Gay marriage debate continues

#914 for broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 22 Jun 2014.

The debate on gay marriage has gone rather placid in recent months.

Or so I thought, until leading Tasmanian “marriage equality” campaigner, Rodney Croome, this week accused me of laying claim to a religious heritage of persecution, and resistance to that persecution, while at the same time discriminating against gay Australians by not allowing them full legal equality in marriage.

In response, I said:

Our formal difference lies with our respective understandings of the nature of marriage.  My understanding … draws on biblical teachings and long established Christian norms, which do not envisage marriage being extended to include same sex couples …

Having said that, I will not be distressed if the law changes to accommodate a wider view of marriage as this will help to clarify and emphasise our preferred or alternative way, against the state and the majority culture, in keeping with our radical faith tradition.  Bring it on.

I’m Rod Benson for the NSW Council of Churches.