I suppose the issue is if gay marriage becomes legal then the Catholic Church can be accused of discrimination, although from my understanding it already discriminates against divorced people (correct me if my info is out of date). I agree it seems odd that people would follow a faith that preaches against them.
Ahh but no, the Bill, according to Theresa May, has a "quadruple lock" churches can "opt-in", they don't have to do this. The Catholic Church is specifically named as exempt and cannot opt in (although why this is necessary if all churches can choose to opt in or not??) No religious organisation can be taken to court for refusing and no individual can be taken to court for refusing. As far as I am aware, even this new Bill doesn't enforce a church to marry gay couples, it just says they can if they want to.
I'm not sure why anyone would want to be a member of a church who's core belief is that they are sinners, but the fact is, it does happen. There are also some individual priests who I know would be open to conducting a same sex marriage in the catholic church and it's quite sad that neither this bill, nor the head of the catholic church allows them to do this.
Personally, I've never really understood what the fuss was about. I stood in front of a registrar with my friends and family, and said "I do" to Mr Foo and we have a marriage. Mr Foo's brother did exactly the same with his male partner. As far as I'm concerned, they have a marriage too. They are both now my brothers in law and are Abby's Uncles. I didn't realise there was any different until the news told me there was to be a bill making it a marriage.
I haven't really looked in to it in much detail, but apart from the name, and the option of a church being allowed to do it (but not compelled to) are there any other differences? I mean, in law, is Mr Foo's brother's partner actually her Uncle? Is he actually my "Brother in Law?"
