There are several problems with this idea, not least of all that Australia is a secular nation and the marriage act which legislates the definition of marriage is a secular document.

Those who choose to marry in a church, before the eyes of their God, remain free to make such a choice within this secular society.

Their union as "man and wife" is of no less or greater value than a committed and exclusive union of a same-sex couple.

Suggestions for differing marriage acts continue to have a basis in homophobic discrimination – the fact that proponents such as Mr Robertson often protest that traditional matrimony is somehow being "trampled" by those who advocate for marriage equality is testament to this.

For too long faith-based discrimination, vilification and exclusion of LGBTI people has been an acceptable norm in our society.

This has to change.

Anyone who doubts this should take the time to read the appalling ignorance, offensiveness and hatred of the anonymous letter handed to pro-marriage-equality businesses in Bendigo by a Christian group recently.

There is a copy on display in View Street.

This is the kind of viciousness which discrimination enshrined in law gives encouragement and legitimacy to.

Surely Mr Robertson does not want his homosexual children to be subject to this overtly or covertly in any form.

A reasonable man such as Mr Robertson, as a father especially, must surely be capable of conceding this without feeling trampled upon.

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