Current Affairs

Christian group backs equal marriage campaign in Australia

Aug 30 2017
Written by Jasmine Andersson

(Getty)

A Christian group has joined the campaign to support marriage rights for all in Australia.

The organisation, named Australian Christians for Marriage Equality, is fighting to secure equal marriage rights in Australia through the country’s controversial postal vote, which will allow Australians to cast their decision from September 12.

The public campaign from the religious group says that it is supporting “saying yes to love” so that “all people are treated with dignity and fairness”.

Couples kiss at the conclusion of an Illegal Wedding at the State Library of Victoria during a Rally For Marriage Equality on August 26, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

“I support marriage equality because God desires that all people are treated with dignity and fairness. Marriage strengthens relationships and gives stability to families,” said Very Reverend Catt, a dean in the Australian Anglican Church.

“We understand this is a matter of civil marriage laws. Churches and other faith communities will continue to be free to practice their own traditions.”

To date, more than 3,000 people have liked the group’s Facebook page, which launched its campaign this week.

In total, over 1,390 organisations have joined the country’s equal marriage movement, including the likes of Muslims For Progressive Values and Progressive Judaism.

“Christians support marriage equality because of our faith, not in spite of it,” said group member Reverend Dr Margaret Mayman.

“At the heart of Jesus’ message is the command to love our neighbours, without discrimination. That’s why I will be voting Yes to equality, and encourage all people of good will to do the same.”

The Yes campaign is turning up the volume in lieu of the impending vote, with 20,000 people rallying in Melbourne over the weekend to support equal marriage rights.

With 20 days for the Yes campaign to make their case heard, 69 events have been organised to support equal marriage.

So far, 4,336 phone banking calls have made so far to ask people to cast a yes vote, with hopes for a total 500,000 over the course of the next twenty days.