Same-Sex Marriage Debate in Scotland

I didn't see any thread for this so I thought I'd create one. There's a major debate going on in Scotland at the moment about same-sex marriage. Recently a survey was conducted which showed that 60% of Scots felt that same-sex couples should have the right to marry, as opposed to 19% who disagreed. The rest didn't know. The Scottish government appear to support this move, and are holding a public consultation on the subject. It is widely expected that they'll give the go ahead, however they stress that no religion will be forced into conducting such ceremonies if they don't want to.

BBC News - Scottish government launches gay marriage consultation

In the last few days however there's been a furious response from the Catholic Church

BBC News - Catholic Church in anti-gay marriage stance

Personally, as a gay Catholic, this saddens me although I'm not surprised. The language is particularly brutal, and I cannot accept that. I've been putting up with this homophobia for years but I don't think I can anymore, and I'm sure many other Catholics, gay and straight, feel the same. I won't be going back to church anymore, I am that sickened with it. Despite being assured that they will not be forced into conducting these ceremonies (EVERYONE involved, including gay groups, agrees that no religion should be forced into it, only churches and religions that want to) they seem deteremined to destroy the bill. (Their arrogance in assuming a monopoly on faith also annoys me). I doubt they'll succeed though, I have faith in the Scottish government and our people and I'm confident that this will pass into law in the next couple of years

 

Ha, I forgot that was my username. I don't think I shall ever marry but I'd like to have the right to, and I certainly want my fellow homosexuals/bisexuals to be able to marry if they want to

Firstly, Protestants are awesome I know there's always been this petty protestant/catholic thing going on in Scotland for years but I've always viewed that as really pathetic. I have Protestant friends, I have atheist friends etc. None of that bothers me, people can believe what they wish.

I can't see me going to any other church however, mainly because faith (or sometimes, lack of) has always been personal to me, and even though I've continued to go to Mass and such, its usually to provide time for me to reflect on my own thoughts about things, rather than participate in it. It doesn't really do much for me really, except maybe listening to the Gospel. In that sense I've not abandoned Christianity because I'm still influenced heavily by the teachings of Jesus (not the Church), but I don't see the point in being a part of a Church where I disagree with many of its views, but also has made me feel increasingly unwelcome. I feel more like I've been abandoned by the Church rather than anything else.

Also, I'm sure your Catholic friend would more than likely have been cool with you being Protestant. I've always found Catholics to be - on the whole - quite warm and tolerant, most Catholics I know disagree with the Church on a lot of things, and don't take things as seriously as the Church seems to

But yeah, back on topic, it is great news that it looks as if gay marriage will come to Scotland soon, I'm sure it'll happen in the rest of the UK soon as well. Slowly but surely equality is coming.

---------- Post added 13th Sep 2011 at 03:03 PM ----------

Thank you. I think thats the problem with the Catholic Church though, your average Catholic, or even priest, is powerless to change anything. The hierarchical structure (ie dictatorship) ensures that its difficult to change anything. It would take a radical Pope to come along to change anything I suspect. I wouldn't hold my breath :lol: