of marriage is central to grasping God’s pattern and plan for humanity, not least because marriage acts as a visual aid for God’s relationship with His people. Hence the emphasis that the Bible places on the need for marriage to be promoted, protected and honoured.
   
• Jesus Christ was no stranger to challenging social norms, expectations and taboos that He encountered. However, He went out of His way to underline that marriage was to be understood in the manner outlined above (see, for example, Matthew 19). To suggest that He was wrong to do so implies that He was either ignorant or cruel and is a challenge to His identity as the Son of God.
   
• God’s purpose in so defining marriage is not cruel but compassionate. He seeks the flourishing of humanity. To speak up clearly and graciously for marriage is not oppressive but liberating and kind.
   
• Christian churches need to be leading in the way in speaking with clarity and compassion as to the nature of marriage according to God’s intention and instruction; in underlining the fact that all of us fall short of God’s standards and can receive salvation in Jesus Christ; in helping those facing same-sex attraction to fight such an impulse with God’s wisdom and strength.
   

What can be done?

• Please email or visit your MP as soon as possible to express your concern over media reports about the government’s plans. If you are unable to visit or email, please write a letter.
   
• Please also email government ministers with particular responsibility for these matters – Lynne Featherstone MP (Lib Dem – Equalities Minister) and Rt Hon Theresa May MP (Conservative – Home Secretary and Minister for Women and Equality).
   
• Acknowledge that the Governement's announcement on these issues concern you. Ask for further information as it becomes available - and please let us know if you receive one. Please raise some of the issues outlined above, in your own words. You do not need to mention all the points - a polite, concise message requesting clarification may well be best at this point.
   
• For guidance as to how to contact your MP, please click here. For contact information about your MP, please use our ‘know your MP’ facility here.
   
• Further action will be needed once the proposals are published and the consultation begins but it would be valuable to alert MPs immediately.
   
• Please pray.