Is Marriage Still Worthy Of Protection By The State, The Church & Society?!

Written by: Errol Naidoo
Article source: familypolicyinstitute.com

As I conduct research for Family Policy Institute’s (FPI) submission to the South African Law Reform Commission (SALRC) on the proposed, “Single Marriage Statute,” I am again reminded how critical marriage is for the development of a caring, stable, and prosperous society. As a result, the proposed redefinition of marriage as a “union of two people regardless of sex, sexual orientation or gender identity” will have immeasurable consequences for not only men, women and children but for society in general.

I reiterate my appeal to Church and civil society leaders, Christian denominations, Churches, organizations and responsible citizens to draft a submission to the SALRC by 31 March 2021. You can download the “Single Marriage Statute” Discussion Paper here. It is a lengthy document but the Executive Summary – which is concise – provides a reasonable overview.

Your submission need not be lengthy. But it is vital your voice is heard on the extremely important topic of marriage integrity. Please send your submission to Mr. Pierre Van Wyk at pvanwyk@justice.gov.za by deadline 31 March 2021.

Marriage has always been a social good for all cultures and recognised as a union between a man and woman for millennia. What makes “marriage a public good for all cultures is its link to children’s welfare. Only marriage between a man and woman is deepened by procreation and calls for that broad sharing of domestic life uniquely fit for family life.” Research overwhelmingly shows children fare best on every social indicator in a family where both married biological parents are present.

“Every society rely on families built on strong marriages to produce what they need but cannot secure: healthy, upright children who become conscientious citizens. As they mature, children benefit from the love and care of both mother and father, and from their parents’ committed and exclusive love for each other.”

Same-sex unions already enjoy the same legal recognition and protection as marriage under the “Civil Union Act.” Evidently, this is not the purpose of the “Single Marriage Statute.” The South African government seeks to redefine an ancient and irreplaceable social institution to specifically provide the relatively recent phenomena  of same-sex and transgender relationships – equal social status with marriage.

Significantly, government is able to rationalise the country’s marriage laws to provide legal recognition and protection for citizens in “protected relationships,” polygamous marriages and other forms of civil unions (be they same-sex or opposite sex), without redefining marriage. But I fear the proposed “Single Marriage Statute” is a smokescreen to achieve this socially destructive agenda – demanded by sexual rights groups.

Home Affairs Minister, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi reportedly met with UN agencies, Chapter 9 Institutions and sexual rights groups before announcing governments intention to “rationalise South Africa’s marriage laws.” However, a UN Declaration states, “The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and entitled to protection from government and society.”  Significantly, no UN declaration or resolution recognises same-sex unions.

There are several reasons why the state’s redefinition of marriage will be devastating for social cohesion and stability and economic prosperity. Chief among these are, when marriage is diminished in public policy and people no longer recognise its true purpose, marriage and the family ultimately fail. When marriage and the family fail, the society it underpins crumbles.

Redefining marriage, therefore, is destructive to all people regardless of religion, belief, culture or indeed sexual preference or gender identity. It is a public good within itself.

What we are dealing with here is the very foundations of human civilization. The sexual complementarity of a man and woman in marriage is essential for the propagation of the human race. “Marriage is the only union inherently ordered to procreation and thus the broad sharing of family life; and calling for permanent and exclusive commitment.”

Protecting the unique nature of marriage in law in no way denies or undermine same-sex unions. Significantly, however, equating marriage with relationships that are not marriage and cannot by its nature fulfill the conjugal obligations necessary for family life – undermines the very foundations of society.

Please make a prayerful commitment to make your voice heard on the vital topic of marriage.

In addition, we produced three information videos on the “”Smart Choices” values-based sexuality education curriculum. Please help us share the first video, “Why is Smart Choices so important?” via your social media platforms. Video 2 and 3 will be posted on FPI’s Facebook page later. You can like the Family Policy Institute page here for updated info.

NB: Quotes in inverted commas are taken from the book, “What Is Marriage” – Man and Woman: A Defense – by Sherif Girgis, Ryan T. Anderson, and Robert P. George.

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Date published: 02/02/2021
Feature image: Image for illustrative purposes only. unsplash.com

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