Gays vow respect in marriage debate

THE gay marriage movement has taken the unusual step of making a "pledge" to respect the views of people who oppose same-sex weddings on religious grounds in an attempt to blunt arguments by the Christian lobby and Catholic Church. 

Australian Marriage Equality has made a commitment to respect the religious beliefs of opponents of gay marriage.

In return it says it hopes for a commitment from opposing churches not to "inflame prejudice" during the same-sex marriage debate.

This commitment has been made as part of AME's latest publication on religion and marriage equality.

According to AME national convener Alex Greenwich, it is important that "both sides conduct themselves with maturity, respect, and commit to using truthful and factual arguments".

Mr Greenwich said he hoped both sides could start the debate by identifying common ground and shared values.

"Just like the Christian lobby, we believe in the importance of marriage, protecting families, and religious freedom . . . in fact, we see these as three keys reasons for marriage equality."

Australia's most senior Catholic cleric, Cardinal George Pell, has tentatively agreed to a meeting with gay marriage campaigners, provided they first declare that not all opposition to same-sex marriage is homophobic and discriminatory.

Cardinal Pell has written a letter in response to a request from gay marriage campaigners for a formal meeting to discuss the issues polarising the community.

AME wrote to the Catholic Archbishop of Sydney on December 20 to discuss its concerns about a campaign by the Australian Catholic Church against same-sex marriage.

AME's latest publication highlights the distinction in Australian law between civil and religious marriage, lists the religions that support marriage equality, and highlights the fact that two-thirds of Australian marriages are now conducted in civil ceremonies.

"Of course, there are churches who do not want to marry same-sex couples and under the proposed legislation this right will be fully protected; however, there are other churches and many civil celebrants who would perform same-sex weddings today if they had the choice."

The publication states that "just as we acknowledge that it is possible to oppose marriage equality without hating homosexuals, so we ask those who differ with us on this important issue to acknowledge that it is possible to support marriage equality without seeking to undermine, marriage, family or religion".

SOURCE