Bill ‘not Attack On Family Life’ (Press, 25 March 1985)
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Summary: Bill ‘not Attack On Family Life’ (Press, 25 March 1985)
On 25 March 1985, the president of the Methodist Church, the Rev. Frank Hanson, spoke in favour of legislation aimed at decriminalising homosexual acts in private. During his statement, he asserted that this move should not be viewed as an attack on family life. He maintained that family life is a core element of Christian ideals and emphasised that strengthening marriage is a more effective means of enriching family life than preventing homosexual acts. Hanson expressed his personal support for the bill, which seeks to remove the criminal status of private homosexual actions. While he acknowledged that the question of morality surrounding these acts remains open for discussion, he argued that the legal framework should not classify such behaviours as criminal. He noted that although there are valid considerations regarding the appropriate age of consent—suggesting it might be more fitting to set this age at 18 rather than 16—the fundamental change in the law could still allow future amendments based on practical experiences. Overall, Hanson’s statements reflect a progressive stance within a religious context regarding issues of sexual orientation and personal conduct, advocating for a legal system that differentiates between criminality and morality.
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