Ordained minister of religion, Reverend Sharon Ferguson, has today responded to Lord Carey's public objection of same-sex marriage.
The 52 year-old, who is chief executive of
the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement and also a key activist in Peter Tatchell's Equal Love campaign, was speaking in response to Carey's comments that Prime Minister David Cameron is wrong to support gay and lesbian marriage.
Speaking exclusively to PinkPaper.com, Ferguson said: "I think it is sad that Lord Carey continues to spout the same old tired rhetoric which has no basis in fact or reality.
The fact is that the polls clearly show that the majority of the general public – which includes people of faith – have no problem with people of the same gender being able to get married."
She also added that, contrary to fears that it would destroy the institution of marriage, same-sex unions could revive it.
"Allowing all people to get married regardless of their sexuality will reinforce the institution rather than undermine it.
"The reality is that fewer heterosexual couples are committing themselves in marriage, divorce is still on the increase and far too often we here about sham marriages, marriages of convenience and celebrity marriages that last less than a week. Surely it is the lack of lifelong, faithful commitment within marriage that is and will continue to undermine it."
Ferguson, whose partner is corporate trainer Franka Strietzel, added that the denial of equal laws means that her religion and faith are personally compromised.
"What angers me even more is that the government is only talking about allowing civil marriage and not religious solemnisation of marriage so it doesn't actually impinge on the traditions of the Church of England as they won't be expected to be involved.
This takes away my religious liberty on two fronts: 1) as a person of faith I won't be able to have my marriage solemnised and 2) as a Pastor I won't be able to solemnise the marriages of my congregation which is largely lgbt.
"The reality is also that marriage between one man and one woman is not a biblical tradition but a much later social construct. Legal marriage as we know it is relatively new and Biblical tradition includes polygamy, concubinage and levirate marriage. In fact, the idea of having only one wife was so controversial that St. Paul had to strongly recommend it for those becoming Elders in the early Church.
"Same sex unions have been recognised and recorded as taking place in churches with established and approved liturgies right up to the 18th century.
"Being allowed to get married is an equality issue because people are being denied something that is enshrined as a fundamental right purely based on the gender of the person they love. Equality is about everyone having the same choices. Consequently we should all be able to choose for ourselves if we wish to have a civil marriage, a religious marriage or a civil partnership. The governments role is simply to make this possible.
However, it is also much more than an equality issue for me as it is about being able to celebrate and make the biggest commitment of my life in a covenantal relationship with my partner and God. For me, contracts are for business, my relationship with my partner is not based on a contract but on the same covenantal promise that God made with all humanity. Marriage is supposed to emulate that relationship, the unconditional love and 'hesed' loyalty that we receive from God.
"I welcomed Civil Partnerships as it provided the much needed legal protection for lesbian and gay couples. I will welcome civil marriage as it will be another step towards full equality. But I will not stop campaigning until we have full equality regarding marriage and I have my rights as both a Christian and a lesbian recognised."
