Church of Scotland to 'follow the will of god'

The Church of Scotland has officially announced it will oppose the introduction of gay marriage to the country.

The Church has released a statement in which it confirmed it would oppose SNP proposals to introduce gay marriage to Scotland. The Scottish assembly is currently holding a public consultation on the legalising of same-sex marriages. The Catholic Church in Scotland is vehemently opposed to the proposals and has been openly hostile – something drawing much criticism. While the Church of Scotland has now outlined its opposition it has been far more measured in its criticism and opposition – so far – than its Catholic Counterpart.

In a statement the Church said ‘The Government’s proposal fundamentally changes marriage as it is understood in our country and our culture – that it is a relationship between one man and one woman.’ and that extending marriage rights to gay couples  could have ‘significant and, as yet, inadequately considered repercussions for our country, for the well-being of families, communities and individuals’. It argues that a ‘much more measured consideration is required’ before the ‘understanding of marriage is surrendered’. The Church’s statement also said it had a ‘responsibility to shape public opinion in accordance with what it understands to be the will of God.’

However, the Church also said in its statement that it believed homophobia to be a sin and that it was the duty of the church to ‘reach out to and minister to all, regardless of sexual orientation and practice’ and it had a ‘strong pastoral commitment to all people in Scotland, regardless of sexual orientation or beliefs’. The statement concludes by saying  it ‘cannot agree to the Government’s proposal that legislation should be changed so that civil partnerships may be registered through religious ceremonies or by religious celebrants or on religious premises.  However, it acknowledges and respects that other religious groups may wish to express different views.”

Indeed while the Catholic Church and now the Church of Scotland oppose gay marriage a number of other faith groups have come out in support of the proposals. A coalition of faith groups recently called on the SNP to legalise same-sex marriages with Quakers, Unitarians, Liberal Jews, the Pagan Federation and the Metropolitan Church amongst them. The Quaker movement has supported gay rights, and called for gay marriage, for a number of years now.

(Via Pink News)