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One of the major differences between conservatives and progressives is that we demand protections for all citizens, whereas in general, progressives demand rights for their adherents exclusively. This difference has been particularly noticeable during the campaign for marriage equality, although it shows up across the board. Progressives have taken to openly criticising us for our desire to preserve our freedoms. Gay rights activist, Rodney Croome, goes so far as to say that for conservatives - whom Croome refers to as the radical right -  the fear of losing freedoms is actually an attempt to gain power:

This week, a young homosexual man was abused for opposing the redefinition of marriage in Australia. Angry Yes campaigners yelled insults and tried to drown out his speech at a rally held to promote that fact that 'It's Ok To Vote No.' This young guy took a very brave stance and should have been commended for swimming against the tide and breaking a stereotype that says all gay people want same-sex 'marriage.' Instead. for his trouble, he was met with ridicule and disrespect from those who claim they celebrate diversity. [click here to read more.] But this gay man is not alone in his desire to maintain the traditional definition of marriage. There are many other homosexuals who, for various reasons, are against same-sex 'marriage'. I don't agree with the reasoning of some of these commentators, but that isn't the point of this article. I simply want to illustrate the fact that there is a false narrative surrounding the Yes campaign - that the desire to redefine marriage is some kind of universally-held doctrine of the gay movement. So now follows a list of 10 prominent gays who don't want marriage equality.

In his essay in the Public Discourse, law professor Bradley Miller suggests studying the effects of redefining marriage using three criteria:

Anyone interested in assessing the impact of same-sex marriage on public life should investigate the outcomes in three spheres: first, human rights (including impacts on freedom of speech, parental rights in public education, and the autonomy of religious institutions); second, further developments in what sorts of relationships political society will be willing to recognize as a marriage (e.g., polygamy); and third, the social practice of marriage.

We're going to take a trip around the world to look at the consequences for Christians where same-sex marriage has been legalised. And it's not only Christians who have suffered after this legislation was passed, but also atheists, agnostics, Jews and even gays themselves. The following list is only 55 of those consequences from 13 of the countries that have redefined marriage. [Note regarding citations: Several consecutive examples have a common source; the link for this is given after the last example.]  

Canada

Canada legalised same-sex marriage in 2002. Now:

• civil celebrants sacked for refusing to perform same-sex weddings
• writing a letter to the editor supporting traditional marriage is now considered hate speech
• professional governing bodies can be sued for discrimination
• for promoting traditional marriage over same sex marriage
• parents have lost authority over their children's education
• religious schools must tolerate groups who promote homosexuality. [Source]

• legal action is underway to secure marriage for polygamists.[Source]
• most cases of bestiality now legal [Source]

• Definitely no evidence of an increase in stability. [Source]
• Children can be removed from heterosexual parents who don't support same-sex marriage [Source]
• pop music, (eg a Dire Straits classic) can be banned for containing words the offend homosexuals [Source]

Britain:

Britain legalised same sex marriage in 2013 via parliamentary vote. Now:

• 'heteronormative' pronouns and words are prohibited in many places,
• churches are under pressure to no longer refuse to perform same-sex marriages (protections were given at the time legislation went through),
• Christians and other parents who oppose same-sex marriage may no longer adopt children,
• seven faith schools are close to being shut down for failing to teach that same-sex marriage is equivalent to traditional marriage
• no opt-out for students in sexualised school lessons, which begin at age 3. (Source)
• Christian relationship counsellors must counsel same-sex couples [Source]
• magistrates unable to opt-out of same-sex adoption cases [Source]
• social media criticism of same-sex marriage can lead to demotion/pay cut [Source]
• criticism of 'Pride' marches potentially constitutes a hate-crime [Source]
• Promoting Easter church services warrants enquiry into homosexual 'offence' [Source]
• Suggesting that homosexuals can change orientation warrants police enquiry [Source]
• Employees can be dismissed for supporting traditional view of marriage [Source]
• Clergy can be fined and sent to re-education for exercising employment rights [Source]
• polygamy is becoming more popular in the UK [Source]

Ireland

Ireland legalised same-sex marriage in 2015 by referendum. Now:

• small businesses can't refuse to service same-sex weddings [Source]
• The door has been opened for recognising polygamous marriages [Source]

Scotland

Scotland legalised same-sex marriage in 2014. Now:

• Christians are persecuted for preaching against homosexuality [Source]
• Clergy who oppose homosexuality committing an unofficial hate-crime [Source]

USA

The Supreme Court of the United States legalised same-sex marriage in 2015. Now:

