“It’s my understanding that Jesus was on the side of the marginalised and the oppressed. And also that God is love. So as a Christian I can’t just stand in silence on the issue of marriage equality. My faith necessitates that I advocate for it.” – Wallabies Captain David Pocock
Australian Marriage Equality has welcomed a statement issued by Wallabies Captain David Pocock in favour of marriage equality, citing his Christian faith as a key reason.
Australian Marriage Equality National Convener, Alex Greenwich:
“Mr Pocock joins a growing number of vocal christian supporters of marriage equality. We hope their voices are heard by the current Senate inquiry into Marriage Equality”.
Australian Marriage Equality has developed a web tool to help Christian supporters easily make submissions to the Inquiry. The webform and quotes of support from other prominent Christians can be found here.
Mr Greenwich said his organisation regularly meets with religious leaders and said support for marriage equality amongst people of faith is growing:
“Polling late last year showed 53% of Christians support marriage equality, Galaxy’s most recent poll showed 62% of Australians support marriage equality, and when given assurances about religious protections support is further strengthened”.
Mr Pocock’s statement comes as Baptist, Uniting, Anglican, Jewish, and Metropolitan Community Church clergy from across Australia have written to all members of federal parliament asking them to support a motion introduced by Andrew Wilkie about marriage equality and religion. The letts reads:
“While the issue of same-sex marriage is supported by some churches and opposed by others, one area that all churches would agree on is that religious ministers should be under no obligation to perform same-sex marriages if it does not accord with the doctrines of their faith”.
Australian Marriage Equality National Convener, Alex Greenwich, has welcomed the letter as much needed sign of maturity in an often heated debated:
“Rather than engaging in alarmist scaremongering, this group of 15 respected clergy have taken steps to help us reassure faith groups that no church will be under any obligation to marry same-sex couples”.
“We hope this motion will send a clear message that the proposed amendments to the marriage act are about civil marriage, and will not affect the way any church chooses to practice or define marriage”.
Mr Greenwich said he hoped all members of parliament will join his organisation and the 15 clergy in supporting the motion and providing people of faith with this reassurance.
“We hope support for this motion sends a clear message to Bob Katter, the Australian Christian lobby and other concerned groups that we come in peace”.
Further details on the motion can be found here and full polling information can be found here.
For further information contact Alex Greenwich on 0421 316 335.