A group of church leaders who are dead set against marriage
equality are asking for a letter against the bill to be read out in churches
across the country.
The New Zealand Christian Network has written to its members in an email to be read out in churches over the next two Sundays. It says Christians and all others who are intending to make a submission on the Marriage Definition Amendment bill should take time “to seek God’s heart” before writing one.
National Director Glyn Carpenter adds that “while it is highly probable that this bill will not be good for New Zealand,” he believes some of the comments he has heard over the past few weeks lack perspective and would be more likely to undermine the argument than support it.
“We urge anyone concerned about this issue to make a submission, and to do so with language and a tone of voice that is gracious and respectful. It is possible to talk so much or speak so ‘loudly’ that people can’t hear what we are saying. It is also possible for language to reflect a ‘tone of voice’ which does not communicate the love we are called to display,” he says.
Carpenter is also asking what he claims is a “very small number of people who are actually pushing for this bill”, to consider the greater good for New Zealand and not just what they see as their own rights – to look at the bigger picture and the good of society as a whole.
“If there are legitimate rights which they do not already have under civil union legislation, surely these can be discussed, and if necessary addressed, in a way which does not further undermine the institution of marriage in New Zealand society?” he says.
