Australia will take this issue to referendum after the next election. I have no doubt that it will pass. At least what ever backlash entails, it will be known the decision came down to what the Australian public wanted by majority. After all this is a democratic country and our laws should reflect the people.
Now as for the notion that Pastors will be next on the list to be forced to go against their religious beliefs, I just don't see that happening. I also sincerely hope that it doesn't.
I am no expert on US law, but I have looked into the legal ramifications and what precedents there are for thinking that the new the marriage equality act will impact churches and pastors in this way.
Religious freedoms under the U.S. Constitution allows churches to set rules for membership and practices. They are protected under the First Amendment, giving Pastors freedom to marry who they choose.
This right has been exercised with the Catholic Church refusing to marry any divorcee unless the marriage has been unulled by the church, some churches and pastors refuse to marry divorcees at all, While this is uncommon, it is within their rights to do so. Quite shockingly when I looked into this there are churches and pastors that refuse to marry interracial couples.
It is within their legal right to do so, under the First Amendment.
So if there are pastors across the U.S. who legally refuse to marry couples based on their beliefs without legal ramifications then why would it be any different in homosexual cases.
It has been legal to marry the same sex in some states in the U.S. for some time, and there has been no precedent set where a pastor has been criminally charged for refusal to marry gays. I found 1 case in Idaho where the church was renting out the chapel as a business, and they refused to allow a gay marriage to take place but when they made the decision to run their Chapel as a business and not solely a place of worship they were accountable under different law.
We need to remember that whilst many Christians feel very strongly that gay marriage goes against their religious beliefs the motivating factor for homosexuals both here and in the U.S. to seek out marriage equality is not to peeve off the Church. They didn't get together and think now how we are we going to cause controversy and anger within the Christian community.
Their motivation is love. Followed by the legal safeguards for long term couples who are buying property, businesses and raising children. But the biggest motivating factor is love. We can argue that this love is unnatural and goes against God but that is not the point I'm trying to make, which is what is motivating the marriage equality debate on the side of gay people.
I have family members and friends who are gay. Some of them in long term relationships and also raising children.
They want to get married for the same you reason you or I would want too, they are inlove.
The reason I am bringing this up is because of this idea that is being so strongly pushed within the church that pastors will be forced to marry gay couples.
Have you asked yourself, why would a couple who is getting married in front of family and friends, as an expression of their love chose to go to a church and demand a pastor to marry them who thinks that their union and love is an abomination to God.
They wouldn't.
They want to enjoy their day and have a positive memory to look back on.
This idea that pastors will be forced to be start marrying all these gay couples just doesn't make logical sense.
Unless one has brought into the idea that these people are church hating, vindictive people who would sacrifice the pleasure of their day of marraige to stick it up the church.
The are not the enemy that they have been made out to be.
I have personally spoken to people and read accounts of homosexuals who all say that all they wanted was the right to get married. They would never turn around and strip the church of their rights and take away their religious freedom. You live your life how you chose and allow us to do the same.
Only time will tell how this plays out.
I don't think Pastors will be forced to marry homosexuals. They certainly shouldn't be. And most gay people would actually agree.