Same-sex marriages
These days Norwegian authorities are discussing a new law of marriage (including a same-sex marriage law). Among other churches The Norwegian Unitarian Church has also been asked to comment upon the suggestion for a new law.
We have so far concluded on the four major topics discussed:
1)
a) Same-sex marriages should be accepted by law and in all aspects equal
to heterosexual marriages.
b) Churches should receive the right to marry same-sex couples but not
be forced to do so.
c) The Bét Dávid Unitarian Association (The Norwegian Unitarian Church)
is among those churches that want to marry same-sex couples.
2)
The old Law of Partnership is to be removed.
3)
a) Full rights of adoption for same-sex married couples.
b) The word “spouse” should be used both for same-sex marriages and
heterosexual marriages.
4)
All rights given by the Law of Biotechnology should be the same for both
same-sex marriages and heterosexual marriages.
2007. October 14. at 15:09
Dear Knut,
I really don’t understand your statement. I thought you and your community are a true offspring of Hungarian Unitarian tradition and we share such values as the strengh of family. I am really very disappointed after reading your opinion.
While we recognize the human dignity of each person and welcome anyone as individual member in our congregations regardless their sexual orientation, we should also be aware of our responsabilities towards the society around us, which is built up by small cells called families. We are not only individual beings but we live in mutual relationship to our fellows.
We should not judge or condemn anyone for their sexual orientation, but this does not mean we should see homosexuality as a normal behavior. Of course homosexuality is not a sin, neveertheless it is something out of harmony. If we honour life, we must recognize that homosexuality is against life. We do not condemn this people, even warmly welcome them in our churches as our brothers and sisters, but we must see clearly: as we do not allow to deaf persons to become policemen, we can not allow to homosexuals to marry, and much more give them the right to adopt children. The deaf do accept that they can work for the police only as administrators for example and not as members of an operation unit, the homosexuals should also accept that they can become useful and esteemed members of society but can not behave so if they were heterosexuals. They are different and they should be aware of this difference.
Furthermore, I think a child has the right to grow up in an emotionally and well-balanced family where the parents role is evident. A liitle boy or girl needs a father and a mother to become a psychosexually healthy adult. Even a child who was brought up by step-parents has lot of wounds in his spirit, so lets not speak about the children of gay or lesbian couples.
Also, if we accept same-sex marriage we should accept polygamy among Muslim residents. And where will we stop? We have our own tradition, our own culture and we should be faithful to that.
I do believe in the human dignity of homosexual people and wish they could find a spiritual home in the Unitarian community, but both side has its own tasks and responsabilities and our first aim should be the protection of families.
My sorrow is big, and if Hungarian Unitarians follow the Norvegian example I will leave the Church immediately, because I can not take part with pure conscience in the destruction of our values.