CHRISTIAN GROUP’S FASTING AGAINST GAY MARRIAGE

An American Christian group’s 40 days of fasting against gay marriage is meant to kick off this week (although its members can still eat food).

In April, The Family Foundation urged its supporters to “join us for 40 Days of Prayer, Fasting and Repentance for Marriage from August 27 until October 5, 2014.”

The fast is intended to end the day before the US Supreme Court begins a new session on October 6. The Virginia-based organisation said it hopes its efforts will influence the court in its future rulings on the issue of same-sex marriage.

Bizarrely, the group later clarified that those who choose to fast don’t actually need to stop eating, reported Pink News in July.

“Giving up physical food isn’t necessary – but feeding on the spiritual food provided is vital,” the foundation said.

It described its fight against marriage equality as “a David vs. Goliath battle,” and complained that, “The federal government, the news media, Hollywood, the public education system and big business all are arrayed on the side of same-sex ‘marriage.’ Only the church stands in support of God’s design for marriage.”

It called on pastors, churches and supporters to join in its fast, explaining that it “will send a daily prayer journal to everyone to help guide our prayers and devotions during that time.”

It’s not clear how many churches have signed up for the absurd campaign or even if it will go ahead today. As of this morning there was no information about the fast on the group’s website or Facebook page.