The Scottish Parliament announced that its members voted overwhelmingly on legalizing same sex marriage. Though there was opposition from churches and Christian leaders within the administration, many still praised the decision by Parliament.
The Guardian reported that both the Scottish Roman Catholic Church and Presbyterian Church of Scotland wrote to the government expressing great concern for the new reform.
Richard Lyle, a member of the Scottish National Party pointed out that the main problem with legalizing same sex marriage is that parents may be unable to adopt children if they oppose the practice. However, other members of the party gave more biblical reasons for their objection of the amendment.
John Mason, another member of the Scottish National Party stated that "a belief in marriage as a voluntary union between one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others for life is a belief worthy of respect in a democratic society." Though this was considered the dominant view in Scotland for centuries, now Mason pointed out that such beliefs are only held by a minority who are considered to be old-fashioned.
Gay rights activists are praising the Parliament for their decision. In July 2013, Queen Elizabeth II had already officially approved of same sex marriage in England and Wales, though like Scotland there was great opposition from the church.
