Scotland, embracing it's progressive future, has become the 17th nation to approve same sex marriage
Scotland has said yes to same-sex marriage. This week the Scottish Parliament voted in favor of a same-sex marriage bill with a surprising turnout of 105 votes in favor to 18 Under the bill, religious bodies that wish to perform gay marriages in Scotland can formally “opt in” to do so.
Although the bill passed with a great majority, various amendments had been proposed to protect religious celebrants who opposed the new law. Those who were more eager to include these amendments were 21 MSPs, all devoted Catholics and Baptists. These amendments did not pass, however, as the supporters of the bill argued that religious organizations and celebrants already had sufficient protection. The law will not compel religious institutions to hold ceremonies on their premises.
In July 2013, England and Wales passed legislation to allow gay marriage that are due to take place in March. Scotland will become the 17th country and legislation in the world to introduce same-sex marriage. Mexico, the US, France, the Netherlands, Brazil, Uruguay and New Zealand are among the countries that have approved gay marriage.
The Scottish Health Secretary, Alex Neil, called the approval of the bill “one of the great historic days of the parliament”, especially considering that prior to this bill, being gay in Scotland was considered a criminal offense until 1980 Scotland has taken a significant step in changing the image of their country overseas. They have shown that they are open and committed to the cause.
But while many praise this event as a milestone of progress, others are not as supportive. The two main churches of the country, the Presbyterian Church of Scotland and the Roman Catholic Church, have opposed the reform, alongside other faiths and churches. In fact, 50 ministers and religious leaders wrote to the Scottish government to express their disdain of the bill, regarding it as an assault on tradition. Those who are opposed to the bill fear that the churches who don’t opt in on the bill and the religious leaders who hold a more traditional view on marriage, will be penalized in the future. Also, the Church of Scotland said same-sex marriage would pose a threat to the fundamentals of relationships and marriage, changing the concept of marriage as a relationship between one man and one woman.
This bill has marked the beginning of a new era for Scotland, a country that is on the brink of change and novelty, as it embraces its progressive future.
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Video Wednesday: Scotland Becomes 17th Country to Approve Same-Sex Marriage
February 5, 2014
Scotland, embracing it's progressive future, has become the 17th nation to approve same sex marriage
Scotland has said yes to same-sex marriage. This week the Scottish Parliament voted in favor of a same-sex marriage bill with a surprising turnout of 105 votes in favor to 18 Under the bill, religious bodies that wish to perform gay marriages in Scotland can formally “opt in” to do so.
Although the bill passed with a great majority, various amendments had been proposed to protect religious celebrants who opposed the new law. Those who were more eager to include these amendments were 21 MSPs, all devoted Catholics and Baptists. These amendments did not pass, however, as the supporters of the bill argued that religious organizations and celebrants already had sufficient protection. The law will not compel religious institutions to hold ceremonies on their premises.
In July 2013, England and Wales passed legislation to allow gay marriage that are due to take place in March. Scotland will become the 17th country and legislation in the world to introduce same-sex marriage. Mexico, the US, France, the Netherlands, Brazil, Uruguay and New Zealand are among the countries that have approved gay marriage.
The Scottish Health Secretary, Alex Neil, called the approval of the bill “one of the great historic days of the parliament”, especially considering that prior to this bill, being gay in Scotland was considered a criminal offense until 1980 Scotland has taken a significant step in changing the image of their country overseas. They have shown that they are open and committed to the cause.
But while many praise this event as a milestone of progress, others are not as supportive. The two main churches of the country, the Presbyterian Church of Scotland and the Roman Catholic Church, have opposed the reform, alongside other faiths and churches. In fact, 50 ministers and religious leaders wrote to the Scottish government to express their disdain of the bill, regarding it as an assault on tradition. Those who are opposed to the bill fear that the churches who don’t opt in on the bill and the religious leaders who hold a more traditional view on marriage, will be penalized in the future. Also, the Church of Scotland said same-sex marriage would pose a threat to the fundamentals of relationships and marriage, changing the concept of marriage as a relationship between one man and one woman.
This bill has marked the beginning of a new era for Scotland, a country that is on the brink of change and novelty, as it embraces its progressive future.
