Concerns with the Marriage Bill [B43–2023]

Executive Summary

What's Happening

The Marriage Bill [B43–2023] aims to consolidate various unions into a single marriage law. This approach conflicts with the biblical definition of marriage as a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman, and disregards South Africa's diversity where separate arrangements have historically existed.

Why It Matters

The Marriage Bill proposes a single framework recognising multiple forms of unions as 'marriages', contradicting the biblical definition and risking further erosion of marriage and family.

What's at Stake

Conflating distinct unions under one 'marriage' label undermines societal understanding of marriage. Potential weakening of family stability and social cohesion

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Issue Context

Our Faith Position

Our commitment to biblical truth guides our stance on this issue. We believe Scripture provides clear direction for how Christians should respond to matters of faith, freedom, and governance.

Key Scripture References

Biblical foundations that inform our position

"Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."

Genesis 2:24

"Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, 'Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate."

Matthew 19:4-6

"Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband."

Ephesians 5:31-33

Additional references

Theological Foundation

Understanding the biblical principles behind our stance

Core Biblical Principles

Divine Design: Marriage is a covenant instituted by God at creation between one man and one woman for life
Created Order: God's design for marriage reflects His relationship with the Church and provides the foundation for family and society
Faithful Witness: Christians must uphold biblical truth about marriage, even when cultural or legal pressures seek to redefine it

Scripture teaches that marriage is a covenant instituted by God between one man and one woman for life. This design reflects the union between Christ and His Church and provides the foundation for family and society. Attempts to redefine marriage, or to collapse diverse unions into a single legal category, obscure this God-given design and erode the honor due to marriage.

Historical Precedent

Throughout history, faithful Christians have defended the biblical definition of marriage against attempts to redefine or undermine it. When Roman emperors normalized various forms of sexual immorality and alternative relationships, the early church maintained the biblical standard of marriage as a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman. During the Reformation, reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin defended marriage against both Catholic distortions and emerging secular challenges. In more recent times, Christians have consistently upheld marriage's definition in the face of cultural pressure, recognizing that marriage is not a human invention subject to redefinition, but a divine institution established at creation. Our commitment to biblical marriage reflects the same faithfulness demonstrated by believers across the centuries who refused to compromise God's design for human relationships.

Case Against This Proposal

A summary of our objections, suggested actions, and a constructive alternative approach.

Key Arguments

Uniform 'marriage' label for different unions offends biblical definition
Not discriminatory to maintain distinct legal arrangements reflecting diversity
Extending polygamy beyond customary law would be unacceptable
Civil unions should remain regulated under their own Act
Absolute ban on under-18 marriages without narrow exceptions may increase family breakdown, state dependence, and abortions

Recommended Actions

Submit written objections to the Portfolio Committee
Engage elected representatives respectfully but firmly
Advocate for amending existing Acts rather than consolidating into one Bill
Promote policies that protect and strengthen marriage and family

Alternative Solution

Retain separate frameworks for different unions (e.g., Recognition of Customary Marriages Act; Civil Union Act) and amend those Acts as needed rather than redefining 'marriage' in a single Bill.

Status:ProposedAvailability:Legislative amendments via existing Acts

Issue Updates

Stay informed with the latest developments on this issue.

19 January 2026

Petition Progress and Parliamentary Deliberations

Thank you, our petition against the Marriage Bill has 76 signatures so far! Nationwide public hearings have taken place on the Bill, but there is no indication that the Bill will be dropped or changed. The parliamentary committee will deliberate on the Bill soon, and we intend to submit our petition to the committee in time.

Our objection to the Bill remains - it recognises all unions as marriage, which redefines marriage in a way that is in conflict with the Biblical definition of marriage as a life-long union of a man and a woman. The Bill also opens polygamy up to all, another deviation from the Biblical standard.

Please join us in our quest to protect marriage as intended by God. There is still time for you to sign our petition before we submit it to Parliament.

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