Guy Brandon Posted: 20 February 2012
Keywords: Sex & Families,
The Coalition for Marriage launched today, with the website www.c4m.org.uk going live at 10am.
The purpose of the campaign is to defend the traditional definition of marriage as between one man and one woman. The government will shortly be launching a consultation on redefining marriage, a move which former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey has said 'constitutes one of the greatest political power grabs in history'.
From c4m.org.uk/about:
The Coalition for Marriage is an umbrella group of individuals and organisations in the UK that support traditional marriage and oppose any plans to redefine it.
The Coalition is backed by politicians, lawyers, academics and religious leaders. It reaches out to people of all faiths and none who believe that marriage is the most successful partnership in history and should not be redefined.
The Coalition draws upon a substantial body of evidence showing that marriage - as it has been understood for thousands of years - is beneficial to society, and that changing its definition would undermine that benefit.
The Coalition's petition demonstrates that there is broad public opposition to redefining marriage. The Coalition is committed to a reasoned and courteous debate on this issue, and will highlight any intimidation or intolerance shown to supporters of traditional marriage.
Reasons to support the campaign
The 'equal marriage' bill will seek to redefine marriage, against the will of the majority of the British people. Civil partnerships are already available to same-sex couples, and provide all the same legal rights as marriage. Last year the government refused to extend civil partnerships to heterosexual couples. There will also be widespread legal consequences to any redefinition: the word 'marriage' appears some 3,258 times in UK legislation, meaning potentially enormous and complex changes.
The grassroots campaign is expected to gain momentum quickly. In the first hour after its launch, the petition had already attracted 350 signatories.
Please consider signing the online petition. You can find out more about the campaign on the C4M website.
Read more
The most recent Friday Five looks at the benefits of traditional marriage to society as a whole. Friday Five is a weekly comment on the news from a relational perspective, produced by Jubilee Centre in association with Relationships Global.
I think we need to keep a sense of perspective on this issue. Marriage is not going to be redefined. This is simply because God (presumably) isn't planning to change his definition of marriage, whatever the state does - and marriage is "those whom God has joined together" not "those whom the state has joined together".
I'm not in favour of the state changing its definition of marriage. But, as long as God is keeping his definition, even if the state does adopt a wrong definition, I don't expect the consequences will be catastrophic. God will continue to join people together, and therefore marriage - in its current form - will continue to exist.
Anthony Smith 20 February 2012
Marriage is between one woman and one man. a safe place were children grow knowing the love and care of both genders.
Over the years and still today the experts say that children who grow up in the traditional family of one father and one mother make far better adults and therefore citizens.
It seems that there is a move to further devalue the family unit and in time the British culture and it's stability.
JOHN B. 20 February 2012
marriage is a commitment between a man and a woman with gods approval, it is going against gods law and an insult to normal god loving humans to go against gods wishes . it is also better for children to be brought up in a proper family enviroment of love and discipline . they grow up to be better citizens .
edward boorman 20 February 2012
I fully agree with the comments from Mr John B.that Marriage is between a MAN and a WOMAN male and female Genesis Ch 1 v 27-28 and Genesis Ch 2 v 24.
Sad to say man in his arrogance seems to think he knows better than Almighty God regarding marriage. One thing I do know is that God is NOT going to change His mind and He will only Bless a marriage between a man and a woman.
Mike & Di T. 20 February 2012
I don't mind what couples of the same sex call their union. I do mind if the State calls it a marriage and forces the various authorities and churches to call it a marriage and to treat it as such.
John Pope 20 February 2012
I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO SIGN THE PETITION FOR C4M BUT CANNOT GET ONTO THE PETITION SITE AND THERE SEEMS TO BE NO OTHER METHOD TO SIGN OR TO REGISTER MY SUPPORT. THERE MUST BE THOUSANDS MORE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM - IT WOULD BE SAD TO LOSE ALL THOSE VOTES!!
DUDLEY ELLS
DUDLEY ELLS 21 February 2012
The site seems to be running ok at the moment - keep trying. Perhaps there was just heavy traffic at the time. 15,000 people signed the petition on the first day.
Guy 22 February 2012
The truth about the coalition for marriage:
http://mediafrenzyuk.blogspot.com/2012/02/truth-about-coalition-for-marriage.html
Stu 29 February 2012
Marriage can only be between a man and woman. NOT for any partnership between homosexuals of either sex.
Dererk Creesey 15 March 2012