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Showing posts with the label Evangelical Alliance

Homosexuality in the UK

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I thought I would simply today catalogue some recent statements from various Christians about homosexuality. You will see that there is quite a  spectrum of opinion represented here, as I have explained previously. I have no intention of getting into this debate myself, but I think that it is important for all of us to understand just how broad the range of opinion is within the Church today on this subject. As an example of this range of views, Timothy Dalrymple , editor of Patheos Evangelical has argued Christians should treat gay marriage like say divorce rule s, an issue they may disagree on but don’t campaign for the rest of society to have laws matching their perspective. The past 50 years have been a time of incredible social change. In the UK 50 years ago homosexual activity was illegal. I know of nobody today who would suggest that should still be the case. But it is a measure of how quickly things have changed that in the USA , Louie Giglio a leading pastor can now be

Well meaning scripture twisters and homosexual sin

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Tony Campolo: Author and speaker on political and religious topics (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Responses to Steve Chalke 's comments in support of homosexuality have ranged from disappointment and sadness, to strong criticism. Chalke shocked the evangelical community on Tuesday with an article in Christianity magazine explaining his decision to support same-sex relationships. The leading evangelical figure explained that he now believes permanent, faithful, stable homosexual relationships are not sinful. In his article, he also criticised the attitude of the church towards gay people and called for greater inclusion. “Rather than condemn and exclude, can we dare to create an environment for homosexual people where issues of self-esteem and wellbeing can be talked about; where the virtues of loyalty, respect, interdependence and faithfulness can be nurtured, and where exclusive and permanent same-sex relationships can be supported?” he wrote.  This man has a social gospel no

Steve Chalke and others on Homosexuality and Gay Marriage

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I thought I would simply today catalogue some recent statements from various Christians about homosexuality. You will see that there is quite a  spectrum of opinion  represented here. I have no intention of getting into this debate myself, but I think that it is important for all of us to understand just how broad the range of opinion is within the Church today on this subject. Some views are not based on correct biblical viewpoints but reflect cultural pressure.  The past 50 years have been a time of incredible social change. In the UK 50 years ago homosexual activity was illegal. I know of nobody today who would suggest that should still be the case.  But it is a measure of how quickly things have changed that in the USA , Louie Giglio  a leading pastor can now be  disinvited from doing an act of national prayer  because he once taught that the Bible disagrees with homosexual activity. Society as a whole is definitely changing it’s opinion on homosexuality.   A recent surve

Bed and Breakfast owners fined for turning away gay couple

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It is illegal in Britain for guesthouse keepers to refuse to allow two homosexual men to share a bed in their homes, according to a ruling by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in a test case sponsored by the country’s leading homosexualist lobby group. Peter and Hazelmary Bull, devout Christians who own a guesthouse in a popular holiday resort in Cornwall, were ordered by the EHRC to pay a fine of £1,800 each to Martyn Hall and Steven Preddy, two men who had booked a room in September 2008. The Bulls explained to the Commission that they have a long-standing policy of refusing double rooms to any unmarried couple, no matter what their “orientation,” at the Chymorvah Private Hotel in Marazion near Penzance. Mrs. Bull commented after the hearing, saying she and her husband were “disappointed” with the result. “Our double-bed policy was based on our sincere beliefs about marriage, not hostility to anybody. It was applied equally and consistently to unmarried heterosex