Urgent
Religious Freedom Under Threat
Constitutional Rights
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
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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
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