Hundreds of religious leaders meet to discuss unbiblical new SA marriage laws

I attended the “ in Johannesburg recently. Hosted by the Department of Home Affairs and attended by several hundred religious leaders from various faith groups, the event was was convened primarily to legitimise government’s claims they “consulted with all sectors of society” when they eventually abolish the Biblical ideal of marriage. I recall participating in a SA Law Reform Commission workshop in 2001 to discuss new marriage policies for South Africa. Six different “marriage formulas” were proposed. These included opposite and same-sex marriages, polygamous marriages, civil unions with opt-out clauses, and intergenerational marriages (adults marrying children). Government’s proposed single Marriage Act will presumably regulate “all forms or formulas of marriage” under one over arching piece of legislation. This leaves the door open for polyamorous marriages (group marriage) and anything else sexual rights radicals can conceive. Sexual rights activists also contend that the Biblical ideal of marriage is outdated and in conflict with the provisions of equality and human dignity afforded by the South African Constitution. The development of the single Marriage Act is evidence that government agrees with these claims.