Church of Scotland Approves Same-Sex Marriage

The world is gradually buying into the LGBTQ+ agenda. It is sweeping over major churches in the UK and around the world. The ministers of the Church of Scotland have debated the legalization of same-sex marriage for a very long time. They are now permitted to officiate same-sex marriages if they choose.

Has The Church Of Scotland Approved Same-Sex Marriage?

Yes, the church of Scotland has finally approved same-sex marriage on Monday 23, May 2022 by a 274-136 vote.

The Church has been divided into two groups; that is those who oppose this move and those who support it. The voting has been in favor of those who support the act of gay marriage.

The church’s General Assembly approved an overture that allows interested parish ministers and deacons to apply for authorization to marry same-sex couples. It passed on Monday by a 274-136 vote.

The Church of Scotland is known to be the largest Protestant church in the country. Although, statistics show that there has been a decline in membership yet it boasts of members ten times any Protestant Church in the country.

Since the church of Scotland (Kirk) started advocating for same-sex relationships in 2009, it has now been approved.

The country itself legalized civil partnerships for same-sex couples in 2005 and marriage in 2014. The church is yet to see same-sex ceremonies performed for interested members.

It seems to be a long battle for the LGBTQ+ supporters in the church. They feel relieved now. However, there is going to be a clear difference among members just like what happened in the Methodist Church in Britain last year. There is the fear that this new step will put pressure on pastors who oppose same-sex marriage.

Ben Thorpe, a minister at Sandyford Henderson Memorial Church in Glasgow told The Independent:

“When asked, ‘Can you marry us?’, the answer will have to be, ‘No, because I choose not to,’ rather than, ‘No, that’s something that I cannot do.’”

The moderator of the Church of Scotland General Assembly, Iain Greenshields, has spoken about this new move by hanging the responsibility of peace on the necks of the same-sex marriage supporters. Iain Greenshields wants the diversity of beliefs to co-exist in the church in a peaceful manner.

He said:

“All celebrants would be expected to take account of the peace and unity and pastoral needs of the congregation and any parish or other grouping of which it is a part while considering to conduct a same-sex marriage ceremony.”

While many are in celebration of same-sex marriage in the Church of Scotland, others have bemoaned the move that it contradicts marriage in the Bible.

Nigel Kenny Speaks Against The Church’s Approval Of Same-Sex

Nigel Kenny, the Scotland officer for the UK-based Christian Institute is one outspoken person who has criticized the Church of Scotland’s move away from defining marriage as between a man and woman.

“This is a very sad development in the life of the National Kirk, which has in its constitution a commitment to the Bible as the supreme authority in all matters of faith and practice.”

It is very sad for Christians to witness gay marriages bring divisions in the church. Those who have vowed to use Biblical principles to deal with relationships and marriages are motivated by what the Bible truly says.

There is nowhere in the Bible that condones same-sex marriage. Unfortunately, our churches are approving this act. God said that judgment will begin in the Church.

“For it is time for judgment to begin, starting with the house of God. And if it starts with us, what will be the fate of those who are disobedient to the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17)

In the Book of Romans 1:18 – 32, God demonstrated his anger against sins such as homosexuality.

In verse 27, it reads:

“And likewise the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed in their passions for one another. Men committed shameless acts with men and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.”

Christians could perceive this signal as part of the end-time events prophesied in the Bible. These agendas are often pushed on other minor churches to accept them in good faith. This is surely provoking God to unleash his anger on respective individuals.