Uploaded October 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Dear Marriage Supporter,
The online magazine MercatorNet.com is an increasingly popular resource for contemporary articles supporting real marriage, family, bio-ethics, anti-wokeness and other linked topics. I caught up with its Australia-based Editor, Dr Michael Cook, to explore the rationale behind the magazine, and what it has to offer for marriage supporters everywhere. You can listen to our conversation here.
Speaking about the need for such a resource, Michael says that “journalists are important” because “they help to define the slogans which move public opinion.” MercatorNet seeks to make an impact through popular established and emerging journalists, with articles that are based on universally accepted moral principles, common sense and evidence.
Divorce, Michael says, marked the point at which expressive individualism came to the fore. “Marriage itself is fundamental. If we can recover that sense of marriage then society will heal.”
He goes on to say, “We live in a culture in which the idea of freedom is in crisis”, and warns against “extreme libertarianism”. Michael makes the case that marriage has an impact on many areas of society.
At C4M, we realise marriage is at the heart of the culture war. Confusion about gender, the over-sexualisation of children, and undermining long-term commitment, are just the start. It is more important now than ever, to stand for real marriage and its stabilising effect on society. Thank you for supporting us in this.
If you would like to support us financially, you can do so using the donate button on our website at c4m.org.uk
Tony Rucinski
facebook.com/coalition4marriage
Dear Marriage Supporter,
The online magazine MercatorNet.com is an increasingly popular resource for contemporary articles supporting real marriage, family, bio-ethics, anti-wokeness and other linked topics. I caught up with its Australia-based Editor, Dr Michael Cook, to explore the rationale behind the magazine, and what it has to offer for marriage supporters everywhere. You can listen to our conversation here.
Speaking about the need for such a resource, Michael says that “journalists are important” because “they help to define the slogans which move public opinion.” MercatorNet seeks to make an impact through popular established and emerging journalists, with articles that are based on universally accepted moral principles, common sense and evidence.
Divorce, Michael says, marked the point at which expressive individualism came to the fore. “Marriage itself is fundamental. If we can recover that sense of marriage then society will heal.”
He goes on to say, “We live in a culture in which the idea of freedom is in crisis”, and warns against “extreme libertarianism”. Michael makes the case that marriage has an impact on many areas of society.
At C4M, we realise marriage is at the heart of the culture war. Confusion about gender, the over-sexualisation of children, and undermining long-term commitment, are just the start. It is more important now than ever, to stand for real marriage and its stabilising effect on society. Thank you for supporting us in this.
If you would like to support us financially, you can do so using the donate button on our website at c4m.org.uk
Tony Rucinski
facebook.com/coalition4marriage






![The Cousin Marriage Debate - Tim Dieppe interview with Tony Rucinski
Dear marriage supporter,
Tim Dieppe is Head of Public Policy at Christian Concern. He sat down with me to unpack the arguments around cousin marriage from a recent article he wrote and why this matters for marriage as a public institution. You can listen to Tim explain his arguments fully in our discusion here:
This debate has been back in the news. NHS England has faced scrutiny over training materials that reportedly spoke of “potential benefits” of first-cousin marriage, and suggested genetic risks had been “exaggerated”.
Tim’s argument begins with a simple premise about what marriage is: “I think marriage is meant to be a public institution endorsed by the state and protected by law”. That is why he argues the cousin marriage question cannot be shrugged off as a technicality.
He presses a practical point that is often missed: “Let’s ensure that [all] marriages are registered.” Registration is the gateway to legal protection, particularly for women, when relationships break down. C4M has written about this previously.
A wider theme in the discussion is kinship and coercion. Dieppe argues that restricting close-kin marriage historically helped loosen the grip of coercive clan structures: “The effect of this was to effectively undermine the clan system whereby people are very loyal to their clan”. In that reading, the issue is not only health risk. It is also about freedom and the shape of civic life, he explains.
Tim also tackles a common Christian objection head on: “People say the Bible doesn’t prohibit cousin marriage, therefore we shouldn’t”. His response is that public policy has to deal with modern safeguarding, women’s legal protections, and the reality of coercion.
This subject matters because marriage remains the dominant family form, not a niche choice. The Office for National Statistics estimates that married couple families were still the most common family type in the UK in 2024, making up 65.1% of all families.
Coalition for Marriage supporters come from all faiths and none, and from across the political spectrum. Our common purpose is simple: to champion the original definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman, and to do so calmly and lawfully, drawing on evidence about family stability and child wellbeing.
If you’re not already supporting C4M financially but would like to help, please click the donate button at http://www.c4m.org.uk
Dr Tony Rucinski
https://www.facebook.com/coalition4marriage/ The Cousin Marriage Debate - Tim Dieppe interview with Tony Rucinski](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/PG3zABhlM-c/mqdefault.jpg)
![Help “Stop the decay” of society by promoting real marriage - Steve McQuoid and Tony Rucinski
Dear marriage supporter,
The significance of man-woman marriage to the fabric of our society is emphasised by respected writer and speaker Dr Stephen McQuoid, in our recent interview. His insights are enlightening and give us a guide to bolstering our society by promoting marriage. You can listen to our discussion here.
Referring to his highly relevant book, ‘In His Image: A Biblical Introduction to Social Ethics’, Dr McQuoid paints a vivid picture of marriage’s indispensable role in societal health and harmony. Defending marriage from a historic biblical point of view, the book is a treasure trove of wisdom, relatable not just to individuals of faith but to anyone vested in the well-being of our society.
Dr McQuoid’s analysis reveals a stark link between the decline in traditional marriage and the increase in social deprivation. He poses a fundamental question – “How can you function as a society unless there are boundaries and limitations?” Through this lens, we see the importance of commitment, loyalty, and fidelity within marriage – values that foster stability and create a solid foundation for societal growth.
Drawing from his experiences, Dr McQuoid says, “marriage is of such importance ... it’s [an] utter commitment of loyalty and fidelity to [a] person … it’s a solemn commitment that you make to this individual that you’ll commit yourself for life to this person”.
Our individual role in strengthening society through the promotion of marriage cannot be overstated. Dr McQuoid’s words offer a compelling argument for involvement in this vital cause. The future of our society relies on our collective efforts to uphold and reiterate the value of marriage. This interview is a must-share with any person in your circle who values the institution of marriage!
At C4M we know that man-woman marriage is the stabilising bedrock of society. While some would seek to undermine real marriage, we know that, acting together, our voices of support will prevail.
If you would like to support us financially, you can do so using the donate button on our website at http://www.c4m.org.uk
Dr Tony Rucinski
https://www.facebook.com/coalition4marriage/ Help “Stop the decay” of society by promoting real marriage - Steve McQuoid and Tony Rucinski](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Pj6dIL3fE_o/mqdefault.jpg)


