Christian Concern-Queen gives Royal Assent to same sex marriage Bill:

Within both Houses of Parliament yesterday, it's been announced that HM The Queen has given royal assent to the same sex marriage Bill. This was a formality after the Bill completed its passage through Parliament.

Royal Assent was the final step to the Bill becoming law. It is now the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013. The first same sex weddings are likely to take place sometime in 2014.

This is a very sad moment for our nation, and cause for lament. It marks a very clear departure from God's good pattern for human flourishing.

As God's people we should also repent for where we have failed to stand for and believe in God's truth.

But we know that there is hope both for us and for our nation in the Gospel. That's why we will continue to speak of Jesus Christ in public life and encourage you to do the same.

There are a few simple actions you can take now to continue this witness.

1. Write

Prime Minister David Cameron, by pushing this Bill, has put HM the Queen in a compromising position.

In the Coronation Oath, Her Majesty promised to "maintain the Laws of God and the true profession of the Gospel".

Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali commented to the Daily Mail last month: "...while she is faithful to the vows she has taken, in this country she has to act on the advice of her ministers.

 

"That puts the onus on the Prime Minister not to put the Queen into a position where she may have to go against the sovereign promises she has made. We hope that she is not put in that position."

By putting the same sex marriage Bill before her, Mr Cameron has forced Her Majesty into such a position.

Please contact the Prime Minister by email or letter to ask: Why did you put Her Majesty in a compromising position with the same sex marriage Bill?

Email: Click here to go to the 10 Downing Street email form
Postal address: The Rt Hon David Cameron, MP, Prime Minister, 10 Downing Street, London SW1A 2AA.

2. Give

The passage of this Bill into law doesn't indicate the end of the battle but rather the beginning.

In the House of Commons last night MP Edward Leigh warned: "I know some people think that this will all go away after the Bill becomes an Act in the next few days. They wish it would for political reasons, but by the time of the next general election, we will have a whole catalogue of new cases... And the electorate will hold us accountable for doing nothing to help them."

We expect many more cases of ordinary Christians facing legal challenge for following their Christian faith.

If you make a donation it will help us to keep supporting such Christians.

Gay activists have already turned their attention to Scotland and Northern Ireland to ensure that same sex marriage is introduced there too. Campaigner Peter Tatchell said in an article for Pink News: "The campaign for true equal marriage will continue. We will seek to rectify the shortcomings in a subsequent bill." Some of these "shortcomings" relate to protections for churches.

Please make a donation to help us keep fighting these efforts to further undermine marriage.

3. Pray

The Bible's teaching is clear on the need for us to pray for those in authority.

Please continue to pray for our Queen, Government and politicians.