CIVIL PARTNERSHIP SCANDAL

Sir, - May I make an English contribution to the civil partnership scandal in the Church of Ireland? Contrary to the perverted views of today’s ‘gay’ prophets, I reject the spurious notion that homosexuality is a valid and acceptable ‘orientation’. As a sinful perversion, it is a ‘disorientation’ by God’s standards.

In Bible times, homosexuality was widespread. However, it was never legalized in the Roman Empire. Today, secular governments promote an acceptance of this shameful moral evil. The present UK government is utterly hypocritical. On one hand, it is concerned to protect children from paedophiles, while on the other, it promotes sexually-perverted education of children as young as seven years in the classroom!

Today’s liberal élite in church as well as politics is driven by ‘politically correct’ decadence. They have capitulated to secular immorality. They have flouted God’s Word. However, authentic Bible-based Christians have always identified homosexuality as a forbidden lifestyle. True, sexual sins are not the only sins. But they are still sins—violations of God’s holy will for human living in deed and desire.

As the Good news of God’s salvation in Christ was preached by the early Christians, many—including homosexuals—were converted and changed. The early churches had many penitent homosexuals among them. Ex-sodomites sat alongside ex-fornicators, ex-adulterers, ex-drunkards and ex-thieves. This is clearly reflected in the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church, a ‘re-born’ community within a corrupt coastal city (see 1 Cor. 6: 9-11).

If we think Paul was wrong on the ‘unnatural’ sin of sodomy (a threat along with ‘natural’ fornication and adultery to family values), should we not be consistent and reject all that he laments? But then we would allow drunkards and thieves to pursue their ‘orientation’ with impunity (and it’s bad enough already). How crazy! There’d be chaos!

More importantly, to persist in any sin without repentance is the surest way to be damned by God in everlasting hell. Such is still the teaching of Jesus! Likewise, the surest way to enjoy God’s eternal salvation is to turn from sin and receive His forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Remember, God is merciful. He delights to save not condemn (see John 3: 16). Many ex-homosexuals today rejoice in His saving and changing grace. This is what church leaders should be proclaiming, not denying God’s truth and destroying the moral foundations of society in the process.

Yours faithfully,

The Revd Dr Alan C. Clifford
Norwich Reformed Church
7 Woodside Park
ATTLEBOROUGH, Norfolk
NR17 2JL UK
Tel: 01953-453803