Jakarta – Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin has said that same-sex marriage is unacceptable in Indonesia because of the religiousness of its citizens.

"I think it's something difficult to allow in a country like Indonesia. Indonesia has a very religious society. The state and society perceive marriage as not only a civil affair," he said on Thursday as quoted by Antara news agency.

Lukman said that Indonesian people see marriage as a sacred thing and a part of religious ritual. Hence, as religions have forbidden homosexuality, same-sex marriage cannot be accepted.

Following the step taken in several nations like the Netherlands and Ireland, the US Supreme Court recently legalized same-sex marriage in all states in the country.

The move has sparked new excitement in Indonesia for similar recognition of equal marriage rights, allowing everyone to marry regardless of their sexuality. Support for same-sex marriage is vast on social media such as Facebook and Twitter.

Many, however, expressed skepticism that such recognition would soon occur in Indonesia as little effort has been made to reform marriage rights here.

The Indonesian Constitutional Court has recently refused to explicitly legalize interfaith marriages and also refused to raise the minimum marriage age for females from 16 years old.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/07/03/national-scene-ri-too-religious-gay-marriage.html