Both sides: Professor Gary Bouma has thrown his support behind marriage equality.
AS an Anglican priest and a professor of sociology at Monash University, Gary Bouma is uniquely placed to comment on the issue of marriage equality.
Professor Bouma last week weighed into the debate and told the Weekly that he was an advocate of same-sex marriage.
He said marriage has long since moved beyond traditional definitions.
"Marriage has become a companionate thing. It's not like it was in the past and the churches haven't caught up with that. Some have. Not everybody in the church is off the planet but those who are noisiest about it like George Pell and [Peter] Jensen aren't willing to pay attention to what's going on with their people."
While some texts in the Bible say homosexuality was wrong, Professor Bouma points out that texts in the same passage also condemn tattoos.
"I've worked for civil rights, I've worked for women's rights and every time I turn around there's another social justice issue where I find myself squaring off against somebody who says 'But the Bible says....'
"You know, the Bible says positive stuff about slavery."
Professor Bouma, an assistant priest at St John's Parish in East Malvern, said Jesus was radically inclusive.
"The kingdom of God, as acted on by Jesus, was more inclusive than anybody could even begin to think of at that time. It was inclusive of Gentiles, it was inclusive of women who were absolutely despised and excluded from society. It was inclusive of those who were deemed impure by the religious leaders. Jesus extended the boundaries of acceptability and inclusion every time he turned around."
Professor Bouma called for a change in legislation to reflect public sentiment and end discrimination.
"I will support religious diversity and people's different beliefs but I don't believe I have the right, on the basis of my religious beliefs, to limit somebody else's life chances or deny them basic human dignity."