'Scotland for Marriage' Rally at Holyrood
Cardinal Keith O’Brien, former SNP leader Gordon Wilson, and Ann Allen of the Church of Scotland will be the keynote speakers at a pro-marriage rally outside the Scottish Parliament to launch a new pro-marriage coalition.
 An event in Edinburgh on Wedneday 30 Nov. will mark the launch of a new campaign group, Scotland for Marriage, which exists to support the current legal definition of marriage and resist all plans to redefine it. The initiative is supported by church groups, but is non-religious and open to all who support its aims and objectives.
A gathering of marriage supporters is scheduled to meet from 10.30am with speeches from the three keynote speakers beginning at 11.00am and ending at 11.30am.
The three keynote speakers will sign a petition, calling for a referendum on the issue and expressing concerns about the wider implications of redefining marriage.
Half-page notices have been published in three national newspapers today (Wed 30) in the Daily Record, The Herald and The Scotsman. The ads announce the launch of Scotland for Marriage and encourage the public to sign the Marriage Petition.
The Roman Catholic Church plans to deliver around 20,000 postcards in 20 sacks of 1,000 to the Scottish Parliament. The postcards have been signed by people in Scotland who don’t want marriage to be redefined. Speaking for the Catholic Church in Scotland, Cardinal Keith O’Brien said:
“As an institution, marriage long predates the existence of any state or government. It was not created by government and should not be changed by them. Instead, recognising the innumerable benefits which marriage brings to society they should act to protect and uphold it not attack or dismantle it.
At the heart of this debate however there is one perspective which seems to be completely lost or ignored, it is the point of view of the child. All children deserve to begin life with a mother and father, the evidence in favour of the stability and well being which this provides is overwhelming and unequivocal.”
A poster van advertising the launch of Scotland for Marriage and the website, will drive on the streets surrounding the Scottish Parliament until midday. It will then drive around a route of central Edinburgh, past St Andrews House, for the rest of the day.
Former SNP leader Gordon Wilson states:
“If the Scottish Government wants the Scottish people to vote for independence in a referendum, why is it going out of its way to alienate so many Scots in the Christian and Muslim communities? As a veteran, it is obvious to me the Government is in a political hole. My advice is simple. Forget about the ‘done deal’ with the Tory/Liberal coalition in London. They are not on your side. Scotland is not London. As you will find, Scotland is for marriage!”
The new Scotland for Marrriage web site states that the co-operation between the various groups is over one clear issue – opposition to redefining marriage. "It is not a venture in religious unity, indeed Scotland for Marriage is backed by both religious and non-religious groups. It is an expression of the breadth of concern within Scottish society."
Ann Allen, who is a former Convener of the Church of Scotland's Board of Social Responsibility, said:
“I’m confused as to why with so many pressing issues confronting us today in Scotland, our government has chosen to prioritise time, effort, and money on this particular issue. Canada legalised same sex marriage in 2005 and today faces challenges to have polygamy legalised. Is this what we want for a modern Scotland: a continual changing of moral and legal goalposts?
"As a former teacher I am concerned that children are going to be taught that same sex partnerships and traditional marriage are the same, which they are not. If the redefining of marriage goes ahead it will have far reaching consequences and as far as I can see none of them are positive.”
The Christian Institute is also supporting the event and has published an information flier which endorses the rally. Other groups supporting the broad-based campaign are CARE for Scotland, the Evangelical Alliance, the Family Education Trust and Destiny Churches Scotland. There is nothing to indicate that Mrs. Ann Allen is speaking for the Church of Scotland which has thus far remained silent on the issue.
Footnote: In the providence of God a major 'St. Andrew's Day' prayer meeting was organised some weeks ago. It is scheduled to take place in the Canongate Kirk, 154 Canongate, the Royal Mile, Edinburgh.
"Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting...so rend your heart...return to the
LORD your God...blow the trumpet in Zion, consecrate a fast...assemble the elders"
"This gathering builds on the “Big IF” leaders’ gatherings in late 2009, which were called jointly by
the Evangelical Alliance, Alpha, CARE and Pray for Scotland. These gatherings led to the “Big IF”
continuous year of prayer in 2010, where many individuals and churches rose to the challenge of
prayer based on 2 Chronicles 7:14.
However, we believe that this was a start, and not the end.
We believe that it is time for us, as leaders in this nation, to humble ourselves, pray, seek God’s face
and turn to Him with all our hearts. As such we are calling this wider leaders’ gathering to pray,
fast and seek the Lord together at this challenging and important time in the life of our church and
nation, in accordance with Joel 2"
For full information, click on image
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