Gay Marriage: No Opt-Out for Christian Registrars [UK]

The Daily Telegraph (UK) ^ | 2/15/13 | John Bingham

[marshmallow]

Christian registrars will not be able to opt out of performing gay marriages if they object on grounds of belief, the Government’s human rights watchdog has said.

In guidance to MPs, the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said marriage registrars were public officials and so should expect to be “required” to carry out the ceremonies.

The document makes clear that employees, including teachers and chaplains working in the public sector, should be free to express their views on marriage without being disciplined.

But it says that religious protection is “a qualified right” which “the state can interfere with” in some circumstances.

The question of whether council registrars can object to carrying out parts of their jobs if they clash with their religious beliefs was thrown into the spotlight by the case of Lillian Ladele, who was one of four Christians who went to the European Court of Human Rights last year over disputes involving their employers.

Ms Ladele, a former registrar from Islington, north London, was refused the right to opt out of performing civil partnership ceremonies which went against her traditional beliefs about the teaching of the Bible.

[Cowboy Bob]

I guess some “Human Rights” are more important than other “Human Rights?”

[massgopguy]

How about Muslim registrars?

[PetroniusMaximus]

“...and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.”

Heb 11:36-38

[MNDude]

Good question. Gay marriage and a lot of other secular (and Christian) traditions in Europe is going to be a VERY VERY short event with the rapid growth of Islam out there.

[Salvavida]

Go ahead and do the ceremony: turn it into a counseling session. Read from all the passages where God judges homosexuality. How else will they hear the Word of God? Tell the them that unless then repent, they will spend eternity in hell. Marry them (in accordance with civil law); explain why they cannot be members of the church, then kick their a$$es out.

We've got to learn to find the avenues to witness to the lost.

[Pollster1]

"Oh, dear, I'm not feeling well! A bit dizzy. Just give me a moment." Those who cannot afford to take a principled stand and openly refuse can at least do their jobs like so many other government officials - go through the motions of preparing to perform the job but never quite get there until it is time to close for the day. If the entitled perverts demand compliance with their immoral orders, they deserve only the obedience that a slave owes a master - none.

I don't have to choose between faking it or losing my job - I've opted out of the corrupt system they are building. I'm retired on the wealth I created and earned over the past few decades. I will neither support the socialists nor take their orders.

[LastNorwegian]

That sounds great except the registrar will then be fired and possibly charged with hate-crime...

[BillyBoy]

David Cameron is slime.

[aimhigh]

Go ahead and do the ceremony: turn it into a counseling session.

I agree. Every church should create a standard wedding ceremony for all wedding that no gay would want.

[ReformationFan]

I think somehow they’ll be allowed to be exempt.