Editor's note

As the marriage equality postal survey continues, it’s time to consider how churches may respond if, as the polls indicate, the “yes” camp wins. As Robyn Whitaker writes, in fact churches will not be compelled to change anything at all, because they are protected by religious freedom laws to allow their clergy to marry whomever they choose. But while a change in civil law would not necessarily mean a change for churches, it would be an opportunity for them to revise their marriage policies and have a (no doubt rebust) debate about who can be married in a church setting.

Amanda Dunn

Editor

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Religious organisations have freedom under Australian law to practise their own doctrines and marriage rituals. Shutterstock

If Australia says 'yes', churches are still free to say 'no' to marrying same-sex couples

Robyn J. Whitaker, University of Divinity

Even if secular law changes to allow same-sex couples to marry, churches are protected by religious freedom to choose who they will - or will not - marry.

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