Wednesday, 10th March 2010 - 15:40CET
Two thirds of Danes back gay Church weddings
Nearly two thirds of Danes support a call to allow gay and lesbian couples to be married by the Church, a poll showed Wednesday.
Denmark was the world's first country to allow a civil union for homosexuals, in 1989, but its parliament is now split over a move by the centre-left opposition to amend the law to allow religious weddings too.
The minister for religion Birthe Roenn Hornbech has urged lawmakers to think the question through in-depth before reaching any decision.
But according to a poll published by the Christian daily Kristelig Dagbladet on Wednesday, 63 percent of the Danish population would be happy to see gay couples married at the altar.
A quarter of respondents said they would oppose the move, while 12 percent gave no opinion, according to the Capacent Research poll of 1,304 people carried out of March 5.
Separately, the Berlingske Tidende daily found that six out of 10 bishops with the Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church would agree to see gay couples make their vows in Church.
Denmark's civil partnership, since emulated across much of the Western world, grants homosexual couples most of the same rights as heterosexuals but gay Christians have continued to lobby for the right to a Church marriage.
In 1997, Denmark's bishops agreed to a compromise allowing for civil unions to receive the blessing of the Church but omitting the key phrase "Will you take this man (woman) to be your husband (wife)" from the ceremony.
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Comments
A big congrats to the politicians of Denmark?? wow Mr Vella where has your Maltese heritage gone? Also remember, the church is NOT the building, it's the congregation. The believers in God. The church is the bride of Jesus for whom He will come soon to take away before the Rapture. Where has the Faith of the Maltese disappeared to? Is it the connection of Malta to the EU that made you lose your faith? However, the churches which (or I may say who?) decide to marry same sex in their churches are definitely not Christians. Gay bishops, gay priests, gay nuns and gay ministers? Maybe one day you'll have a gay pope. God forbid.
Joseph Aquilina, Ontario, CANADA
"There is nothing to gain here"
Correction: There is nothing for YOU to gain here. Is that why this is disgusting ?
@Mr Vella
"Ask that to GOD if you think you know better!!!!!!"
You assume to know the will of God? Or to speak in his name?
The church is NOT god, the church is built by men. If the people of denmark want their church to accept gay marriages then no religion or anyone should interfere even if everyone is entitled to their own personal opinion.
A big congrats to the politicians of Denmark actually. It's re-assuring to see politicians actually carry out the will of their people
I agree with you its' a Capital YUCK. It is disgusting and SICK. You may give them freedom but it is against God to allow them to get married to the same sex...YUCK again.
@Brian Farrugia,
I agree with you 100% you cannot be a true Christian and agree to Gay Marriage.
@J Pirotta,
That is not love, it is called LUST. And God already knows, you don't have to ask Him...He already told you it's wrong.
@W. Azzopardi,
Not only the Catholic church, but all Christian churches should NOT accept such a disgusting idea.
In such a horrible age when people and governments are trying to kick God out of everything and make their own rules is not accepted. God is listening and is watching you clergy, and everyone else.
Joseph Aquilina, Ontario, CANADA
.
Ask that to GOD if you think you know better!!!!!!
Gays and lesbians are in every country. Yours is the sort of discrimination that makes life so difficult for these people. You have no right to judge them. Being gay is not a hobby, its the love that makes them happy. I'm personally all for it. Give them the freedom they deserve being human just like us.