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Opposition to same-sex marriage          24/12/12

The Free Church Continuing has condemned plans by the Scottish and UK Governments to legalise gay marriage.

A church spokesman said the consultations have “unjustly” disregard the opinion of those opposed to same-sex marriage and gives the impression that “government is not really interested in what people think, having made up its mind already.

“ Such an attitude can only create public resentment and disenchantment with the political process, which is unhealthy in a democracy.”

The church said: “In the end it is the Bible – not a popular or parliamentary vote – that decides what is right and what is wrong in moral matters. According to the Bible same-sex ‘marriage’ is a perversion of the divine order and therefore wrong.”

“The false tolerance which is shown towards homosexuality is not confined to government but is sadly found within the church. This fact is highlighted by the situation in the Church of Scotland which for some years has been wrestling with the question of whether to ordain persons in same-sex relationships.

“To us it is astounding that a Christian church should need to spend any time on this matter when the teaching of Scripture is so clear.”

He added: “The legislation proposed for Scotland will permit churches to opt in to conducting same-sex marriages. The legislation proposed for England and Wales will do the same, with the exception that the Church of England and the Church in Wales will be banned from offering same-sex marriages.

“Yet no form of ceremony or degree of commitment can create a marriage if the union which results is one which God forbids in His Word. Same-sex marriage is a sham and a delusion and an affront to a holy God: it is shameful that any government would seek to introduce it.

“We call upon church and state to return to the Scriptures as the supreme authority in all matters of belief and behaviour.”