by Lois McLatchie Miller
Lois McLatchie Miller says Sweden’s move to ban marriage between first cousins is waking society up to a truth Christianity has long understood. What if there are more boundaries to relationships than just consent?
Familiar slogans are once again appearing across social media feeds, corporate advertising campaigns and rainbow-coloured window displays. For years, perhaps the most influential slogan associated with Pride Month has been the simple phrase: “Love is love.”
The message is straightforward. If two consenting adults love one another, why should anyone else stand in their way?
During the debates over same-sex marriage, many Christians who raised concerns about redefining marriage were told that opposition could only stem from prejudice or irrational discomfort.
Marriage, we were assured, was simply about love and commitment between consenting adults of whatever sex. The state had no business imposing moral boundaries on private relationships. “Some people are gay – get over it!” another punchy Stonewall campaign caption read.
Yet a curious debate has emerged across Europe.