Redefining marriage may lead to slippery slope

for at least 4,000 years marriage has been a biblical sacrament between a man and a woman that’s ordained by God. No legal redefinition of the union is going to change that.

So I agree with Brian Sheridan (Yorkshire Post, March 9) that over-the-top statements by Cardinal Keith O’Brie n aren’t helpful to the debate.

However, Christians are right to be concerned about the reasons behind the proposals to change the meaning of marriage. Brian Sheridan thinks that it’s all about love and others voice the need for equality. But changing a name doesn’t increase love in a relationship and marriage will not improve the legal equality of those already in civil partnerships.

So, the proposal simply confuses the meaning of marriage. As we’ve seen with abortion, it will almost certainly lead to Christians who refuse to officiate being sacked or prosecuted. Also termination of pregnancy, where there are now even proposals for “post-birth abortion” (euthanasia of infants), illustrates how so-called liberating measures lead to slippery slopes.

How about polygamous or even animal marriages next?

Perhaps this is where secular self-focused society wants to go and it has the right to choose to go there. But, as with abortion on demand, don’t expect Christians to agree.

From: Dr Helen Vos, Main Street, Escrick, York.

SO the Church, be it Roman Catholic or Church of England, wants to ban “gay marriage”.

Then they and all their worshippers should stop being hypocrites and practice what is preached; divorce should be banned where it is sanctified in a church and all those so privileged to actually get their blessing under the hallowed roofs, should attend church weekly.