Category: marriage


Strong support for marriage petition

Filed under: marriage, politics, same-sex marriage — Leave a comment
December 2, 2011

Even I was astonished to hear that, in just six weeks, the Australian Marriage Forum petition, urging the Labor Party to keep its election promise not to introduce same sex marriage, has attracted more than 100,000 signatures.

The marriage petition, organised by the Australian Christian Lobby and the Australian Family Association, gives a sense of the strength of feeling in the community about the importance of retaining the current definition of marriage.

Australian Workers Union national secretary Paul Howes said on Wednesday “There is no consensus in the community on this issue.” 

Well, I think he’s wrong – there’s a large groundswell of ordinary Australians out there who feel strongly about this, and don’t want politicians and activists fiddling with our most basic social institutions.

It’s time we all put this peripheral issue behind us, and got on with the serious business of debating and tackling the issues that really matter in this great country of ours – like jobs, productivity, asylum and gambling reform.

Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 4 December 2011.

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Marriage serves the common good

Filed under: common good, marriage, same-sex marriage — Leave a comment
December 2, 2011

With the Queensland Parliament passing its same-sex civil unions bill on Wednesday, and the ALP national conference making its decision on same sex marriage this weekend, it’s worth stepping back and considering just what’s at stake in terms of Christian opposition to proposed changes to marriage laws.

No religious tradition can claim ownership of the institution of marriage. It’s neither Christian nor pagan.  What we have in Australian federal law today is a definition of marriage that accurately represents the foundational beliefs and values inherent in the biblical teaching on Christian marriage, as well as thousands of years of cultural wisdom from a wide range of communities.

Marriage thus defined serves the common good, and provides a proper foundation for security and stability in national social and economic life.  This is why an overwhelming majority of churches supports the current definition of marriage in Australian law, and opposes the reform proposed by The Australian Greens. 

Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 4 December 2011.

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Marriage rally in Sydney Dec 3

Filed under: marriage, same-sex marriage — Leave a comment
November 25, 2011

Independent MP Bob Katter addresses a similar marriage rally in Canberra in August 2011.

We’re hearing it a lot these days: “equal love,” “marriage equality.”  But cut through the spin and rhetoric, and you’ll find that opposition to same sex marriage is not about defending the prejudices of bigots and homophobes, but about promoting the profound benefits that marriage delivers to society.

Our greatest national resource is our families, and the strength of those families depends to a large extent on the qualities of the relationships between married couples responsible for bearing and raising children.  Changing the law to recognise same sex marriage is precisely the wrong way to go in building a stronger and more stable society. 

The National Marriage Coalition supports the current definition of marriage, and sees the need for a massive increase in government spending to support and strengthen Australian marriages.  The National Marriage Coalition will hold a public meeting in support of marriage on Saturday December 3 in Martin Place, Sydney, starting at 10am.  Turn up with your family to show your support for marriage!

Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 27 November 2011.

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Marriage petition passes 80,000

Filed under: marriage, politics and faith, same-sex marriage — Leave a comment
November 25, 2011

Next weekend the ALP National Conference is expected to decide on whether to change its policy and formally support same-sex marriage. 

There is a great deal of concern among people of faith, and more broadly in the Australian community, at the prospect of one of the bedrock institutions of our society being transformed by a change in the law, to appease a small number of people who won’t be satisfied until the last vestige of traditional morality has been swept away.

The good news is that support for marriage is growing stronger.  More than 80,000 people have signed the marriage petition at http://australianmarriage.org.au, and that number is expected to pass 100,000 in the next week.

There are profound cultural and heritage reasons why marriage should not be extended to include same-sex couples.  The justice issues have already been addressed. 

A vote for same sex marriage will change the meaning of marriage in Australian society, and spell political suicide for dozens of Labor politicians.

Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 27 November 2011.

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Gay marriage and the ALP

Filed under: marriage, politics and faith, same-sex marriage — Leave a comment
November 11, 2011

In just three weeks from now, the Australian Labor Party could become the first mainstream political party in this country to drop its support for marriage being exclusively between a man and a woman.

The battle for marriage has moved to the December 2 ALP National Conference in Sydney, and if you don’t want the definition of marriage to be expanded to include same sex couples, it’s vital that your voice is heard by delegates to the conference.

How can you do this?  By signing a new online petition.  An earlier petition to the Senate supporting protection of marriage attracted more than 52,000 signatures, but there’s a need for a fresh one aimed at ALP conference delegates.  There are many in the Labor Party working hard to preserve marriage.  They need your support.

To sign the petition, go to http://www.australianmarriage.org.au/petition and follow the prompts.  It’s that easy.  Or you can find the link on the front page of the NSW Churches website.

Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 13 November 2011.

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