Religious leaders seek more debate over same-sex marriage
4:00pm Thursday 7th February 2013 in Latest News By Craig Jones
Ruth Worsley, Archdeacon of Wiltshire
Religious leaders in Wiltshire plan to consult their congregations after MPs’ decision to approve same-sex marriage in a House of Commons vote on Tuesday.
During the landmark debate, 400 MPs voted in favour of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill, with 175 opposing it.
The Bill has passed through the second reading stage in the Commons and is now set for further parliamentary scrutiny. It will need to be accepted by the House of Lords and given royal assent before it is can become law.
Archdeacon of Wiltshire, the Venerable Ruth Worsley, said: “While many in the Church of England will have welcomed the passing of the gay marriage vote in the House of Commons, the Church as a whole is unable to support the measure at this time.
“However, I wish to emphasise that everyone, no matter what their sexual orientation, is welcome in our churches.”
The Rev David Ellis, of the United Church, in Trowbridge, said he expected churches of different faiths to respond to the vote in different ways.
He said: “The debate was done in a careful way and what the church needs to do now is reflect on what has been said and respond to that after a debate has taken place.
“We all need to know what our congregations have to say and approach this subject very sensitively and respectfully.
“I think it will be interesting to see what the different leaderships bring to the debate.”
MP Andrew Murrison received correspondence for and against the Bill from constituents, voting in favour of it after considering the arguments on both sides.
He said: “We have had civil partnership for same sex couples for nearly a decade and same sex marriage is, for all practical purposes, the same thing.
“Consequently, examining the Bill, I was unable to find any credible objection in what seemed to me to be the largely semantic changes proposed.”
The Rev Dr Rob Thomas, of St James Church, Trowbridge, said: “I would support the Church of England’s position on this.
“The matter has been brought forward without discussion and raises serious theological issues which it would have good to debate.
“The change the Government is proposing is going to have a profound effect on the institution of marriage.”
Chippenham Constituency MP Duncan Hames said: “I took part in Parliament’s first debate on the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill listening to thoughtful and at times moving speeches.
"My own small contribution was to ask the Minister about those marriage registrars who felt unable to preside at same sex marriages who may fear for their jobs. I decided to support the Bill.”
Comments(20)
xgaygreg
says...
9:40pm Thu 7 Feb 13
Mrs Donnyfly
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7:57am Fri 8 Feb 13
Grumpyoldgit99
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10:21am Fri 8 Feb 13
xgaygreg wrote:Hmm. Definitely not a planted letter then!
I used to be gay, but over SEVEN years ago Jesus set me FREE! I am now free from the sin of homosexuality. Marriage is between 1 man and 1 woman according to the King James Bible (Genesis 2:24) so I am now married and my wife is pregnant by me. What's really cool is that now my life is not focused on "ME" I actually think about other's. More to the point, it's not about "ME" at all it's ALL about JESUS CHRIST! Jesus is Lord!!
trowboy
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1:10pm Fri 8 Feb 13
Is it not even more ironic that the church of England should question others when they want to amend the sacred institution of marriage... who was it that founded them again and how many wifes did he have!
It does make me chuckle...
Grumpyoldgit99
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2:14pm Fri 8 Feb 13
toryexitpole
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10:09pm Fri 8 Feb 13
Mrs Donnyfly
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2:24am Sat 9 Feb 13
Church welcomes paedophiles.
redrum
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12:56pm Sat 9 Feb 13
old 'arry
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1:29pm Sat 9 Feb 13
Mrs Donnyfly wrote:Were??? WERE?? They still are with many people. The very thought of the disgusting physical act which male gays perform totally puts me off my lunch.
Odd that religious leaders never consulted with their congregations on homosexuality in the days when homosexuals were persona non grata.
melkshamwizard
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4:06pm Sat 9 Feb 13
Mrs Donnyfly
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4:58pm Sat 9 Feb 13
old 'arry wrote:Why should you be thinking of homosexual activity whilst eating your lunch...?
Mrs Donnyfly wrote:Were??? WERE?? They still are with many people. The very thought of the disgusting physical act which male gays perform totally puts me off my lunch.
Odd that religious leaders never consulted with their congregations on homosexuality in the days when homosexuals were persona non grata.
Grumpyoldgit99
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5:08pm Sat 9 Feb 13
melkshamwizard wrote:You are about 45 years out of date!
a report out last week said aids among gay men is not falling,i always thought that that act was called buggery and against the law
Mrs Donnyfly
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5:11pm Sat 9 Feb 13
melkshamwizard wrote:Would that be a report commissioned by a religious anti-gay group? The World Health Organisation - who I assume knows about these things - has declared that Aids is in decline.
a report out last week said aids among gay men is not falling,i always thought that that act was called buggery and against the law
As for your thoughts on buggery, I think you'll find that buggery and homosexuality are not exactly the same, and is legal.
beetawix
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9:55pm Sun 10 Feb 13
why's that rev?
Grumpyoldgit99
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10:51pm Sun 10 Feb 13
old 'arry
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5:50am Mon 11 Feb 13
Mrs Donnyfly wrote:I'm buggered if I can remember now.........OOPS!
old 'arry wrote:Why should you be thinking of homosexual activity whilst eating your lunch...?
Mrs Donnyfly wrote:Were??? WERE?? They still are with many people. The very thought of the disgusting physical act which male gays perform totally puts me off my lunch.
Odd that religious leaders never consulted with their congregations on homosexuality in the days when homosexuals were persona non grata.
old 'arry
says...
5:52am Mon 11 Feb 13
Mrs Donnyfly wrote:I'm buggered if I can remember now.......OOOPS!
old 'arry wrote:Why should you be thinking of homosexual activity whilst eating your lunch...?
Mrs Donnyfly wrote:Were??? WERE?? They still are with many people. The very thought of the disgusting physical act which male gays perform totally puts me off my lunch.
Odd that religious leaders never consulted with their congregations on homosexuality in the days when homosexuals were persona non grata.
moocherx
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10:33am Wed 13 Feb 13
Mrs Donnyfly wrote:That's the problem with a Gregg's jumbo sausage roll.
old 'arry wrote:Why should you be thinking of homosexual activity whilst eating your lunch...?
Mrs Donnyfly wrote:Were??? WERE?? They still are with many people. The very thought of the disgusting physical act which male gays perform totally puts me off my lunch.
Odd that religious leaders never consulted with their congregations on homosexuality in the days when homosexuals were persona non grata.
Grumpyoldgit99
says...
1:59pm Wed 13 Feb 13
old 'arry wrote:Yes. I'm not very keen on disco and watching musicals either.
Mrs Donnyfly wrote:Were??? WERE?? They still are with many people. The very thought of the disgusting physical act which male gays perform totally puts me off my lunch.
Odd that religious leaders never consulted with their congregations on homosexuality in the days when homosexuals were persona non grata.
goateatingtroll says...
6:02pm Thu 7 Feb 13