OTTAWA, May 11, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A report commissioned by the Justice Department to determine how best to foist homosexual “marriage” on an unsuspecting public has determined that avoiding the term “marriage” lowers people’s defences. The report recommends the term “civil marriage” to connote the fact that homosexuals do not wish to “marry” in church anyway. The term also minimizes so-called “confusion” for those who view marriage as a religious institution, as described by a Montreal Gazette writer. The term “civil marriage” is also perceived as less offensive by religious types, according to the poll. The study polled people throughout Canada, aiming its questions exclusively at people who were either somewhat opposed or somewhat supportive of homosexual marriage—the population seen most likely to be swayed by a change in tactics. Sage Research Associates of Mississauga, Ontario, told the Gazette that a change in wording, “helps avoid potential confusion over whether the message is talking about marriage by the state versus religious marriage.” Focus on the Family vice-president of family policy, Derek Rogusky, called the device “spin. It’s an attempt to try to softpedal an issue instead of coming out with the facts,” he said. Rogusky said the change in terminology would only increase confusion.
The homosexual lobby group, Equality for Gays and Lesbians Everywhere (EGALE) agreed with the change in terminology. They believe the distinction between the terms “marriage” and “civil marriage” will help to reassure people that they are not interested in a religious ceremony.
Read related LifeSiteNews.com coverage, “Fr. de Souza’s Dire Predictions for Canada once Homosexual ‘Marriage’ Fully Legalized,” at: https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/apr/04041405.html Read Montreal Gazette coverage: https://www.canada.com/montreal/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=862fa085-795b-4ce0-a4a4-aab7b9b5ea3d