Revising marriage will harm children and undermine religious freedom

Changes to federal marriage laws to accommodate same sex marriage would be detrimental to the wellbeing of children and threaten religious freedom, Public Affairs Director of the NSW Council of Churches, Reverend Rod Benson, said this month.

All faith communities respect the deep link between marriage and children, and the state recognises and protects this relationship.The NSW Council of Churches strongly supports marriage and welcomes a new resource which clarifies the Christian teaching on marriage and responds to critics.

The resource, Revising Marriage? Why Marriage is the Union of a Man and a Woman, was developed by Christian leaders from various churches who were concerned that many Australians were unaware of the implications of proposed changes to the Marriage Act, or viewed support for marriage as an unwinnable battle.

There are important reasons why the state should continue to define marriage as between a man and a woman. Procreation is intrinsic to marriage. Marriage as currently defined in Australian law offers the best environment for the raising and nurture of children.

Same sex marriage advocates focus on the emotional needs of adults, whereas marriage is primarily about the welfare of children. It is difficult to see why the law should take any interest in same sex relationships beyond regulating relevant property concerns.

If same sex marriage becomes law, schools and faith-based organisations will be expected to provide relationship programs and resources in keeping with marriage as described under the law. This will be untenable to many Christians and other people of faith on the grounds of freedom of conscience and freedom of religion.

Same sex couples already have equal justice in respect of entitlements available to married couples. Claims that the current marriage laws are unjust are spurious. Marriage is the union of a man and a woman.

Pray with us that all those who labour and are heavy laden might find the true rest and freedom that we experience in Jesus Christ our Lord.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HAS SIX REPRESENTATIVES ON THE NSW COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

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