Couple vow to divorce if gay marriage is legalised in Australia

Nick and Sarah Jensen. Photo / Facebook

An Australian coupled has pledged to divorce if politicians legalise same-sex marriage in the country.

Nick and Sarah Jensen, a Christian couple from Canberra, say they believe in a definition of marriage that is "for the sake of children" and do not think marriage rights should be extended to same-sex couples.

"When we got married all those years ago, we made an agreement with the state," Mr Jensen told smh.com.au, adding that if the state changed that definition it would be a violation of that agreement,

Mr Jensen is director of the Lachlan Macquarie Institute, a Christian organisation that provides an internship "designed to foster a greater appreciation of the relevance of a Christian world view to public policy".

It is partnered with the Australian Christian Lobby, which aims to instil Christian values in government and the business community.

Mr Jensen's views are informed by his belief that marriage is a "sacred institution" that is "part of God's intimate story".

"If the state does go ahead and potentially change the definition of marriage - or change the terms of that contract - then we can no longer partake in that new definition, unfortunately," Mr Jensen said.

He said if marriage was considered to be only about love, it became "meaningless".
Such a definition would allow for polygamy, he argued.

"Once you say that marriage is detached from children - it's just about love - then, when three people come to the state and say, 'Well, we're all in love', then the state has no grounds, except unjust discrimination, to say why they can't get married," he said.

"When it becomes detached from a child's right to a mother and a father and the sacred institution that it is, then suddenly it becomes meaningless."

Explaining his stance, Mr Jensen said he wanted to spark discussion about the meaning of marriage.

"I can understand why some people might be upset, but our intention isn't to hurt anyone or focus on any individuals." he said.

"Really, our intention is for discussing at a deeper level what marriage actually is."