Staffordshire MP: 'Gay marriage will strengthen society'
Karen Bradley, Conservative MP for Staffordshire Moorlands, will risk criticism from some constituents and grassroots party members by voting to support gay marriage today. Here, she explains why...
THIS issue has filled my postbag for months and months. I have thought long and hard about it because it's not a decision I take easily.
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TOUGH CALL: MP Karen Bradley.
I really don't want people to feel that the world is going to end because of this, and I do believe a lot of the concerns that people have are unfounded.
Allowing same sex marriage will not affect most people, but it will make a huge difference to the people it does affect. Those people in same sex relationships who want to make this very special commitment to the ones they love will now be able to do that.
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I do understand the concerns, and I've heard arguments for and against, from inside and outside the party, from constituents and from across the political divide.
As long as institutions which do not want to conduct a marriage between two people are not being forced into it, I don't think it's my job to stop those who do want to from being able to.
My husband is a Catholic who agrees with the decision I am taking, and he has personally discussed this matter with priests and others.
A lot of people talk about marriage being ordained by God and I don't question that – I was married in a church myself. But 75 per cent of marriages are civil services where there is no mention of God.
All this bill does is allow those civil services to be the same whether you are gay or straight.
I spoke to one man who said he doesn't want to get down on one knee and ask his partner to enter a civil partnership – he wants to say 'will you marry me'. When people see things like that I think they will realise that this will actually strengthen marriage by extending it to so many more people who want to show their commitment and love for each other.
The bill will protect religions. There are some faiths which want to be able to take part in gay marriage, and to try to stop those which are happy to do so seems discriminatory. Those which don't want to will not have to.
The Church of England is separate as the established church and it will be up to other churches what they do – in the same way that they don't have to marry a divorcee or someone who doesn't practise their religion.
I don't believe there is any threat from human rights laws. I think this will strengthen religious organisations' position to legally make their own choice.
If a couple is told they can't get married in a church, they won't have a legal case because they can go down the road and get married somewhere else.
The debate will pass through the House of Lords where there are bishops and the Chief Rabbi. If they have concerns, they will be ironed out.
This is a free vote, and so despite all of the debate it has probably been easier for me, as a Government whip, than normally as I haven't had to try to persuade or influence anybody. The party whips have had no involvement, this will be a vote of conscience based on MPs' own beliefs or concerns
I think of those parents who have gay children who would be deprived of the opportunity of being mother of the bride or groom who will now get that opportunity, and I think it's fantastic.
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by Backdoored
Monday, February 11 2013, 7:55PM
“And most importantly, which I failed to add.... If you had any genuine Christian Values, you would have addressed your error in confusing me with FFDP1 -and offered an apology.... it doesn't come much more offensive than that -Especially when you compounded the offence by bringing in my family willy nilly.... Slimeball.
How dare you! You heathen -posing as a committed christian -The Devil's in your soul....”
by Backdoored
Monday, February 11 2013, 7:43PM
“"dougalchristian" Ed
discussion......No (refused to answer questions -while insisting I answered his.
Argument......None (doesn't understand the meaning of the word -complete lack of logic)
Creepy Christian... usual 'head in the sand' Mummy's boy... hence, incapable of entering the real world. Heavy Duty Apron Strings -tied by Heavy Duty Christian Mother.... -dancing in her Grave.
Not - "over and out" -but, as a caring Humanist ... here for you in your hour of need. (I knew you'd be back -and I know you've come back -from your hollow sounding 'over and out' -to see my response. Irresistible aren't I. Give my love to your lucky family.
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by dougalcross
Monday, February 11 2013, 1:46PM
“Backdoor Ed
discussion...................Yes
Argument....................Yes
Bilious, impertinent offensiveness.............No
Hence, over and out”
by Backdoored
Saturday, February 09 2013, 2:41PM
“dougal the kristian, -So long as you continue to play the 'stubborn bigotted christian' -and refuse to apologise for your wrongful accusation -or give a suitable explanation and adddress the issues re the mistaken identity -IT BEING FFDP1 who you should have 'ponted your finger at'... I will mention your parents as often as I think appropriate.
And it was appropriate to do so, as it was you (again you have a short memory) -who brought my own parents into the exchange in an earlier comment, making it fitting to reflect on your parents.
Quote -"And have you been baptised or married in a church? And will your relatives hold a church memorial for you?" -Unquote.
You see dougal lad, it is your pompous biggotted christian 'sense of superiority' which blinds you from your own sins.
I didn't get 'all superior' with you for bringing in my relatives as you have. My parents, like yours, carried me to the church to be 'splashed with a drop of Severn Trent Water' -Or, SPWB h2o, as it would have been at that time.
As you quite rightly inferred, what we believe, how we stand on things, is to a greater or larger extent down to what path our parents set us on from a very early age. All, if not the vast majority of parents have a natural desire to 'influence' us -especially where religion is concerned.
My mother in particular was a devoted christian -did her 'turning in the Grave' long before she was put there. I 'knocked it all in the head' in my early 20s. She was very saddened and dismayed that her 'good intentions had fallen on stoney ground' when I decided to be faithful and honest to my own conscience -not be a hippocrite, as many so-called 'believers' are (and I put you in that bracket).
I happen to think that it is more important to follow your own conscience, especially where religion is concerned, than it is to please your parents -in what would have meant doing in a 'underhancd' way... Lying to them. Lying to 'god' -or if you prefer, 'acting' as a christian' -while at the same time 'holding him/she/it, in contempt.
