Same-sex Marriage in Churches Debate

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Same-sex Marriage in Churches

Craig Whittaker Excerpts
Monday 10th December 2012

(11 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Maria Miller Portrait Maria Miller
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My hon. Friend is right. Having been married for many years—many hon. Members will be aware of this as well—I know that marriage brings a stability to life and creates a loving place to bring up children. That is important to recognise, but we absolutely have to respect the rights of religious institutions to take a different view. As a sophisticated and mature society, we should be able to enter that debate with respect on both sides.

Craig Whittaker Portrait Craig Whittaker (Calder Valley) (Con)
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My right hon. Friend said that the views of people of faith should never be marginalised. Will she tell the House how she will square that with the 619,007 people who have signed the Coalition for Marriage petition, which calls for no change in the definition of marriage?