• florists can't refuse to supply same-sex weddings [Source] 
• Bakers can't refuse their services. [Source]
• employees can be fired for expressing their opposition to same-sex marriage
• lawyers can fail their bar test for not supporting same-sex marriage
• Catholic adoption agencies have closed rather than serve same-sex couples
• parents unable to opt children out of sexualised school classes [Source]
• Calls for polygamy to be made legal [Source]
• Calls for 'machinism' (a relationship between a human and a computer) to be made legal [Source]
• Gay 'pride' events have become more numerous and obscene
• gay domestic violence has increased greatly [Source]

Denmark

Denmark legalised same-sex marriage in 2012. Now:

• Churches are being forced to perform same-sex weddings (protections were initially offered.) [Source]

Belgium

Belgium legalised same sex marriage in 2003. Now:

• Clergy are persecuted for criticising homosexuality [Source]

Sweden

Sweden legalised same-sex marriage in 2009. Now:

• no priest in the Swedish Church can refuse to perform a sane-sex wedding [Source]
• preaching against homosexuality is a hate-crime [Source]
• It is a crime to question the homosexual agenda within the school system [Source]
• Christian groups who investigate the harms of homosexuality are persecuted [Source]

Spain 

Spain legalised same-sex marriage in 2005. Now:

• On birth certificates, 'mother' and 'father' have been replaced by 'progenitor A' or 'B' [Source]
• Clergy are persecuted for criticising homosexuality, IVF for gay couples etc [Source]

Germany

Germany legalised same-sex marriage in 2017. Now:

• the media now links terrorism with 'homophobia' [Source]

Columbia 

Columbia legalised same-sex marriage in 2016. Now:

• There is a push for legal recognition of polygamy [Source]

France

Legalised same sex marriage in 2013. Now:

• criticising same-sex relationships is a hate-crime [Source]

Netherlands

The Netherlands legalised same-sex marriage in 2000. Now:

• Celebrants are forced to perform ceremonies in some areas [Source]
• Same-sex couples have equal rights to adopt [Source]
• Businesses can be forced to provide services that promote homosexuality [Source]
• Persecution of clergy who fail to support homosexuality [Source]
• heterosexual marriage rates fell after same-sex marriage was legalised [Source]

13 Countries, 55 Consequences of Redefining Marriage

The examples above represent only some of the cases of persecution and discrimination that have occurred and are occurring where marriage has been redefined. In addition to these examples, there are reports to suggest that the legalisation of same-sex marriage will have an enormous impact on heterosexuals in other ways, and particularly on men. [Read more here] As Christians, we  know that the push to redefine marriage is part of a broader attack on the family, one with its roots in Marxism. In fact, Marx himself declared war on the family and Christianity, when he said:

Thus, for instance, after the earthly family is discovered to be the secret of the holy family, the former must then itself be destroyed in theory and in practice.

We simply cannot trust Yes campaigners and politicians who tell us that same-sex marriage is 'all about love'. We know full well that redefining marriage is only the tip of the iceberg and that discrimination against marriage traditionalists is certain to ensue. It's not about love, it's all about the consequences. Please vote no.  

In accordance with s 6(5) of the Marriage Law Survey (Additional Safeguards) Act 2017, this communication was authorised by Kathy Clubb of Melbourne, Vic.  

This letter was sent to me by a reader who felt that Christians are being misunderstood for their stance against redefining marriage. Please share this with gay friends or family members who may be having trouble understanding our point of view. 

It sometimes seems that the current marriage debate is more about words than about expressing heartfelt opinions and ideas. And it's often about who can shout their words louder than the other side. Unfortunately, many of those words are four-letter ones. And they have nothing to do with the one word at the centre of the controversy: love. For it's more about 'love' than about marriage, if you believe the mouthpieces for the Yes camp. Love wins, choose love, drown out the hate with love - all these make for good hashtags. But beyond the slogan is another reality entirely, and it's more about another four-letter word: hate.  

While Dave Pellowe has written a very useful article intended to equip Protestant pastors, I thought I'd put together some resources specifically for Catholics or for those who want to understand the Church's stance on marriage. There has been a great deal of misinformation in Catholic circles regarding the marriage debate: while the Church's teaching is very clear, there are those who are content to deviate from this teaching and promote their own views - views which may in some circumstances be classified as formal heresy. [See Edward Peter's article linked below.] One example of this is a statement from Jesuit lecturer Fr. Frank Brennan, which suggests that it is appropriate for Catholics to support the  redefinition of marriage and that it may even be 'good for society.' [Click here to read his views.]