A Referendum on Gay Marriage

Message / Question

Dr Dave, received advice from Christian elders who you never usually hear from about politics, NOT to vote Labour, Green or Nick Xenophon because if they win, gay marriage will become legal. Is this election a referendum on gay marriage? Is this going to make Malcolm Turnbull win by a landslide, now with this clear Christian vote? And what every vote wants to know - haven't heard much from you on this matter?

Response

OK The election is over (even if we don’t yet have a result!!), so what does it mean for same sex marriage? A recent survey by the Sydney Morning Herald, reported that more than 60% of the Australian electorate opposed the idea of same sex marriage, but it seems that many of our politicians have made up their mind on the issue and don’t want to be confused by the facts! Labor has promised a parliamentary vote – if that happens, same sex marriage will almost certainly be approved by the parliament. Liberals have promised a plebiscite on the issue. Christians must stand up and speak up for Biblical marriage, however if same sex marriage is approved in Australia, we must not forget that God is still on the throne and the world hasn’t been destroyed over night. I suggest that if the State sponsors same sex marriage, then the church should simply create a new form of “ecclesiastical marriage” i.e. marriage that happens with the blessing of the Church. The church could then refuse to accept or recognise any other form of marriage – the world can do what they want, but the Church doesn’t have to be a part of something that is so clearly contrary to God’s established patter and His Word. But all of that is still a future speculation. We must wait and see what happens next. I hope that there WILL be a plebiscite, but with the prospect of a hung parliament or even a change of government, we have to wait to see.