When the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 was being debated in parliament it was explicitly stated by many that registrars would be one of the many causalities of conscience of the legislation by being forced to conduct Same Sex Marriage ceremonies against their conscience.
In March 2014, Margaret Jones a Senior Deputy Registrar at Bedford register office was forced by her employer to conduct same sex marriage ceremonies or resign. Margaret refused to comply and subsequently was accused of gross misconduct and lost her job.
"But last month (August 2014), Margaret's appeal against her dismissal was upheld unanimously by a panel of Central Bedfordshire Council Members. The panel decided that the council had not fully investigated ways of accommodating Margaret's religious beliefs and that evidence had been found that in other cases "informal custom and practice arrangements had been developed in order to accommodate individual staff situations."
In a letter reversing Margaret's dismissal, the council said its appeal panel had decided that further consideration could have been given at the disciplinary hearing to ways of accommodating her "deeply held religious beliefs." The letter informed Margaret she would be reinstated with no financial loss and that any reference to gross misconduct would be "expunged from all records."
Paul Diamond, Standing Counsel to the Christian Legal Centre (CLC), which has supported Margaret over the issue said: "All good employers should follow this precedent, and practising Christians should no longer fear expressing their beliefs." (Christian Legal Centre, 1 September 2014)
Well done to the Christian Legal Centre for successfully defending her case and winning on appeal. Well done to Margaret Jones who has honoured God before men and will be honoured by Jesus Christ before the Father in Heaven. (Matthew 10:32-33)
Christians need to be clear in their mind where they will stand in situations like this where there is a real cost to standing for Biblical beliefs that are for the good of all. What would you do if your job was on the line? Would you obey God or man?
Rescind the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013
The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 should be, without question, rescinded and all same sex marriage licences annulled immediately. The Act has to be the one of the most perverse and evil acts of legislation introduced by the UK government and shows the depth of total depravity of those in power and giving them counsel. God will judge them and they will fall suddenly without remedy.
Proverbs 29:1 "He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy."