Christian couple withdraw vow to divorce if Australia legalised same-sex marriage

Pair say the move would change the 'timeless and organic definition of marriage'

A Christian couple who pledged to get a divorce if same-sex marriage was legalised in Australia have backed away from their initial statement.

Nick and Sarah Jensen publicly vowed to divorce in 2015 in protest of the Government changing the “timeless and organic definition of marriage”.

Australia's Parliament voted on Thursday to allow same-sex marriage across the nation.

The couple said the decision was not one they had taken “lightly” as the couple were still very happy together.

“You see, after our divorce, we’ll continue to live together, hopefully for another 50 years,” Mr Jensen said in Canberra’s City News two years ago.

Nick Jensen said he and his wife would divorce if same-sex marriage was made legal (Nick Jensen/Facebook)

Mr Jensen then explained further: "If our federal parliament votes to change the timeless and organic definition of marriage later on this year, it will have moved against the fundamental and foundational building block of Australian society and, indeed, human culture everywhere.

"Indeed, it raises a red flag when a government decides it is not content only having sovereignty over land, taxes and the military – but 'words' themselves.

"This is why we are willing to divorce. By changing the definition of marriage, 'marriage' will, in years to come, have an altogether different sense and purpose."

He added: “My wife and I, as a matter of conscience, refuse to recognise the government’s regulation of marriage if its definition includes the solemnisation of same sex couples.”

The couple has since responded to their initial pledge following the Australian Parliament’s vote to allow same-sex marriage across the nation on Thursday - and they appear to have backtracked from their initial vow.

In a statement to News.com.au, Mr Jensen said: “My previous public comments regarding civil divorce never envisaged me separating from my wife, but rather our marriage from the state.

“The legislation currently makes it untenable for us to do this under the law.

“The point we were highlighting and that still stands however is the fact that a redefinition of marriage changes the agreement under which we were originally married.

“We will be making no further comment.”

Australians voted overwhelming in favour of legalising same-sex marriage in a poll last month, with 61.6 per cent of people in support of allowing same-sex couples to wed.