Expert: Rev Steve Parish - 3/15/2011

Question
Do you think that gay marriage could be conducted in an Anglican church? If not, what theological basis should we exclude this? If we are to exclude it why do we allow divorce bearing in mind that Jesus forbade this and made no reference to homosexuality? I am asking this to gather different views and reasons for opinions. Thanks.

Answer
Objections to homosexual relationships are based on scriptures other than the gospels. Even if a liberal attitude is taken toward homosexual relationships, "gay marriage" is a fundamental shift n the understanding of marriage as being between a man and a woman (and would be against English law which currently makes the same assumption about the nature of marriage). As things stand at present, there is no chance of the Church of England approving of a marriage service between homosexuals, even if the law were changed to permit it.