Gay Couple To Sue Church Over Gay Marriage Opt-Out

[mushroom25]

http://www.christian.org.uk/news/gay-couple-to-sue-church-over-gay-marriage-opt-out/

Mr Cameron promised religious organisations a "quadruple lock" to ensure they would not be compelled to act contrary to their faith's doctrine (or in the case of the CofE, contrary to Canon Law).

Several contributors on AB argued it would never happen: after all, who'd want to be married by an organisation that doesn't want you?

Yet here comes the first legal challenge, before the ink is even dry on the legislation.

What's the chances of this succeeding and turning Mr Cameron's promises to the church into so much dust?

[naomi24]

//I said it would end in tears.//

I’ve long suspected that ‘human rights’ and ‘political correctness’ would eventually have the law-makers climbing up their own bottoms and meeting themselves coming back.

[emmie]

why is this a surprise,

[naomi24]

It's not surprising that someone is doing it .... but it certainly presents a massive dilemma.

[emmie]

it does, and i am sure that it's one that won't be solved any day soon.

[naomi24]

I don't see how it can be solved at all - at least not to everyone's satisfaction.

[emmie]

this is the problem, if a church, synagogue, mosque don't wish to do it out of their religious belief, then why should they be made to. They can legislate all they like, and the couple can sue, all that will result is a lengthy, costly court case, and they won't necessarily win.

[Brenden]

The old adage of "give them an inch and they will take a yard" comes to mind - they certainly are not doing themselves any favour, or the gay community in general.

[jim360]

This story finally reached some more high-profile outlets -- I saw it in the Daily Mail. Apparently the couple in question are Christians themselves. It seems to me that the two men are attempting to impose their own interpretation of Christianity on others, by legal force. That's never been pretty when it's been done in the past, I don't expect much to be different this time either. One way or another, the outcome will be very important.

[emmie]

haven't we seen this in other avenues, a few want to impose their way on others, they have the legislation now, but why did they think some in the church would be compliant.

[anotheoldgit]

/// All this lawsuit will do is give more ammunition to the nay-sayers and the bigots ///

Why does anyone have to be labelled a bigot just because they disagree with certain legislation?

[jackthehat]

///Why does anyone have to be labelled a bigot just because they disagree with certain legislation? ///

I was careful to draw a distinction between the naysayers and the bigots.
Naysayers - people who have a genuine, if misguided (IMO) reason for being agin;
Bigots - people who are bigotted.
I hope that clears it up for you, AOG?

[Brenden]

Surely JTH if a person has a genuine strong religious view under your explanation that will label them a bigot.

[jackthehat]

No, Brendan.....that would make them naysayers.......'genuine but misguided' as explained already.

[sir.prize]

Thanks for the quotation baldric.

"'If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable . . .''

The word detestable says it all.

[anotheoldgit]

jackthehat

Yes thanks for that, just a personal opinion then?

[Ann]

My personal view as a Christian is that this case (if it is to be believed) is a very sad state of affairs. I feel the couple are only doing this to be controversial and take delight in others (ministers, vicars etc) being FORCED to go against their own moral standards and convictions. There are a few churches I'm sure who do not hold such strict views, why can't they just choose one who agrees with them.

[Brenden]

So that makes the couple the bigots Ann.

[Ann]

I don't understand this term "bigots" - what does it actually mean? Surely people are entitled to their own opinions in all kind of matters in life - politics, religion, sexuality etc?

[jackthehat]

The Drewitt-Barlows are committed Christians themselves and are bringing their children up 'in the Church'.
I believe that they are genuine in their desire to be married in Church, although, personally, I find it baffling......

[Ann]

You always speak a lot of sense JTH and don't seem to force your views on anyone.
If they are committed Christians and already attend a Church, why not quietly get married in their own church, as it obviously has no problem with their beliefs.