Saturday 12 September, 2009

UK
Politics
Health

Prime Minister, Gordon Brown

By Charles Gardner

The protection of the homosexual community’s feelings alongside a parallel persecution of those who believe theirs to be a sinful lifestyle continues to gain momentum in our crazy, topsy-turvy world.

There is the case of the posthumous apology from Prime Minister and ‘son of the manse’ Gordon Brown to World War II hero Alan Turing, who committed suicide after he was tried and convicted of a homosexual act.

And in Mr Brown’s Scotland, we have news of a practicing homosexual put forward for the Presbyterian preaching ministry.
And we await judgment on the case of Gary McFarlane, a Relate counsellor sacked because his Christian beliefs prevented him giving sex therapy to homosexual couples.

There are others, no doubt, but that’s enough to convince many that we are very close to the situation that existed in Sodom and Gomorrah where you would be persecuted for not taking part (or at least acceding to) perverted acts of gross indecency.

Now we have a British Prime Minister whose father was a man of the cloth succumbing to the pressure of the homosexual lobby by apologising for the treatment handed out to Mr Turing, who was convicted of ‘gross indecency’ in 1952 and took his own life two years later.

Yes, his code-breaking genius no doubt shortened the war, as is claimed, but he later broke the law. And although I do believe in the validity of apologies on behalf of past generations, I feel that in this case it is entirely inappropriate. Just because ‘gay’ lifestyles are now generally accepted does not make them right. But this doesn’t, however, take away from the fact that we do indeed owe Mr Turing a debt of gratitude.

Meanwhile the Church of Scotland faces a fresh crisis over its attitude towards homosexuality after an openly gay man was selected by one of the country’s largest and most influential presbyteries to train as a minister.
The decision comes less than six months after the appointment of a gay minister in Aberdeen almost split the Kirk. The selection of Scott Rennie, a divorced father who now lives with his male partner, horrified traditionalists and, in an attempt to defuse the row, the Kirk approved a two-year ban on the induction and ordination of homosexual ministers while a special commission examined the issue.

Despite the ban, however, Hamilton Presbytery – the third biggest in Scotland – have voted to nominate a man in a civil partnership for training. His identity is unknown and there have been suggestions that the applicant sought legal advice over his right to apply.

Homosexuality is regarded in both Old and New Testaments of the Bible as an abomination and perversion not worthy of anyone calling himself a follower of Christ. Sodom and Gomorrah’s fiery destruction was God’s judgment on such lifestyles. So it beggars belief that the Church of Scotland can think of justifying such depravity.

And in a crucial case for civil liberties and freedom of speech for which this country has long been envied, sacked Relate counsellor Gary McFarlane awaits the outcome of an Employment Appeal Tribunal.

Although Gary had never had to provide sex therapy to a same-sex couple, he wanted to know what his position would be if the situation did arise. But he was dismissed in spite of explaining that he would counsel couples in compliance with Relate’s Equal Opportunities Policy.

And although he won his wrongful dismissal claim, it was the issue of his religious liberty that was considered this week by the Employment Appeal Tribunal.
A major concern raised by this case is that many areas of employment could become barred to Christians because of their belief that homosexual activity is sinful.

Gay activity involves a disgusting liaison between two males for which they were clearly not designed and, in any case, does not procreate. So if everyone indulged in it, the human race would die out. And yet those who argue that it is wrong are persecuted! Prime Minister, please explain!

Photo: Wikipedia