Who Owns Marriage?: A Conversation About Religion, Government, Marriage and a Civil Society

by Nick Park and Patrick Mitchel

as new unused

Paperback

First published April 4, 2015

Reviews

[Kirsty Park]

My review of this book is doubly biased. My Dad is the main contributor and editor of the book and I also contributed towards the book. At the same time though, we stood on opposite sides of the fence so perhaps that cancels my bias out a little.

I think it was a brave and significant decision to allow people like myself to contribute to this book. While all arguments aren’t coming from an evangelical position, they are addressing an evangelical position which makes this very unique compared to the level of discourse and debate that was typically seen in the run up to the referendum. It fills an important gap in this regard, although I was disappointed to see that the majority of evangelicals I know chose to run with whatever discourse bolstered their beliefs on marriage without acknowledging the conflict that might have with their evangelical beliefs or how it affected their witness.

There are, of course, many opinions I agreed and disagreed with throughout the book, but the one part that really bothered me was part of what Paul Moynan from CARE for Europe wrote. His contribution pointed out ‘health and other risks’ from homosexuality and it is a perfect example of the ‘bad science’ I wrote about in my contribution. His analysis is so skewed it would take many paragraphs to fully address them all (which I will do if anyone requests it), but I would question the ethics of someone who distorts statistics under the impression that they are looking out for the best interests of the gay community while ignoring the very clear and real evidence we have concerning the best ways to tackle issues like HIV/AIDS and STI transmission or the factors which promote the wellbeing of LGBT people. Nothing frustrates me as much who use the banner of ‘do no harm’ to do exactly that.

I would have liked to see a contribution dealing with the theology chapter from a Christian who takes an LGBT affirming position. I was tempted to address this section because there were some obvious counter arguments to be made, but I felt my position as someone who isn't a Christian would undermine any opinion I offered on the topic. I think it does leave a gap though as it means the position of those Christians who support same-sex marriage and relationships and see no contradiction with that in Scripture has been left unrepresented, except for its representation from someone who disagrees.

Overall though, I enjoyed reading the various contributions. There was plenty of food for thought and it was very valuable to read various perspectives which were largely reasoned and logical, even when I disagreed with the reason and logic.

[David Cowpar]

It's interesting that this book is already a little dated, now that the referendum has occurred and returned a 'yes' vote. There are certain parts of the book, especially that fourth chapter and resultant discussion, that deal very significantly with the same-sex marriage referendum in Ireland this month.

Still, the books itself deals with a lot of issues that are relevant whether or not there is a marriage referendum. Nick Park, the main author (or first author on each chapter) is clearly an 'outside the box' thinker when it comes to this issue. He has opinions I agree with but have heard from no one else, but I think more people think like him then I am aware.

The one 'fault' in the book comes in its discussion pieces. The book is published by Evangelical Alliance Ireland. This would suggest a largely Evangelical audience. Nick has allowed people, including the head of Atheist Ireland and others without Christian belief, to have their say unchallenged.
The order to the discussion part of each chapter is a little unhelpful as well. In the majority they seem to move across the spectrum of 'most like Nick's beliefs' to 'furthest from Nick's beliefs' so the last thing you read in each chapter is usually something the opposite of what Evangelical Christianity would say, and it goes unchallenged.
In the introduction Nick speaks of this and his rationalism for such a decision, which I agree with. However, I do not think he would need to respond to each author individually each time, but perhaps a small section at the end outlining what he thought was valuable about each piece and what could not find a place in Evangelical belief would have been helpful.

Having said that, it is extremely commendable that someone like Nick Park would reach outside the EAI to find authors and opinions that would differ to his own, and the majority of his reader's own, thoughts. What a progressive way to write a book on this issue.

I am also glad this book exists and deals with Ireland. There is a large shortage of that in this country. It's a little sad this this is the issue the EAI has chosen to actually write about, and nothing else, more books in the same category of Evangelical Christianity in Ireland would make for a valuable asset to Irish Christianity in the whole and I would hope this book will not be the only one, but the first of a new line.

[Chris Wray]

I thoroughly enjoyed this little book, and what sets it apart from many other books and articles on the topic is the amount of space Nick Park gives to those with whom he (and I) disagree. His stated aim is to provide a “resource for Evangelicals, both in Ireland and in other countries, to think through how they can hold deep religious convictions while contributing positively to a tolerant secular society,” and I think that is commendably achieved. Holding a line that is unashamedly faithful to the Bible yet gentle, compassionate, and respectful is not easy in Ireland today, but the Christian life is never presented as being easy. I think he is spot on when he comments that, “An increasing number of protagonists on both sides of the debate are unwilling to engage in the kind of civilised discussion where we recognise that those with differing views might, in all good faith, be seeking to contribute something positive to society.” That is incredibly helpful (and convicting); everyone wants the greater good of society, albeit that we disagree on what that looks like and where we should seek out guidance. Again, he perfectly summarises what evangelicals have to contribute to the discussion when he says that, “Marriage is something that is really important to us as Evangelicals, and I strongly believe that we have an important perspective to share at a time when the concept of marriage, including heterosexual marriage, is being reduced to a mere social convention– often leaving a trail of disillusionment, cynicism and heartbroken adults and children…As citizens of this State, Christians have exactly the same opportunity and right as anyone else to articulate their vision of what sort of society will best lead to human flourishing. Part of this task will include opposing harmful and destructive policies and ideas as well as developing positive practical proposals for a way forward.”

I also appreciated how this book speaks into the Irish context, where evangelical Christians have always been a small minority. One point that resonated with me is the danger Ireland is in of becoming just as dogmatic and intolerant as the repressive, Catholic past that we’re supposed to have left behind. Nick makes a great point when he comments that the redefinition of marriage is a microcosm of the wider societal changes in Ireland, “It resonates deeply with themes embedded in our Western culture: individualism, the pursuit of happiness, equality, freedom, liberation from oppressive institutional structures and tolerance. This is a narrative of progress, inclusion and justice as compared to the old repressive ‘Catholic Ireland’ of the past. To be perceived to ‘belong’ to the anti same- sex marriage camp is to be labelled as someone who has a regressive agenda to control the individual, promote unhappiness, endorse inequality, restrict freedom, reinforce oppression and maintain intolerance…Are we going to replace a dominant Catholic Christendom that had little room for minority voices with a dominant secularism that has little room for minority voices?”

Again, the (now past) debate on marriage “is only a symptom of a much deeper process of cultural transformation driven by the West’s embrace of capitalism and consumerism: the autonomous individual; freedom of choice; privatised morality; the pursuit of happiness; and the right to express our own identity– whatever it is (within the law).” The marriage referendum may be history, but these themes continue to play themselves out in our society, and our response to them as Christians must remain the same; leaning hard into God’s justice, wisdom and mercy, we must continue to love those around us and hold out the hope of the gospel.