Now of course, since being 'out in the open' -I can and do treat 'it' with contempt -as I do the pope -and anyone else who claims to be a christian -while behaving, as you do, in such a disingenuous way -totally unchristian.
Mind you, the way the church as gone of late -they'll have anybody in. And I'm sure your parents will be very disappointed with the way you have finished up -be they either in the Graave or still knocking about and suffering how you've turned out. You are a fraud and a hypocrite sir.
FFDP1 -the man who started it all. Not me. Not guilty. Confess your sins. Apologise. Redeem your rotten soul... before the bell tolls.
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by dougalcross
Saturday, February 09 2013, 12:25PM
“Against my better judgment, I read your latest mental meander which is simply repetitious rubbish. But you make the mistake of referring to my parents, so I must respond.
What my parents would or would not think is not your business, and I will thank you not to refer to them again.”
by Backdoored
Saturday, February 09 2013, 1:16AM
“by dougalcross
Saturday, February 09 2013, 12:43AM
"@Backdoored: And still you blether on! But I'm sure your pals enjoy your nonsense". unquote.
Call it a 'rant', say I'm 'blethering on' -TRY ANY DISTRACTION YOU CAN FIND, but my friends, and everyone else can see that these remarks of yours are purely there in a vain attempt to 'hide'.. from the thing that puts the fear of god into you.... And that is...the fear of my simple question.
I konw you read it -gave you the creeps eh. It won't go away... it'll come to haunt you. Guilt will eventually catch up with you dougal .... reminding you that you are in denial. Not the christian you always thought you were -but an imposter, trying to cheat your way into god's kingdom of heaven. Not one of his flock -but a close associate of the devil -in disguise.
I better your dear parents are turning in their Grave at the thought of how you've turned out -a cheat, and after all the good work they put into saving your soul. Answer the question sinner man. Make peace with your maker -befoer another one of those 'big bangs' hits us.
Admit to me and all your friends that you made a bad error of judgement -it was FFDP1 wasn't it..... not me. But the real question on everyone's lips is.... Why did you stick it on me? Any ideas FFDP1 ?”
by dougalcross
Saturday, February 09 2013, 12:43AM
“@Backdoored: And still you blether on! But I'm sure your pals enjoy your nonsense.
@ Johntoe: The tumult and the shouting dies. The battle lost, etc. Now I can tell you. I'm certainly not anti-hom*sexual. Let me tell you a sad( in my opinion) story. I was having a pint with a hom*sexual friend after our shift at a charity function. I mentioned that the worst part of hom*sexual life was, I thought, the constant threat of assault and insult. My friend thought for a moment, then replied, "No, the worst part is the difficulty in meeting people, making new friends
and being on guard against committing social errors" Doesn't that make you want to weep with frustration against life's vicissitudes?”
by Backdoored
Friday, February 08 2013, 11:23PM
“In regard to 'other' religions -I hold them in the same light. All of them... that is, all of them that have a 'god' figure, or call it (he/she) Allah... call it anything you want -doesn't matter to me one iota, I simply can't go along with this concept.
The supernatural should be left to the horror movies -or books to spook you -if that's your bag; not mine I have to say.
Was I baptised? Do you mean did I have some Severn Trent water splashed over my head -without the means to knock out whoever did it? I don't get what's behind your question. Try to expand a little... and unlike you, (a christian), I'll do my best to answer it (as atheists do) -We're very obliging.”
by Backdoored
Friday, February 08 2013, 11:12PM
“by dougal.. -" But tell me, if you are a real atheist, why is it that you only seem to attack Christianity". -unquote.
'seem to attack'..... That' the key to your problem lad. You are so wrapped up in your religion and yourself that you refuse to read or remember that I did not mention christianity -UNTIL you came on strong making false accusations -that I did.
And when I then defended myself and pointed you to the error of your ways, you dug in even deeper -Repeatedly refusing to answer my question, while at the same time expecting me to answer a million of yours.
My question is simple -WHY DO YOU INSIST ON SAYING THAT I ALTERED THE THREAD from its original topic to being one that is 'anti-christian' -when it is plainly evident tht I didn't. I'll say it again... IT WAS FFDP1. I know you'll find this difficult but here it is again.... (two days befor I made a comment on christianity ...and that, brought about origiginally by this....
by FFDP1
Tuesday, February 5 2013, 11:44PM -"Most Christians are control freaks." -unquote.
There, you've read it. It wasnt that painful was it? Now just go that one step further -not easy I know, and say 'SORRY BACKDOORED'. Go on, do yourself one hell of a big favour. REPENT.
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Do you get along easily with Hinduism, Buddhism, Shinto, Islam, animism and the rest.
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by Backdoored
Friday, February 08 2013, 10:59PM
“"And I'm certainly not tracing back-quotes" -dougal.
I've not asked you to 'trace' back quotes dougal lad... I've copied then up for you, at least twice... But you won't read them. Or you do, but seeing that they damn your claims against me, you choose to pretend that you haven't seen them.
Is it really that hared for you to face the truth? I've done it for you here once more. Here you go... just read it.... and then get back to me:-
by FFDP1
Tuesday, February 5 2013, 11:44PM -"Most Christians are control freaks." -unquote.
by FFDP1 by FFDP1 by FFDP1 whose post your refuse to acknowledge as 'changing the thread to an 'anti-christian' one ....NOT ME.
You're living a lie sunshine -until you admit your wrongdoing. I thought christians were supposed to be good at saying sorry?
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