BurnTheOliveTree
22nd January 2008, 18:52
Do not adjust your set. Dr. Joel Edwards, head of the Evangelical Alliance (http://www.eauk.org/index.cfm), has been given the job of promoting rights, including gay rights... The Evangelical Alliance are absolute homophobes of the worst kind, here is their statement on "Faith and Homosexuality".
1. We recognise that all of us are sinners, and that the only true hope for
sinful people - whether homosexual or heterosexual - is in Jesus Christ.
Our earnest prayer is that his love, truth and grace would characterise
evangelical responses to debates on homosexuality, both now and in
future.
2. We affirm that monogamous heterosexual marriage is the only form of
partnership approved by God for full sexual relations today.
3. We affirm God's love and concern for all humanity, including homosexual
people, but believe homoerotic sexual practice to be incompatible with
His will as revealed in Scripture.
4. We repudiate homophobia insofar as it denotes an irrational fear or
hatred of homosexuals. We do not accept, however, that to reject
homoerotic sexual practice on biblical grounds is in itself homophobic.
5. We deeply regret the hurt caused to lesbians and gay men by the
Church's past and present hatred and rejection of them.
6. We oppose moves within certain churches to accept and/or endorse
sexually active homosexual partnerships as a legitimate form of Christian
relationship. We stand prayerfully with those in such churches who are
seeking to resist these moves on biblical grounds.
7. We oppose moves within certain churches towards permitting the
ordination of sexually active lesbians and gay men to ministry. We stand
prayerfully with those in such denominations who are seeking to resist
these moves on biblical grounds.
8. We commend and encourage those homosexual Christian people who
have committed themselves to chastity and celibacy. We believe that
such people should be eligible for ordination and leadership within the
church. Where they are members of denominations which are
considering an endorsement of sexually active homosexual partnerships,
we are concerned that they may feel seriously undermined.
9. We call upon evangelical congregations to welcome and accept sexually
active homosexual people, but to do so in the expectation that they will
come in due course to see the need to change their lifestyle in
accordance with biblical revelation and orthodox church teaching. We
urge gentleness and patience in this process, and ongoing care even
after a homosexual person renounces same-sex sexual relations.
10. We commend the work of those organisations which seek to help
homosexual Christians live a celibate life, and also commend those
groups which responsibly assist homosexuals who wish to reorient to a
heterosexual lifestyle.
11. We believe habitual homoerotic sexual activity without repentance to be
inconsistent with faithful church membership. Where someone is publicly
promoting homoerotic sexual practice within a congregation, there may
be a case for more stringent disciplinary action.
12. We would resist church services of blessing for gay partnerships as
unbiblical.
I really think we should try and resist this. I realise it's hardly radical, but this man cannot be allowed to erase or halt decades of progress from LGBT comrades. I'm not sure what sort of action is appropriate though, other than boring old letter writing and e-mails. :(
-Alex
1. We recognise that all of us are sinners, and that the only true hope for
sinful people - whether homosexual or heterosexual - is in Jesus Christ.
Our earnest prayer is that his love, truth and grace would characterise
evangelical responses to debates on homosexuality, both now and in
future.
2. We affirm that monogamous heterosexual marriage is the only form of
partnership approved by God for full sexual relations today.
3. We affirm God's love and concern for all humanity, including homosexual
people, but believe homoerotic sexual practice to be incompatible with
His will as revealed in Scripture.
4. We repudiate homophobia insofar as it denotes an irrational fear or
hatred of homosexuals. We do not accept, however, that to reject
homoerotic sexual practice on biblical grounds is in itself homophobic.
5. We deeply regret the hurt caused to lesbians and gay men by the
Church's past and present hatred and rejection of them.
6. We oppose moves within certain churches to accept and/or endorse
sexually active homosexual partnerships as a legitimate form of Christian
relationship. We stand prayerfully with those in such churches who are
seeking to resist these moves on biblical grounds.
7. We oppose moves within certain churches towards permitting the
ordination of sexually active lesbians and gay men to ministry. We stand
prayerfully with those in such denominations who are seeking to resist
these moves on biblical grounds.
8. We commend and encourage those homosexual Christian people who
have committed themselves to chastity and celibacy. We believe that
such people should be eligible for ordination and leadership within the
church. Where they are members of denominations which are
considering an endorsement of sexually active homosexual partnerships,
we are concerned that they may feel seriously undermined.
9. We call upon evangelical congregations to welcome and accept sexually
active homosexual people, but to do so in the expectation that they will
come in due course to see the need to change their lifestyle in
accordance with biblical revelation and orthodox church teaching. We
urge gentleness and patience in this process, and ongoing care even
after a homosexual person renounces same-sex sexual relations.
10. We commend the work of those organisations which seek to help
homosexual Christians live a celibate life, and also commend those
groups which responsibly assist homosexuals who wish to reorient to a
heterosexual lifestyle.
11. We believe habitual homoerotic sexual activity without repentance to be
inconsistent with faithful church membership. Where someone is publicly
promoting homoerotic sexual practice within a congregation, there may
be a case for more stringent disciplinary action.
12. We would resist church services of blessing for gay partnerships as
unbiblical.
I really think we should try and resist this. I realise it's hardly radical, but this man cannot be allowed to erase or halt decades of progress from LGBT comrades. I'm not sure what sort of action is appropriate though, other than boring old letter writing and e-mails. :(
-Alex