The nation of France is considering enacting legislation that would ban the use of the terms “mother” and “father” in government documents in order to accommodate homosexuals in the country.
Instead of using gender-specific words, the French government would simply use the term “parents” in order to be neutral. The drafted legislation also defines marriage as “a union of two people, of different or the same gender.”
Some state that the law is a precursor to legalizing same-sex “marriage” in the country as well as homosexual adoption. President Francois Hollande has reportedly outlined that one of his goals is to make provisions under the law for homosexuals to wed.
While same-sex “marriage” is not legal in France, since 1999, homosexuals have been allowed to enter into civil unions.
“In order to stay relevant, concerned organizations cannot afford to remain silent on this issue. This is a tremendous opportunity for reconciliation and for healing in a conflict that has raged for years,” stated a man who identifies simply as “Pastor Jamie” of the website FollowMe.org, which professes to be Christian-based.
Nathan Cherry of Family Policy Council of West Virginia disagrees.
“[T]he move is intended to erase the definition of marriage and family and replace it with a politically correct, government sanctioned one. Those with a liberal social agenda continue to push their efforts to redefine marriage and normalize homosexuality in any way possible,” he said. “I wonder how long before these efforts reach our shores? Kids need a mother and a father. Studies have shown time and again that being raised in a home with a mother and a father is best for the overall health and well-being of a child. Eliminating these proper and necessary roles will not strengthen families or society.”
A number of Christian groups and religious institutions in France have similarly expressed outrage at the proposal since its announcement.
The measure goes up for a vote before Hollande’s cabinet on October 31st.