Comments on: Keep church and state separate on equal marriage

By: Shuna

Shuna — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 16:30:02 +0000

@ Iain, as a church is Scotland minister I see it as part of my ‘duties’ as parish minister. Same as at a funeral I do them and do not get paid unless the family give a personal gift but certainly not expected or encouraged. I am payed a stipend so no need for extra payment. I know in some areas undertakers auto add a fee for minister but that not strictly needed if a CofS funeral. Not sure how other denominations work tho’. We recently made the decision not to ask for a payment towards the church for funerals, instead to ask for a donation towards heating costs etc. none of this is for the minister.

Disappointed the Scot Govt delaying decision, let’s just get on with it!

By: Craig Gallagher

Craig Gallagher — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 15:06:01 +0000

But there’s no guarantee of that, ever. Any Parliament can overturn any other, so what’s your point, caller?

By: Doug Daniel

Doug Daniel — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 13:36:09 +0000

In the sense that we all know exactly what the true reasons for their opposition is, yes, they’ve failed. But in the sense that they can deny outright homophobia and could be accused of hate crime or something, that’s different.

By: Doug Daniel

Doug Daniel — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 13:33:50 +0000

Where am I being prejudiced?

By: Iain Menzies

Iain Menzies — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 08:19:09 +0000

what was it you were saying about prejudice?

By: Don McC

Don McC — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 06:23:38 +0000

Bob, would you object to the banning of organised religion being put to the Scottish people in a referendum? After all, if organised religion was banned, it would neatly deal with your objections to religious ceremonies for gay couples.

By: Don McC

Don McC — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 06:21:49 +0000

If these objections really are “contrived attempts to justify their opposition to homosexuality in a way that doesn’t make them look like as ignorant and old-fashioned as my parents do when they see two blokes on TV kissing” then, I’m sorry, they’ve failed spectacularly.

By: Doug Daniel

Doug Daniel — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 22:48:04 +0000

Doug – it would win in a referendum, of that I have absolutely no doubt. But it’s such a piddly little change that I don’t see the point. I dare say the majority of people see this as little more than an administrative issue, since we already talk of gay couples getting married, even though they’re only civil partners. If nothing else, referendums should only be used for issues that genuinely effect everyone. I have no intention in getting married to another man, but what right do I have to say someone else can’t do it?

If we have a referendum on this, then why not have a referendum on banning organised religion? People like Cardinal O’Brien do far more damage to society than a couple of gay guys wanting to be able to get married, rather than just “married”.

By: Bob

Bob — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 21:58:52 +0000

Bob – I therefore presume that you would have no difficulty with the issue being put to a referendum.

By: Bob

Bob — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 21:55:38 +0000

You say none of this is going to change. How do you know?