No clarity and reason in national debates

The major issue in child marriages is child abuse and ought to be addressed outside of religion, custom, tradition or doctrine.

It is an issue related to a societal social problem. We must recognise that increasingly as the democratic process develops societies necessarily become more secular. Unfortunately, in the debate, several of our legislators invested time on irrelevancies of religious beliefs and doctrines none of which were challenged by the amendment proposed.

There is no attempt to interfere with an individual’s religious doctrines, beliefs and/or customs and they can continue to hold their beliefs. However, for the greater good of society in 2017, the State proposes that we would now universally adhere to the principle that marriages can only be legally contracted between consenting adults. We have already determined who are adults under previous amendments and logically the law now simply seeks consistency.

May I respectfully suggest that these principles be extended to decision-making as they relate to the nation’s development.

We are all overburdened by the pervasive indecisiveness in this regard.

Samuel B Howard via e-mail