BRITAIN: 500 Imams Sign Joint Letter Denouncing Same-Sex Marriage

A coalition of more than 500 imams have signed a joint letter denouncing Britain's pending same-sex marriage bill.  The Telegraph calls the letter "the first time that Muslim leaders have made a collective intervention on the issue and underlines the strength of feeling among ethnic minority voters." Here is an excerpt:

Marriage is a sacred contract between a man and a woman that cannot be redefined. We believe that marriage between a man and a woman is the cornerstone of family life and the only institution within which to raise children.  We are concerned that this radical change to the institution of marriage will impact on what is taught in schools. Muslim teachers will be forced into the contradictory position of holding private beliefs, while teaching a new legal definition of marriage. Muslim parents will be robbed of their right to raise their children according to their beliefs, as gay relationships are taught as something normal to their primary-aged children.

Today the House Of Commons will begin debate on its third and final reading of the bill. The debate is expected to last through tomorrow. The bill has not yet been heard in the House Of Lords.

RELATED: In January over 1000 British Catholic priests co-signed a similar letter.