FOR SA calls on Christians to comment on Marriage Bill by August 31

Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA) has called on Christians not to miss the deadline to comment on the recently-published Marriage Bill by Thursday August 31.

FOR SA executive director Michael Swain says the bill seeks to rationalise SA’s fragmented marriage law regime and to recognise religious marriages that are not legally protected by existing marriage laws. The bill gives effect to the White Paper on Marriages in South Africa, which sets out the department’s policy

Swain says FOR SA is “generally happy” that the bill reflects the outcomes of the White Paper” but is concerned it does not contain a clause that expressly protects the religious freedom of religious marriage officers. 

“This is needed to ensure that they cannot be compelled to solemnise any marriage that conflicts with their faith convictions or those of the religious organisation to whom they belong. We are also asking for the bill to be clarified to avoid unintentionally criminalising religious leaders who solemnise only the ‘religious component’ of the marriage ceremony,” he says.

The bill also broadens the scope of who can be a marriage officer, by allowing anyone holding a responsible position within an organisation to apply to be one.  Marriage officers will thus no longer be limited to state-employed marriage officers (i.e. departmental employees) or to religious leaders who have applied for and hold marriage licences. FOR SA believes that this will better cater for the diverse needs of a diverse society such as SA, where all social groups will now be able to have their own marriage officers who can solemnise relationships in line with their own group’s value systems while observing the marriage legislation.

Swain urges believers to support FOR SA’s recommended amendments to the bill by downloading a submission template on the For SA home page and following instructions. Or you can comment via the Dear SA platform.

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