Wednesday 14 March 2012

Embargoed: 11.59pm, Wednesday 14 March 2012

New Poll reveals Scots oppose Same Sex Marriage


A new opinion poll shows that most Scots do not think marriage should be redefined to include "same sex marriage", the poll released by the campaign group "Scotland for Marriage" also shows that 85% of Scots think; "it is possible to be tolerant of the rights of others and protective of traditional marriage at the same time". Further questions revealed that 71% don not believe "defending traditional marriage is discriminating against gays and lesbians", while 69% endorsed the view that "although death or divorce may prevent it the ideal situation for a child is to be raised by a married mother and a father"



Reacting to the poll results, a spokesman for "Scotland for Marriage" campaign said;

"These results demonstrate clearly that Scotland supports marriage with an overwhelming majority believing that wherever possible every child should be raised by a mother and a father"

"There is clearly no support whatsoever for a society which creates in law a situation which deliberately deprives a child of a mother or a father"

"I hope that the Scottish Government will consider these findings very carefully and accept that objections to their proposals are not primarily religious but exist widely across society among people of all faiths and none"
 

“There simply is not majority support for this very contentious and divisive issue. Although this issue is one of general concern across the whole of Scottish society, the assurances given to religious bodies will do nothing to comfort them."

ENDS



Notes to Editors:


1. The Poll was conducted by Opinion Research Business (ORB), fieldwork took place between 24 and 29 January 2012 of a statistically accurate sample of 1004 Scottish adults.


2. ORB Poll - Results

It is possible to be tolerant of the rights of others and protective of
traditional marriage at the same time

AGREE = 85%; DISAGREE = 9%

Although death or divorce may prevent it I believe that the ideal
situation for a child is to be raised by a married mother and father

AGREE = 69%; DISAGREE = 29%

Someone who defends traditional marriage is discriminating against gays
and lesbians

AGREE = 21%; DISAGREE = 71%

Since gay and lesbian couples already have the same rights as married
couples available to them under civil partnership, they should not be allowed to redefine marriage for everyone else

AGREE = 53%; DISAGREE = 36%

People often feel intimidated into saying they support same- sex marriage
because it is politically correct

AGREE = 46%; DISAGREE = 48%

Given the recession and the Government's other political priorities
such as the proposed referendum on independence for Scotland, debating whether or not to legalise same-sex marriage is an unwelcome distraction

AGREE = 46%; DISAGREE = 47%

If the SNP succeeds with its proposal to legalise same-sex marriage,
would this affect your decision over whether to vote in favour of
independence for Scotland?

MORE LIKELY TO VOTE FOR INDEPENDENCE = 2%; NO DIFFERENCE = 85%; LESS
LIKELY TO VOTE FOR INDEPENDENCE = 11%


3. Scotland for Marriage is a campaign to support marriage as the union of one man and one woman. This definition has served Scotland well down the centuries.


We argue the case for marriage. We draw on a well-researched evidence base which shows that, although death and divorce may prevent it, children do best when raised by their married mother and father.

We know that many ordinary Scots whatever their religious beliefs or lack of them will agree with and lend support to the Scotland for Marriage campaign.

The broad-based campaign is supported by:
CARE for Scotland
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Scotland
The Christian Institute
Destiny Churches, Scotland
The Evangelical Alliance
The Family Education Trust

The co-operation between groups is over one clear issue; opposition to redefining marriage. It is not a venture in religious unity, indeed Scotland for Marriage is backed by both religious and non-religious groups. It is an expression of the breadth of concern within Scottish society.

http://scotlandformarriage.org

4.The Poll findings will be publicised in a series of 1/2 page newspaper adverts in national newspapers on Thursday 15 March

5. For further information contact:

Mike Judge - Christian Institute: 07736 957579

Peter Kearney - Catholic Media Office: 07968 122291