This Australian church donated $1 million to fight same-sex marriage
An Australian church has donated AU$1 million to battle against same-sex marriage.
Archbishop of Sydney Glenn Davies of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney confirmed the donation while addressing Archbishop of Sydney Glenn Davies today, BuzzFeed reports.
“The Standing Committee has also enthusiastically backed our participation in the Coalition For Marriage and has taken the bold step of drawing down $1 million from the Diocesan Endowment to promote the ‘No’ case,” he said.
Same-sex marriage ballot (WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images)
“Yet the cause is just and it is a consequence of our discipleship to uphold the gift of marriage as God has designed it — a creation ordinance for all people.
“By so doing, the wisdom of God is made manifest.”
Explainer: What the hell is going on with same-sex marriage in Australia?
He continued: “I believe that a change in the definition of marriage is unwarranted, not just because it is in opposition to the teaching of scripture and our Lord himself in Matthew 19.
“But because I believe marriage, traditionally understood as a union of one man and one woman, is a positive good for our society, where marriage and the procreation of children are bound together as the foundational fabric of our society, notwithstanding the sad reality that not all married couples are able to conceive.”
Protests in Australia (SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images)
During his address, the Archbishop noted that the Archbishop of Sydney had joined forces with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, Marriage Alliance and the Australian Christian Lobby to be a founding member of the controversial Coalition for Marriage.
Earlier this year, the Archbishop of Sydney claimed that Britain should be a ‘warning’ to Australia on equal marriage.
Equal marriage became law in England and Wales in 2013, and Scotland in 2014.
Vote Yes graffiti (Getty)
“There are also distinct and serious consequences in changing the definition of marriage,” he said.
“We know from recent experiences in the United Kingdom and North America that the ramifications of such a change are profound.
“Their experience shows us that if the law is changed, it will have direct impact on people of faith and faith-based institutions.”
He had previously claimed that Australians have been “sold a lie” on same-sex marriage and business leaders “bullied” into declaring their support.
“The campaign for same-sex marriage is not sailing on a raft of rainbows but on a barge of bullies,” he said.
Australians supporting same-sex marriage (Getty)
“The corporate world has been press-ganged into [the] cause.
“It is a regrettable state of affairs that executives of some the large public companies have been too weak-kneed to resist the attacks of a strident minority via social media platforms. The way it has been presented is ‘diversity’.”
The Anglican Diocese of Sydney has long been involved in the debate within the church on homosexuality.
Davies’s predecessor Dr Peter Jensen said in October 2006 that the schism in the church on the issue could result in the office of Archbishop soon losing its status.
Couples kiss at the conclusion of an Illegal Wedding at the State Library of Victoria (Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
In 2008, the only openly gay Anglican bishop at the time spoke out Archbishop Dr Peter Jensen.
Gene Robinson, bishop of New Hampshire, said: “It is ironic that the Sydney Diocese, taking in one of the great gay cities of the world, is also among the most bigoted.”
In 2012, Rev Robert Forsythe of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney added: “Marriage is a contract between two people.
“We believe it’s good when it’s blessed in a religious context, but religion doesn’t make marriage.”
Same-sex marriage ballot paper (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
The controversial postal vote on same-sex marriage, which is nonbinding, closes on November 7.
The final result will be revealed on November 15.
While opinion polls are heavily suggesting a “Yes” vote, Australian society appears to be becoming increasingly divided as the campaigning period continues.
Some celebrities, like rugby star Israel Folau, have been vocal in their opposition to same-sex marriage.
Melburnians stage mass illegal wedding (Getty)
“I love and respect all people for who they are and their opinions. but personally, I will not support gay marriage,” he said.
On the other side of the debate, one Australian grandmother, Jean, featured in a video from Australian Marriage Equality, explained why she would be voting Yes.
“My youngest granddaughter has grown into a very loyal, very kind, loving girl, and I’m so proud of her,” she says in the video.
“Gabby and Rosie are happy and settled and married. And that’s what I want for them.
“It is very important to say Yes to make them happy, and it will obviously make me very happy if Gabby and Rosie are happy and settled and married, and that’s what I want for them.”
