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Press Release 9/11/11   Response of the Church and Society Committee to the Scottish Government’s Consultation on the Registration of Civil Partnerships Same Sex Marriage. CHURCH RESPONDS TO CONSULTATION News Release As the Church and Society Committee of the United Free Church of Scotland we would express our concern over the proposed legislation and its effects on Marriage in Scotland and our religious freedom. We believe the proposed legislation would change marriage irretrievably. Marriage has been universally embraced by societies and cultures from the beginning of the human race as the union between a man and a woman which has proved to be beneficial both to the individuals in the union and to society as a whole. The United Nations Declaration of Human Rights has affirmed that marriage is between a man and a woman. The Scottish Government’s proposals would fundamentally change our understanding of marriage in our Scottish society as an institution with defined functions and social purposes to merely being an individual’s right or entitlement. Once this precedent was established, marriage would then be subject to reappraisal, review and further change as minority groups seek “equality” for their own views and positions. The United Free Church of Scotland has consistently opposed persecution or discrimination against any religious or secular group. We strongly disapprove and condemn unfair treatment or violence directed against anyone on account of their sexual orientation. Accordingly we accept the right of same sex couples to enter into partnerships recognised by the state. However the extension of that right to include marriage imposes changes on the rest of society. The Committee does not regard same sex marriage as an equality issue as the existing Civil Partnership legislation bestows on same sex couples all the existing rights extended to married couples. The consultation document confuses the significant differences between solemnisation and registration practiced in Scotland with the system in England and Wales. Any suggestion that celebrants will be required to solemnise or offer the use of Church facilities for the solemnising of same sex marriages or risk falling foul of equality legislation would be regarded as an attack on our religious liberty. At present no celebrant is required to solemnise any marriage but acts according to his or her conscience. The Committee considers that this legislation which will redefine marriage is a reckless and dangerous social experiment that may have untold repercussions on our society and family life. We do not accept that the Government has the right to redefine such an important institution in society as marriage. The Committee along with other mainstream Churches in Scotland call on the Scottish Government to depart from the proposals in its Consultation document on the Registration of Civil Partnership and Same Sex Marriage. Note: For further information please contact Rev John Fulton (General Secretary). Tel: 0141 332 3435; Email: office@ufcos.org.uk

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