Archbishop Welby 'Quite Uncomfortable' When Considering Supporting Same Sex Marriage in UK
The Archbishop of Canterbury is still wrestling with proposed measures that would legalize same sex marriage in the United Kingdom, adding that he is "still thinking my way through" the issue.
The issue of same sex marriage has been a divisive one in the U.K. ever since Prime Minister David Cameron made it a key objective during his tenure at 10 Downing Street. It has brought concern that such proposals, if passed, would adversely affect those who value the role of traditional marriage.
"A law that changes marriage from being about covenant to being about contract is a weakening of the glue that holds society together," Archbishop Justin Welby told The London Times during an interview.
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"You can tell, I'm quite uncomfortable … I'm still thinking my way through this … throughout the Bible it is clear that the right place for sex is only within a committed, heterosexual marriage," he added.
Edward Leigh, a former trade minister, had previously addressed the House of Commons during a debate concerning supporters of traditional marriage and was concerned that such legislation could impact the rights of heterosexual couples.
Leigh is also concerned with the treatment of those supporting traditional values should Prime Minister David Cameron and the British government pass new laws legalizing gay marriage.
Queens Council Aidan O'Neill previously wrote a legal opinion that warned about the effects of redefining marriage as well.
"If the Government is successful in redefining marriage, then there are hundreds of thousands of teachers, parents, foster carers, or even hospital and army chaplains who could find themselves being disciplined for their beliefs, just as Adrian Smith was … to think otherwise is out of touch with reality." Leigh told The Christian Institute.
During his testimony in the House of Commons, Leigh highlighted the plight of Adrian Smith, a housing manager, who had his pay docked after he posted messages on Facebook supporting traditional marriage last year.
Politicians who are supporting redefining marriage had previously stated that measures would be taken to ensure that religious institutions would not be forced to act in conflict of their consciences, but there are no new protections for those outside of religious institutions who object on moral grounds.
"If the Government is serious about protecting those who back the current definition of marriage from being marginalized for their beliefs then it must act immediately to change the Equality Act," Leigh said.
