Evangelicals say religious freedom must be protected after Switzerland backs same-sex marriage

 (Photo: Unsplash/Yannis Papanastasopoulos)

"The freedom of churches must be protected," the Swiss Evangelical Alliance has said after same-sex marriage received overwhelming public support in a referendum. 

Nearly two thirds of Swiss (64.1%) backed the 'Marriage for All' proposal in the nationwide referendum. 

Gay couples have already been able to enter into civil partnerships since 2007. 

Although the proposals have now passed the referendum, it could be several months before the change comes into effect.

Commenting on the result, the Swiss Evangelical Alliance said 'Marriage for All' went "too far" and "places too little weight on the rights of children". 

"The wishes of adults have triumphed over the rights of children," it said. 

It voiced further concerns about the development of further legislation in the future to permit egg donation and surrogacy.

"An extremely dubious instrumentalization of the human body was not given enough consideration," it said. 

The Swiss EA has vowed to stand up for the religious freedom of pastors and churches following the vote.

It said churches must be free to wed only heterosexual couples.

"The Swiss Evangelical Alliance will continue to campaign for freedom of religion and freedom of conscience with regard to church weddings," it said. 

News
Prince and Princess of Wales visit Lambeth Palace to meet new Archbishop of Canterbury
Prince and Princess of Wales visit Lambeth Palace to meet new Archbishop of Canterbury

The Prince and Princess of Wales have paid an official visit to Lambeth Palace.

Pastor, daughter and son-in-law slain in Plateau state, Nigeria
Pastor, daughter and son-in-law slain in Plateau state, Nigeria

Fulani herdsmen last month killed a pastor, his daughter and her husband, leaving the couple’s 3-month-old baby with a machete wound, in Plateau state, Nigeria.

Christian group welcomes British sanctions on Iranians
Christian group welcomes British sanctions on Iranians

Britain stopped shot of designating the Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organisation.

2,000-year-old 'Pilgrim's Path' opens in Jerusalem
2,000-year-old 'Pilgrim's Path' opens in Jerusalem

An ancient road that may have been built in the days of Jesus and led up to the Jerusalem Temple Mount has been opened to the public for the first time.