Since Creation, marriage has been between one man and one woman. The present UK Government intends to alter that - without asking the electorate's opinion.Homosexuals already have civil partnerships, which give them all the legal benefits of marriage. The Government now intends to alter the definition of marriage, so that marriage will be open to couples of the same sex, as well as to a man and a woman.
Such a move was not a priority in the election manifesto of any political party. The Government is to launch a consultation next month - but not on if the change should take place - only how the change will work.
No 10 Downing Street insists that the change will be legalised, despite opposition. It says the Prime Minister is "resolute in his determination to end discrimination faced by homosexual couples" and "very passionate about this subject."
Christians have described the proposed change as an act of "cultural vandalism." They believe the majority of people in Britain do not want a change in marriage law. (A poll by Sky News showed 38 per cent in favour of the proposed change, with 62 per cent against. In a ComRes poll, 34 per cent supported the change, 51 per cent said that "no one has the right to redefine marriage for the rest of us," and 86 per cent agreed that it is "possible to be tolerant of the rights of others and protective of traditional marriage at the same time.")
A new organisation, Coalition for Marriage, launched a national petition to the Government this week. The petition 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."
Details of the coalition can be seen at the coalition's website, www.c4m.org.uk. The petition can be signed at the site, and petition forms can be obtained for further signatures. Each person can sign the petition only once, and persons signing must be 16 or over.
Coalition for Marriage is supported by CARE, Christian Concern, the Christian Institute, the Evangelical Alliance and the Family Education Trust. The Roman Catholic Church is reported to have pledged its support for the campaign. By today, the petition already had 39,810 signatures.
Some homosexual rights activists set up a copy website - in pink - with a petition supporting "the right of two people in love to get married, regardless of gender." By today, it had 5,247 signatures.
Most people seem to be of the opinion that same-sex marriage should not be foisted on Britain without a proper national debate. One more thing seems clear. Those who wish to preserve traditional marriage are going to need to stand up for what they believe.
