Time is running out for the public to comment on the controversial Marriage Bill which seeks to bring together into a single statute, the different laws that currently govern marriage in South Africa. Tomorrow is the last day for comment.
Philip Rosenthal director of Christian View Network calls the Bill “The world’s most radical attempt to undermine marriage, proposed by the Department of Home Affairs at the instigation of sexual revolutionary activists”.
“It threatens to compound disastrous state policy on family and religious freedom of pastors,” he says in a statement. He complains that the department refused their request for an extension of time, since religious organisations only became aware of the deadline earlier this month. “Please demand that Home Affairs scrap this bill and keep separate Marriage Acts, “ he says.
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Statements can be emailed to Moses.Malakate@dha.gov.za or Agnes.Molefe@dha.gov.za
Michael Swain, executive director of FOR SA urges the religious community to hurry to comment on the Act. He says FOR SA’s recommendations, which are aimed at ensuring that nobody is forced to solemnise a marriage that is contrary to their beliefs and that state-employed marriage officers are never forced to perform the spiritual aspects of a marriage in violation of their conscience, can be found on their website forsa.org.za.
Swain says: “As a legal advocacy group, FOR SA is faith and doctrinally neutral. Our perspective is to look at the legal lie of the land and then to pick a strategy and a course of action to defend and uphold religious freedom.
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“Faith communities may certainly have concerns with the Bill beyond our scope and they are obviously entitled to voice them and to press for whatever amendments they desire.”
He says: “You can also find more information on this Bill [on the FOR SA website and a template downloadable submission setting out the concerns which — in our view — are important contributions to ensure that religious freedom rights are upheld and protected — particularly for religious marriage officers.
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