Evangelical Alliance Ireland endorses Civil Partnership Bill

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Now this is what authentic Christianity looks like. Evangelical Alliance Ireland, "a movement of individuals, churches, organisations from within all streams of evangelicalism in Ireland", has released a statement (.pdf) endorsing the Civil Partnership Bill 2009 now before the Irish government. The EAI's take on the bill is both pragmatic and pastoral. Emphasis mine.

The Bill does not directly challenge the traditional understanding of marriage in Ireland. It is a piece of civil legislation that establishes a new form of civil relationship under the law. The Bill does not deal with religious matters.

We suggest that evangelical Christians should support the basic thrust of the Bill. The Government is seeking to legislate for greater justice and fairness for co-habiting couples, both same-sex and opposite-sex couples. As Christians we should support that stance. Co-habiting couples are a reality -- this legislation seeks to deal with that reality fro a legal perspective. We may disagree on the detail of the legislation but as followers of a just and compassionate God we can recognize the justice and fairness of providing some legal protection for the reality of both same-sex and opposite-sex cohabitating relationships. ...

The Christian Scriptures make it clear that God's purpose for his gift of sex is that it would be the ultimate physical expression of love between a man and a woman in the context of the covenant of marriage. However, the Gospel requires of us that we show grace to those who fundamentally disagree with our convictions and who do not shape their lives according to what we believe is good for them. Jesus requires of his followers that they love and do good to those who oppose them or who hold to different ethical standards than they do. ...

The EAI anticipated a negative reaction from those who want to keep "evangelical" and "reality-based" in separate universes. Some of their preemptive remarks to their critics are below the fold.

http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/14437/evangelical-alliance-ireland-endorses-civil-partnership-bill