Scotland to Legalize Gay Marriage, Church Stresses 'Danger'

By Myles Collier, Christian Post Contributor Friday, July 27, 2012

British Prime minister David Cameron is once again making clear that he supports gay marriage and intends to push through legislation in parliament that will legalize same-sex marriage, in addition to plans in Scotland already moving forward to do just that.

Cameron recently attended a function supporting the gay community during which he reinforced his belief that gays should have the ability to marry by citing legislations that has been passed over the last 40 years in the U.K.

"I just want to say I am absolutely determined that this coalition government will follow in that tradition by legislating for gay marriage in this parliament," he said.

Scottish officials confirmed they would put forth a bill on the issue, insisting the earliest ceremonies could be conducted in the beginning of 2015.

While gay advocacy groups applaud the decision, local leaders, as well as the Catholic Church and Church of Scotland, have continued to denounce the government's plans.

"The Scottish government is embarking on a dangerous social experiment on a massive scale … We strongly suspect that time will show the Church to have been completely correct in explaining that same-sex sexual relationships are detrimental to any love expressed within profound friendships," a spokesman for the Catholic Church in Scotland, said.

While Scotland currently recognizes civil unions, church leaders caution that legalizing gay marriage would infringe on the religious liberties of the Church by forcing them to conduct ceremonies not congruent with their beliefs.

"We are acutely aware that opinions differ among our own members and that many people are anxious and hurt in the current situation," Rev. Alan Hamilton, of the Church of Scotland, told the BBC.

"We are concerned the government will legislate without being able to effectively protect religious bodies or their ministers whose beliefs prevent them from celebrating civil-partnerships or same-sex marriages," he added.