Same-sex marriage: Governments should 'keep out of the bedroom' Catholic Archbishop says

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During his homily, the Archbishop argued the only kind of relationship the state should have an interest in recognising and regulating was heterosexual marriage.

“Governments should, in general, keep out of the friendship business and out of the bedroom,” Archbishop Fisher said.

He spoke about heterosexual marriage being primarily focused around the importance of children.

“The only kind of friendship the state has a proper interest in recognising and regulating is heterosexual marriage, because that’s what leads to children — new citizens — and gives them the best start in life,” he said.
 
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It’s great that this got a little bit of press.
It’s unfortunate he used the words “the bedroom” as that will make the general public dismiss the whole commentary.
I’m happy that Archibosjop Fisher if trying to be prominent on this issue in Australia at the moment but given the sex abuse scandal the Catholic Church has really lost all tangible credibility in this country for the majority of secular and cultural Catholics
 
It’s about time someone came out with a strong statement. The Anglican diocese of Sydney has given one million dollars to the no campaign. Now the Catholic Church…

I believe the argument for the no vote should be very simple. It’s against God.
 
“If you choose not to decide you still have made a choice” – Freewill, Rush

The Archbishop seems to want the government by not saying one way or the other as to whether same sex marriage is legitimate. But if it really wanted the government to be neutral on the matter then the government would not consider what one particular church thinks on the matter, and if two people wanted to get married then the government wouldn’t get in the way.

No, the Archbishop onlhy wants the governement to allow those marriage set-ups that his particular church wants, ignoring the fact that some other religions have no problems with same sex marriage.

It’s also interesting because the Catholic Church has in the past wanted governments to regulate private romantic encounters (i.e. what happens in the bedroom). This is most clear in the endorsement of Comstock laws, impeding the religious choice of those who didn’t subscribe to the teaching of the Catholic Church. I don’t know if the Church had spoken out against the repeal of sodomy laws, but I would not be surprised if that was the case.

In short, the Archbishop isn’t looking to keep the government out of the bedroom. Far from it.
 
Mike nj I take it you are for SSM. The biggest argument for SSM here is marriage equality.

I just had a guy here looking at old farm machinery. He is from Sudan or similar. Married with 3 kids and 1 on the way. And just about to take a second wife.

Now, if SSM is made legal, of course those wanting more then 1 wife are going to start campaigning for marriage equality. Here.

Do you think that this should be legalised too?
 
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As far as I know same sex marriage isn’t illegal. Can you get arrested for marrying someone of the same sex in Australia? Gay people can get married, it’s just that the state won’t recognize it as a marriage. Neither the state nor the Church marries anyone, it’s between the couples. If gay people say that they are married I think the state ought to respect their beliefs in the same way they respect mine when I say that I am married.
 
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The Catholic Church has spoken out previously at various times, it’s just the press do not give it much time.
 
the press are not friends of the church. they are global companies pushing an agenda. it is not compatible with the church imo.
 
Maybe I am missing something in the Australian to English translation, but I don’t understand how government regulation of marital partners is staying OUT of the bedroom. Seems like that puts the government squarely in the bedroom.
 
J_Peterson said:
If gay people say that they are married I think the state ought to respect their beliefs in the same way they respect mine when I say that I am married.
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In many jurisdictions, cohabitation for a suitable period, eg. 1 year, is a sufficient basis to accrue almost all the rights and obligations which accrue to married persons. And this is true for same sex couples too.

But the meaning of “marriage”, something beyond legal frameworks, used to be preserved for the only logical context for a sexual union - man+woman. But this practice too will soon be gone.
 
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Thank you Rose Can i work out why you linked me to this thread tomorrow, Rose. Sorry …I just got back from an evening in a nightclub in the city listening one of my nephew’s jazz bands with his parents. It’s not far from midnight. I kept out of this thread, because there’s nothing much we can do except pray that the government will put in safeguards for freedom of religious conscience, and to protect children where possible.
The yes side has the advantage and already the most votes. Whatever we say, the cause is lost,.we’re all going to have to live with the consequences like so many things in this world
 
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