Church of Scotland says ‘No” to Same-Sex Marriage, Denmark Churches embrace it

The Church of Scotland has responded to the government's question as to whether or not it should allow same-sex marriage in that country. The answer is a resounding “NO.” In a statement on its website, the Church wrote: “The Church of Scotland cannot agree that the law in Scotland should be changed to allow same-sex marriage.The Government’s proposal fundamentally changes marriage as it is understood in our country and our culture – that it is a relationship between one man and one woman”. While the church's statement categorically condemns “homophobia” which it regards as a sin it nevertheless affirms that the historic position of the Christian Church, which the Church of Scotland unflinchingly endorses, is that marriage is between one man and one woman. “Scriptural references to marriage, whether literal or metaphorical, all operate under this understanding.” the Church declared.

The church did not fail to express its concerns over the great speed with which the government has been trying to make the proposed changes. In the opinion of the Church of Scotland, the debate over the issue thus far is “patchy, undeveloped and exclusive of both ordinary people and the religious community.” The church said it is concerned that the government is acting too quickly, for the sake of pleasing a few, to change an institution that is highly valued in society by religious and non-religious people.

Patrick Harvie, member of the Scottish Parliament for the Scottish Green party, strongly disagreed with the Church and averred that allowing same-sex marriage would actually strengthen marriage in the country.

The man would have been proud to have been a Dane. This is because Denmark, the first country to endorse civil union between homosexual partners in 1989 is now set to be the first to officially embrace gay wedding in its churches.

Beginning from February 2012, gay couples can now have full weddings in the Lutheran Church of Denmark. New church minister of the Church of Denmark, Manu Sareen, enthused: “I look forward to the moment the first homosexual couple steps out of the church.” Officially 80 percent of Danes belong to the Lutheran Church of Denmark, (but only 5% actually regularly attend).

In Denmark, a portion of tax dollars collected from Danish citizens is allocated to churches and religious groups. About $1.1 million is allocated annually to churches and religious organizations. http://www.christianpost.com/news/gay-marriage-ok-in-denmark-churches-62818/