Jakarta – Balinese customary law does not recognize same-sex marriage as it is against Hindu beliefs, an expert said recently.

Wayan P. Windia, an expert on customary law at Bali's Udayana University, said same-sex marriage was against Bali's traditional culture.

"In Balinese culture, a marriage is between a man and woman, which is why there are the traditional terms nganten [bride] and gerorod [groom]", he said as quoted by Antara news agency.

He said Balinese customs defined a marriage as a bond between a man and a woman based on love and witnessed in a ceremony in accordance with Hindu beliefs. Bali's customary law also had a biological perspective to fulfill sexual needs and to produce offspring, he added.

"From a social perspective, there is also a basic philosophical belief that offspring will carry an inheritance from their parents and ancestors that frees them of their sins," he said.

Recently, a reported marriage between two men in Bali caused a stir in the local community. The news arose after a photo of the couple exchanging vows went viral on social media in September.

Local religious figures also slammed same-sex marriages taking place in Bali. Taufik As'adi, chairman of the Bali branch of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) said same-sex marriage was against Islamic teachings where a man may only marry a woman.

He said every religion prohibited same-sex marriage as the purpose of marriage was to produce children and was not merely for sexual pleasure.

Priest Wira Dhammo from Bali's Indonesian Buddhist Community (Walubi) said Buddhist religious teachings only recognized a legitimate marriage between a man and a woman. "If there are same-sex couples who claim they are married, then it is not valid," he said.

The government stipulates that a marriage is between a man and a woman as stated in the 1974 Marriage Law.

Local media reported that LGBT activists questioned Indonesia's stance following the legalization of same-sex marriage in all 50 states in the US in June. The government, however, maintains that a marriage is between a man and a woman, as stated in the 1974 Marriage Law. (liz/rin)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/12/03/no-same-sex-marriage-under-balinese-customary-law.html