Marriage brings a man and a woman together as husband and wife to become father and mother to any children their union produces. It is a biological fact that reproduction depends on a man and a woman. It is an anthropological truth that:
? men and women are different but complementary
? children need both a mother and a father.
What does the Marriage Act of 1961 say?
Australia has enshrined the meaning of Marriage when the Marriage Act was enacted in 1961. It states that: “Marriage means the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of others, voluntarily entered into for life.”
The future of marriage depends on every Australian’s understanding of what it is and why it matters. Every Australian must demand that government policies support and not undermine true marriage.
Marriage is not a right, it was not invented, marriage simply is.
And yet the same-sex marriage advocates are clamoring for a change!
What do same-sex marriage advocates really want?
They want to legally change the definition of marriage to include same-sex couples.
Same-sex marriage advocates are pushing for this when they already have the same rights and benefits as heterosexual couples. 85 laws were changed in 2008, which removed every piece of legal discrimination against gay men, lesbians and same sex couples.
The Catholic Church also strongly states that “…every human being, regardless of race, religion, age, sex or sexual orientation, deserves our reverence; that all forms of unjust discrimination must be oppressed.” Obviously, it is not just about equality they are after. There is more to it than you think!
What are the consequences of redefining Marriage?
Any proposed change will inevitably abandon the norm of male-female complementarity and the social reality that children need a father and a mother. Indeed, there is no such thing as generic parenting. The two sexes are different to the core and each is necessary for the optimal development of a human being. Redefining marriage does not simply expand the existing understanding of marriage.
Where is this change leading all of us to?
In a recent lecture by Archbishop Anthony Fisher on this issue, he stated that: “…same-sex marriage…is not the further evolution of marriage but rather a hallowing out — not liberation of that institution from the confines of religion and prejudice but rather a deconstruction of the institution of marriage and the family.”
What are some of the concerning things happening now?
These are a few of many indications of their desire to deconstruct the institution of marriage and the family:
Radical gender theory entering schools
Students at Newtown Performing Arts High School have dropped gender-typing and have been told that they can decide for themselves how they perceive their gender. Anyone can wear a skirt to school, and refer to themselves as either male or female. They have also been told that anyone identifying as a girl can use the female toilets.
One of the comments made recently stated that “This whole questioning of what it means to be male or female and the idea that gender doesn’t matter anymore, is radical gender theory, and it’s finding its way into our schools.”
Safe Schools Program
The Safe Schools Coalition have started Safe Schools Education Program, a taxpayer-funded program aimed at helping lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and/or intersex (LGBTI) school students. It offers resources and support to equip staff and students with skills, practical ideas and greater confidence to create a safe and inclusive environment for same-sex attracted, intersex and gender diverse students, staff and families.
The national program director for the Safe Schools Coalition, Sally Richardson, said almost 500 schools had opted into the program and more than 15,000 teachers accessed its tools. By Edwin Zambrano (to be continued next issue)