The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service reports that 20 religious organizations and 19 individuals have dismissed a government supported bill on the rights of homosexuals currently under discussion in Althingi.
According to a statement from the organizations sent to Althingi, the bill is described as ridiculous and as a departure from Christian norms by the government. The organizations declare their full support for the bishop of Iceland who has said that marriage is a contract between one man and one woman. The statement expresses regret for the departure from Christian norms that is shown in the government’s bill. It states that the nation has had those ethical values as a base in all legislation from when Christianity was adopted in Iceland. According to the statement to legalize something else is a departure from the clear command of the holy book and in violation with the ethical teachings of the Christian Church.
The statement calls the clause on the rights of homosexual couples in civil unions to adopt children and the rights of lesbians in civil unions to artificial fertilization “ridiculous”. According to the religious organizations those clauses reduce the rights of children and do not respect their relationship with a mother or father. The statement also calls the amendment of the bill that allows leaders of religious organizations to marry homosexual couples “ridiculous”. The statement is signed by 20 Icelandic religious organizations and 19 individuals from other religious organizations.
