No, no, not just because the 'Memsahib' would cripple me for life, and anyway, I was talking metaphorically. I cannot support all this agitation - and 'agitation' is exactly what it is - from a miniscule portion of the population bent - no pun intended - on changing 2,000 years of Christian sacrements. After all, I am a conservative - with the smallest 'c' you have ever seen - Oi! I do the jokes round here! - and on the whole, outside of 'swottery', I am predisposed in favour of things remaining pretty much the way they always have been, and if they have been that way for about 2,000 years then that settles it! Of course, if the churches take a decision, properly under their own regulations, to change then so be it. But it is not the business of government to stomp its clumsy way into the minefield between a man and his god.
I was (and still am) for many years a supporter of the idea that homosexuals (God, how I hate that word 'gay'!) should be provided with the means to conduct a civil ceremony in which their personal partnership could be attested to in public and signed and sealed under law. Marriage is a means of civilising sex and if you wish to experience what life is like when this ancient custom is ignored, feel free to visit any of our large council estates where they rut like feral rats! Thus, I am in favour of 'marriage' for one and all and irrespective of sexual tastes, but I am equally in favour of Christians conducting their ancient sacrements in the tried and tested ways they themselves have found to be best.
After all, it's their right - innit?!
It always turns out the The Left is wedded to rights until they are YOUR rights.
Posted by: dearieme | Monday, 04 February 2013 at 13:14
But no one is asking you to.
I really don't see what the fuss is about, if you don't like gay marriage don't marry someone of the same sex. Do you really care so much what happens in Quaker churches or reform synagogues? The legislation as proposed will mean that it will still be unlawful for any Church of England church to marry two people of the same gender.
Not all change is bad.
Posted by: BenB | Monday, 04 February 2013 at 13:38
As I understand the proposal homosexual couples will be allowed an equal legal marriage in civil premises and also by those religous groups that agree to marry homosexual couples. The CofE and the Catholics and others are not forced to opt in and there is negligable chance of a successful legal challenge to force the CofE etc to do something they don't want to do.
So, DD should you find you have a gay nephew or niece I hope you would find it in yourself to walk up the aisle with them if asked - though probably not in a CofE or Catholic church in your lifetime.
That said it is as sure as night follows day that with the passage of time and pressure of dwindling congregations and funds all churches will be forced to consider same sex marriage - right now they can hide behind the law of the land, it is surely this that is setting the cassocks aflutter. In the end we must consider for whose benefit the country's laws are framed - not necessarily for old men with a penchant for fancy dress.....
Posted by: rogerh | Monday, 04 February 2013 at 14:08
Gentlemen, first of all you have a far more optimistic view of the future than me. The main aim of the agitators is to damage the C of E and the Catholics. They couldn't care less about the minor churches - any more than most of them care about where or how they get married. If they get this proposal on the statute book it will only be a matter of time before they bring pressure to bear on those they consider to be their main social/political enemies.
Let me stress - Ben! - that I couldn't care less where homosexuals get married but I do care about agitators whipping up campaigns against people's religion. And by the way, I notice they have steered well clear of the Muslims and the Sikhs - very wise of them!
Anyway, Ben, you should be on your knees thanking God that you did *not* get a part in the recent travesty at our theatre!
Posted by: David Duff | Monday, 04 February 2013 at 15:29
A good point DD. So long as the public purse bears the cost of 'public interest' challenges the professional piss-takers will have a go. Perhaps parliamentary draghtspersons should lose pay and pension in the event of dud legislation. And pigs might fly.
Posted by: rogerh | Monday, 04 February 2013 at 15:49
Hmmmn! I'd rather have flying pig shit hit me than the crapulata that spews out of parliament and Brussels!
Posted by: David Duff | Monday, 04 February 2013 at 19:46
Would anybody like to estimate how long it will be before a pair of homosexuals take the CoE to the Strasbourg court to force them to conduct their marriage? We are selling the pass on this. How long before an individual attempts to force marriage between themselves and a donkey they are very fond of?
Posted by: backofanenvelope | Tuesday, 05 February 2013 at 11:22
"Why I shall never walk up the aisle with a gay!"
You already know how to iron, so you got one foot down the aisle as it is.
I agree with BOE, the idea of Same-sex marriage is that it forces us to accept, and not just tolerate, homosexual intercourse. This is just the first step. The next is to sue the various churches for discrimination.
Posted by: Dom | Tuesday, 05 February 2013 at 12:35
Sooner, BOE, very much sooner than the idiots rushing this through realise.
But, Dom, it was the British army taught me how to iron. Had I died at least I would have done so with proper creases in my trousers!
Posted by: David Duff | Tuesday, 05 February 2013 at 15:57