Homesexuality and Marriage

I have no strong feelings about whether the law should be changed to allow civil marriages between homosexuals. There is already the possibility of a civil partnership which is akin to marriage. I got married in a registry office because I believe that the church, or another other religion, should not be allowed to influence what constitutes a legal marriage. If the UK parliament is allowed a free vote on the matter, then I am confident that members will make the decision, whether the law should be changed or not, based on some sort of evidence. Church leaders seem to be incapable of weighing up any moral or intellectual dilemma based on evidence so their judgement cannot be trusted.

One prominent cardinal of the Roman Catholic church claimed that "gay" marriage would lead to some sort of moral dissolution and that "gay" marriage was against natural law. Where is the evidence that marriage is in any way governed by natural laws?  There is no evidence.

Where is the evidence that homosexuality harms our society? There is no evidence. So, why is the church so opposed to  homosexuals having the same rights as anyone else? I have the feeling that the church's opposition to homosexuality is based on blind and irrational prejudice.


Religious leaders are of course entitled to express their opinion, but if ever they were allowed to influence secular law making on the basis of their prejudice or irrational thoughts then all of us would be heading for trouble. The sort of intolerance that they are displaying disqualifies them from interfering in law making. I would hate to think what would happen if the church were to be given real power once again. Would it mean that Jews, Muslims, Hindus, agnostics, atheists or homosexuals would be prevented from expressing their opinion or be disqualified from public office or worse?

My views are not an attack on religion or the beliefs of anyone. I agree that the church should be free not to marry homosexuals,  if they so chose. But in exchange for this the church should accept that we live in a secular society and should not try to interfere with the decisions of a democratically elected parliament which represents society in general.

A liberal, democratic and secular society is the best way of ensuring the freedom of everyone to practise their religion, no matter which one. It is also the best way of protecting the rights of those that do not adhere to the proscriptions of the religious. Above all, it is the best way of protecting our human rights and combating persecution.