'We stand in total opposition to the Christian Lobby': Melbourne church wants to marry same-sex couples
A Melbourne minister wants his church to be the first in Australia to legally marry a same-sex couple.
In a Facebook post that has attracted almost 10,000 likes, St Michael's Uniting Church Reverend Ric Holland says it is in the teachings of Jesus to champion equality and stand up for the marginalised.
"A large rainbow sign has been placed on the Collins Street side of St Michael’s Uniting Church in a show of support for Marriage Equality," the post reads.
"Marriage equality is important as it is simply natural justice for all people to be treated equally. The Church in Australia should be standing up for this human right loud and clear," Reverend Holland wrote.
Reverend Holland said he wants his church to be the first to marry a same-sex couple. Source: Facebook
“We stand in total opposition to the so-called Christian Lobby."
"St Michael’s is an inclusive congregation, accepting and welcoming people of all faiths, cultures, and sexuality."
His comments follows the final day people had to make sure they were enrolled to vote ahead of the controversial same-sex marriage postal vote.
Under the government's plans, costing $122 million, ballots will be sent out by the Australian Bureau of Statistics from September 12, with the outcome of the voluntary vote announced in mid-November.
If a majority of Australians vote "yes", the government would hold a free vote in parliament on the issue, with MPs not bound by party policy or the postal ballot's result.
Reverend Holland said marriage equality is important. Source: Facebook
Reverend Holland said he is encouraging those attending St Michael’s Sunday Service to be “a loud voice in the field of social justice, which includes in no small part marriage equality”.
“I want St Michael’s to be the first church to legally marry same-sex couples in Australia. Marriage equality is important as it is simply natural justice for all people to be treated equally," he said.
"The Church in Australia should be standing up for this human right loud and clear.”
Some supporters have argued the public same-sex ballot should be boycotted as it would open the door to hate speech against the LGBTI community.
