SHAMEFUL SERVICE IN BELFAST CHURCH

In a further reminder of how far certain sections of the professing church have departed from Biblical truth, a service to celebrate homosexuality was held in St George's Church of Ireland in Belfast city centre in May. It was part of the "International Day Against Homophobia" and had as its theme, "Don't Throw Stones". Organisers said it was an important step in protecting the interests of Northern Ireland's gay community.

The rector of St George's, Rev Brian Stewart, said people were supportive of the service. "To protest against homophobia which is the irrational hatred of gay people is no less or no more significant than a protest against anti-semitism," he said. "If we can, as a church, stand up and say that hatred of Jewish people is wrong, we must stand up and say that hatred of gay and lesbian people is wrong as well."  Mr Charles Kenny, a member of Changing Attitude Ireland, which works for a welcome to all sorts of people including gay people in the Church, was also present. "I participated in the first ordination of a woman into the Church of Ireland," he said. "When I was a little boy, I wouldn't have expected to live long enough for that. There is evolution all the time. This is another bulwark that has to be won." 

Whatever bulwarks he might win or wish to win, he will never succeed in overcoming the bulwark of Biblical truth. God's Word, in both the Old and New Testaments, makes it very clear that homosexuality is an abomination in the sight of God. No amount of revisionism or semantic somersaulting by the advocates of homosexuality within the church can change that fundamental fact.