Colin Craig's moral crusade against same-sex marriage

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Colin Craig's moral crusade

3News NZ

Same-sex marriage could be legalised before the next election

Same-sex marriage could be legalised before the next election

By Dan Parker

Conservative party leader Colin Craig says he is working on a campaign to oppose Louisa Wall's Same-Sex Marriage Bill and influence undecided politicians to vote against it.

Ms Wall's bill was drawn from a ballot on Thursday last week and she's working to secure support for a law change.

She told gay rights advocates and campaigners this morning same-sex marriage could be legalised before the next election.

Ms Wall says the first step is getting her bill safely though its first reading and she believes she already has the support needed.

“Yes there is [support] and I am hoping that MP's do allow that debate to happen because then we will be able to formally know what New Zealanders think about marriage equality,” says Ms Wall.

But Conservative Party Leader Colin Craig says he'll do everything he can outside of Parliament to oppose it going any further.

Mr Craig was out connecting with voters today and says he's preparing a campaign to lobby politicians and their constituents.

“I'm not in favour of a campaign where people start calling each other names, I think an intelligent debate is one that says ‘Here’s what we are proposing, here's why it is not a good idea and here is why we should vote against the legislation’,” says Mr Craig.

Both side of this debate on gay marriage are claiming they have the majority of public opinion behind them.

“I think it's something most New Zealanders are uncomfortable with,” says Mr Craig.

“Probably two thirds of New Zealanders think it's time for this,” says Labour list MP Charles Chauvel.

But whether that majority translates in Parliament is a concern for Mr Chauvel, he says he'll meet with the Greens and New Zealand First on Tuesday to gauge their support.

“I think there is a majority in Parliament of people who would say yes we agree in principle that anybody in a stable, lawful, loving relationship should be able to formalise that relationship as the same basis as anyone else in New Zealand,” says Mr Chauvel.

Ultimately that decision will be made by MP in a conscience vote.

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Comments

5/08/2012 3:39:15 p.m.

Craig Young wrote:

What about the Unitarian ministers arrested in New Paltz, New York state for officiating at same-sex weddings in 2004, Dawn Seacrest and Lynn Greenleaf?

What was that about religious freedom again, Moorhead?

3/08/2012 9:55:22 p.m.

cherie wrote:

No one can force anyone to marry them. Why all this rubbish then. If a priest doesnt want to he just says no. Who cares if "gays" want to marry. Where the harm in that . Look at all the "straights" that do it over and over again. Surley that is worse in this so called "gods" eyes.

1/08/2012 2:26:57 a.m.

Moorhead wrote:

Colin Craig sloppily concedes that while "most" homosexuals would prefer not to force priests, rabbis, imams and other religious officials to go against their religion, that even HE thinks this will be an outcome that could arise from the passing of this law. If you are religious or have friends or family who are you may see their places of worship invaded by police and, judging by the cyber terrorism that opponents have already been bombarded with, vigilante mobs in their churches, temples, mosques and synagogues. Do you want them to suffer? Do you really think their is something wrong with civil unions, Colin Craig? If so, what? You must know you are actively a large proportion of the community and removing their freedom, so why? What is so wrong with civil unions? When the civil unions were rammed down our throat, we said this would happen. It didn't take long, did it?

1/08/2012 2:12:19 a.m.

Moorhead wrote:

Alex, you can't tell people to 'buzz off' and expect them to disappear from the media. Colin Craig obviously represents a lot of people both in terms of insecure anit-conservatives like yourself, who feel the media need to censor every person with traditional values for fear of looking like 'fundies'. Settle down and try to respect different voices without abusing people.

31/07/2012 9:25:12 a.m.

Alex wrote:

Why oh why does the NZ media keep giving this zealot the chance to speak. He failed to make it into parliament therefore in our democratic system him and his backwards policies were not wanted by the voters. Colin Craig buzz off and don't come back until you are official elected as an MP.

30/07/2012 2:25:13 p.m.

Gary wrote:

Guys, Collin "the fascist dictator" Craig has ZERO policy and almost ZERO voters he will grab onto anything to get an extra vote or two! And yes he is still in the dark ages and probably would still burn witches. His views on things are approx 700 years behind. When the day comes for him to meet his maker he will get a 'slap' for being such a twat.

30/07/2012 11:42:39 a.m.

Craig Young wrote:

And if the fundies don't think we can't recognise a website/phonecall/letter page blitz orchestrated from their lobby groups, then sorry, they may be born again, but the rest of us weren't born yesterday...

30/07/2012 11:03:36 a.m.

Craig Young wrote:

Greg, you do realise that British Conservative Party Prime Minister David Cameron also supports marriage equality, don't you?

30/07/2012 6:53:54 a.m.

Greg wrote:

Will definitely be voting Colin Craig in 2014. Gays found equality in the civil union bill, and this redefinition of a well-established institution is another attempt by the Green/Labour contingent to break down the fabric of society and throw us into a whirlwind of disastrous, change.

29/07/2012 10:26:13 p.m.

Barry Johnstone wrote:

Marriage came about (I think) in the early part of the 17th century, and I don't think that gender was a part of it. Surely marriage is more about relationships than anything else.