The acceptance of alternative lifestyles concerning diverse family models and sexual orientation remains a challenging issue for churches. In 2019 marriage was legally equated with a civil union in Austria - the legal form can now be chosen independently of sexual orientation. As a result, the Evangelical Lutheran Church felt compelled to re-evaluate marriage as its pre­ferred legal form in a synodal meeting. The synodal document shows that a compromise was sought between the socio-politically conservative and the liberal wing of the church. The aim of this essay is to draw attention to the tensions, inconsistencies and attempts of harmonization evident in terms such as 'creation', 'conscience' or 'blessing' which have been left open to interpretation, while the term 'marriage ceremony' (Trauung) has been omitted altogether in order to avoid conflict.

Enthalten in:
Evangelische Theologie; 2019/6 Zweimonatsschrift (2019)

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Serie / Reihe: Evangelische Theologie

Personen: Scheiwiller, Thomas

Schlagwörter: Evangelische Kirche Ehe Österreich Homosexualität Gleichgeschlechtliches Paar Heteronormativität