muslim council condemns gay-marriage judgement

Source: Mail & Guardian online

December 2, 2005: The Constitutional Court judgement on same-sex marriages is a step backward that will have serious repercussions on the moral and social fabric of society, the Council of Muslim Theologians said on Friday.

"It is ironic that the December 1 judgement of the Constitutional Court recognising same-sex marriages coincides with World Aids Awareness Day -- a day that bears testimony to the scourge of sexual promiscuity," said a statement from the council's KwaZulu-Natal branch.

"Same-sex marriages are a violation of the limits prescribed by the Almighty, a reversal of the natural order, a moral disorder and a crime against humanity.

"No person is born homosexual, just like no one is born a thief, a liar or murderer. People acquire these evil habits because of widespread nude and shameless social interaction."

Homosexuality deprives a man of his manhood and a woman of her womanhood and leads to the destruction of family life.

"The Jamiatul Ulama (KwaZulu-Natal) views the judgement as a step backward which will have serious repercussions on the moral and social fabric of society."

Earlier, the Marriage Alliance of South Africa welcomed the ruling that Parliament change the Marriage Act within a year to allow same-sex marriages.

"We endorse and support the court's referral of the matter to Parliament and thereby placing the final responsibility for the outcome on civil society and the people of South Africa."

The alliance's Reverend Moss Nthla said: "The court has wisely taken the debate away from the lofty heights of a Eurocentric, academic and legal platform to the elected representatives of the people of South Africa.

"Hopefully the HSRC [Human Sciences Research Council] survey which reflects that 80% of the people in South Africa oppose same-sex marriage will have an effect on the conclusions of Parliament in this debate."

The court also ordered that if the necessary change is not done within a year, the words "or spouse" should be added to the relevant section of the Marriage Act to take away the restriction that a marriage is only between a man and a woman.

The judgement has received a mixed reaction of joy from gay groups, but outrage from religious groups and some political parties.

People at the judgement were also disappointed that they have to wait another year before they can marry. -- Sapa