Editorial: Same sex debate fuelled

Pompallier College's principal Richard Stanton's brave and controversial views on the gay marriage bill before Parliament have reinforced the ongoing challenges religion faces as modern society evolves.

Mainly, that times change. Society changes. But religious tolerance sometimes doesn't.

Mr Stanton's views on gay parents and children are particularly inflammatory.

He argues that a change in the definition of marriage will result in same sex couples arguing for the "right" to children.

The gay couples that I know of who have chosen to have children, did so because of their desire to be loving parents. I am quite confident their decision was made regardless of whether the state recognised them as a couple.

Compare this to the number of parents we have on welfare who have chosen to have children, and who are paid a benefit by the state after doing so, on the condition they are not in a loving relationship of the nature of marriage.

Mr Stanton's views are based on his Catholic faith and I respect his right to share them. As he would no doubt respect the counter view that many will find his comments derogatory and prejudicial toward gay people.

Mr Stanton fears that we are moving to a society where children become an "entitlement" or "right" and are therefore commodities, or possessions rather than a gift to be received.

His fears are not without foundation. But an increase in the number of parents who treat their children as commodities is not going to occur should the state allow gay people to marry.