Stephen Fry accuses Church of ‘caving in to extremists over gay marriage’

 
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Stephen Fry today accused the Church of England of caving in to “screeching” extremists who he claims have spread lies about gay marriage.

The author, film and TV star said it was “unfair” of Church leaders to oppose same-sex weddings to appease “the more extreme end” of their membership.

Fry, who is gay, spoke out in a new video, right, for the Out4Marriage campaign which has persuaded a string of celebrities and politicians to back its calls for reform.

“There are other faiths like Quakers and Congregationalists and Unitarians and the Liberal Reform part of the Jewish faith who are actually extremely keen,” he said.

“They feel their communion won’t be complete unless it includes gay marriage because they believe in social justice and equality too.”

He then turned on the Church of England, saying: “It’s wrong, in a country like ours, which has an established Church, just because their more extreme end is screeching with outrage at the idea of this, that we are not allowed to be married.

"It’s unfair on plenty of other religious people and it is mis-representing what we require, which is only the same as anybody else, and that’s to express our love in the fullest possible way of commitment.”

His three-minute monologue, which can be viewed on YouTube, says gay people “used to be regarded as villains because we were so bohemian and outrageous and we eschewed family values, but we’re not. We’re human beings like everybody else and we believe first and foremost in love.”

He argues: “At least 260 species of animal have been noted exhibiting homosexual behaviour but only one species of animal ever, so far as we know, has exhibited homophobic behaviour — and that’s the human being. So ask which is really natural.”

Benjamin Cohen of Out4Marriage said: “No religious institution should be forced to conduct a gay marriage, but those that wish to should be allowed to”.

A Church of England spokesman said it “continues to debate the issue of same-sex marriage, whilst supporting civil partnerships”.

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