Written by: Errol Naidoo
Article source: familypolicyinstitute.com
Government released its policy on proposed new marriage laws in SA. The “White Paper on Marriages” was approved by Cabinet in March 2022 and a summary published for review.
The Dept of Home Affairs says, “a single Marriage Act will be drafted with chapters to cater for the diverse legal requirements of monogamous and polygamous unions.” The “Single Marriage Bill” will be tabled in March 2023 and gazetted for public comment thereafter.
“The Marriage Act of 1961” – that caters for monogamous heterosexual marriage – “The Recognition of Customary Marriages Act of 1998” and “The Civil Unions Act of 2006” – that regulates same-sex unions – will be replaced by a new single umbrella ‘Marriage Act’ soon.
Significantly, however, monogamous marriages in the new ‘Marriage Act’ – that is marriage of any two people irrespective of race, religion, culture or nationality – will be gender-neutral.
The “White Paper” asserts, “the monogamous marriage legal framework must cater for both heterosexual and homosexual couples. The marriage contract will be gender-neutral.” As a consequence, the current definition of marriage as an exclusive union between a man and a woman will cease to exist in SA law – giving LGBTQ groups its first major victory in Africa.
Government caved to the whims of global LGBTQ activists, ignoring the tens of thousands submissions by citizens calling for marriage to be protected as a man, woman institution.
Furthermore, a single “Marriage Act” that redefines monogamous marriage as a union between both opposite and same-sex couples raises concerns for religious marriage officers.
Currently, marriage officers registered under the “Marriage Act of 1961” are not compelled to solemnise same-sex unions. However, the new ‘Marriage Act’ makes no such provision.
As I warned in previous newsletters, the primary aim of the proposed “Single Marriage Statute” was to abolish marriage as an exclusive union between a man and a woman.
LGBTQ activists aided by UN agencies lobbied for marriage laws that recognized both heterosexual and homosexual unions equally as marriage. They viewed the “Civil Unions Act” as “discriminatory” because it implied homosexual unions are inferior to marriage.
The ANC government has surrendered to the irrational demands of global sexual rights radicals by undermining a bedrock social institution that served countless civilisations for millennia – for the express purpose of validating a union in existence for only 21 years.
Government’s approved new policy on marriage in South Africa also leaves the door open for the eventual recognition of Polyandry (group marriage). Under the control of global sexual rights radicals, the ANC regime’s ultimate goal is the total overhaul of Biblical marriage.
The World Family Declaration says, “Family a universal community based on the marital union of a man and a woman, is the bedrock of society, the strength of our nations, and the hope of humanity. As the ultimate foundation of every civilization known to history, the family is the proven bulwark of liberty and the key to development, prosperity, and peace.”
It continues, “the family is also the fountain and cradle of new life, the natural refuge for children, and the first and foremost school to teach the values necessary for the well-being of children and society. The family truly is our link to the past and bridge to the future.”
Consequently, governments treacherous act of abolishing marriage as an exclusive union between a man and a woman takes a sledgehammer to the very foundations of society.
It is outrageous to redefine a bedrock institution that stood for thousands of years and served countless generations, simply to appease the irrational demands of a vocal minority.
The Church must lead civil-society’s rejection of this ill-conceived policy. Same-sex unions are already recognised by the State without the need to redefine man, woman marriage.
This marriage policy is not about equality. It is a tiny minority imposing its will on the majority.
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Date published: 11/07/2022
Feature image: Image for illustrative purposes only. Artwork adapted from unsplash.com
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