INDEPENDENT NEWS

Civil Union Bills redefine marriage

Published: Thu 17 Jun 2004 12:49 AM
Civil Union Bills redefine marriage
Government social engineering will reach new heights with the introduction of the two Civil Union Bills next week, says Maxim Institute Managing Director, Greg Fleming.
"Marriage is the basic building block of society and the best environment in which to raise children. But Civil Union legislation will treat all relationships the same, systematically gutting our statute books of any distinct recognition of marriage."
"Introduction of these Bills is an arrogant rejection of the unique and special public benefits of marriage," says Fleming.
"Thinking New Zealanders instinctively know that homosexual, de facto and marriage relationships are not the same, yet the government is determined to eliminate any difference between them in law."
Mr Fleming says the Civil Union Bills provide for homosexual marriage in all but name. "De facto couples can already get married in a civil ceremony, so despite the smokescreen this is all about homosexual couples being given the same status and entitlements as marriage.
Extending the privileges and responsibilities of marriage to same-sex couples redefines marriage - making marriage meaningless.
"The agenda to level all relationship in law is being driven by a small activist minority. There is no public mandate for this legislation. Massive changes in law to serve the interests of a few will be to the detriment of marriage, children and society as a whole," says Greg Fleming.
With all the increasing pressures on family in New Zealand, our law should instead support and prefer the institution of marriage.
"What will become of families and society if Parliament takes a sledgehammer to marriage? This dangerous experiment gambles with our children's future by redefining what they will learn about marriage and parenthood," says Fleming.

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