Written by: Errol Naidoo
Article source: familypolicyinstitute.com
We have just 4 weeks left to make submissions on the “Green Paper on Marriages in SA.” Government’s foreign inspired agenda to “redefine the concept of marriage” to validate a particular sexual ideology is the most insidious assault on this bedrock institution. We must therefore speak up boldly to defend this God-given institution or risk undermining its integrity.
The ANC government has made it clear it rejects the notion that Biblical beliefs and convictions are justifiable reasons to disagree with the LGBTQ lifestyle. The SA government repeatedly affirmed its allegiance to the global sexual rights movement and declared its intention to bully the Bible-believing Church into submission by pain of law.
The Green Paper is a policy discussion document that requires the written comments of South African citizens. The Constitution precludes government from formulating public policy without consulting citizens. For this reason and the fact that marriage is a cornerstone that stabilises society – it is critical that every Christian citizen make their voice heard.
The ANC regime favours marriage laws. However, democratic government is established “of the people, by the people and for the people.” In other words, governments are set in place by the citizens of a nation to expressly execute the will of the people.
The overwhelming majority of citizens believe marriage is a union between a man and a woman and this definition must be protected in law. Polygamous and same-sex unions are already recognised and protected in law, and as a consequence enjoy all the benefits of marriage. So why is government claiming to “redress the injustices of the past” (apartheid laws) by abolishing the sexual complementarity of man and woman in marriage?
Essentially, what this comes down to is the Green Paper provides the following 3 policy options for the public’s consideration:
1. Inclusive customary and religious marriage regime
• The Recognition of Customary Marriages Act could be amended to cater for all polygamous marriages irrespective of race, cultural and religious persuasions.
2. Religion and culture-neutral marriage regime
• SA could do away with categorising marriages along racial, religious and cultural lines. That means South Africa will adopt a dual system of either monogamous or polygamous marriages. Monogamous marriages will either be homogeneous or heterogeneous.
3. Gender neutral marriage regime
• South Africa could do away with categorising marriages along lines of race, sexual orientation, religion and culture. That means South Africa will still adopt a dual system of either monogamous or polygamous marriages as in option 2. The difference between options 2 and 3 is that this option is gender neutral. Therefore all marriages, whether monogamous or polygamous, could be concluded regardless of the sex or sexual orientation of the person. This would accommodate both polygymy and polyandry.
Family Policy Institute’s submission selects option 2. We agree monogamous marriage must not be categorised along racial, religious and cultural lines. However, monogamous (or polygamous) marriages must retain its male, female definition to maintain its integrity.
We propose the “Single Marriage Statute” include chapters that specify the different marriage categories, (1) monogamous heterosexual marriage, (2) polygamous marriages, (3) civil unions that cater for same-sex and transgender unions. We also propose the Customary Marriages Act be amended to cater for Muslim and other religious or cultural marriages.
The Act must not prescribe the religious or cultural formulas that solemnise marriage.
I am working flat-out to finalise FPI’s submission so I can share it with you as a guideline. We are also working on an online facility to simplify the process of sending submissions to government. We hope to mobilise thousands to comment on this vital issue this month.
Article 16 of the 1948 United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights acknowledged the family, based on marriage between man and a woman, is “the natural and fundamental group unit of society” and, as such, “entitled to protection by society and the state.”
US social commentator, Don Feder says, “To say the family based on marriage is “the fundamental group unit of society,” means it’s the foundation. Demolish the foundation, and the entire structure collapses. Marriage is the glue that holds society together.”
“That’s why marriage matters, and the fight for marriage is the fight for our future.”
I conclude with this warning: If the Christian Church remains silent on marriage – allowing government to redefine this foundational institution – Pastors, religious marriage officers, Church facilities, marriage chapels and other wedding related businesses will all become vulnerable to multiple legal challenges and potentially crippling lawsuits.
Psalm 94:16, asks, “Who will rise up for me against the evildoers, who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?” I fervently pray you will answer this call with, “I will Lord.”
Date published: 01/06/2021
Feature image: Image for illustrative purposes only.
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