The SORs: make up your own mind!

The final vote on the Sexual Orientation Regulations will be taken in the House of Lords tomorrow night (Wednesday, 21st March).  Because of the way the legislative process has worked in this instance, the regulations can only be accepted or rejected in their entirety, not amended in any way.  The SORs have caused great controversy and been subject to strong opposition from some parts of the media.

It remains to be seen which way the vote will go, but many Christians are still confused and concerned about how they might be affected if the legislation is passed.  Faithworks has previously engaged with this issue, and back in January we presented an alternative Christian viewpoint, welcoming the regulations as a way of ensuring goods and services are delivered inclusively and in non-discriminatory ways.  We stand by what we have said.

Today we have issued a guidance document that answers some of the questions that are still concerning many Christians in the UK, such as:
- will my vicar be forced to bless same-sex partnerships?
- will my church have to let out its hall to a group promoting homosexual practice?
You can view this document by clicking here, and you are welcome to forward this document to others concerned if you feel that would be helpful.

We are confident that the SORs will not pose a threat to distinctive Christian identity.

But don't just take our word for it!  The guidance document also has links to the legislation itself, as well as to other government documents summarising what the implications for faith groups will be.

Please do read this information for yourself, and let me know what you think....

Comments

[Jill Armstead]

To take a different approach, let me tell you about two men who are not gay but perceived to be so by their workmates. The first suffered homophobic verbal abuse day in day out until he he became ill and unable to work. The second was pinned down by four workmates and his private parts daubed with a corrosive cleaning agent. Help is now at hand for the two men - but Christians must understand why homosexual people need the protection of the law - and why we must educate ourselves about the true nature of the problem - and be Jesus in our daily lives. The Regs also protect people who are discriminated against because they are perceived to be gay, or who suffer discrimination because a member of their family, or a close friend is gay.

[Simon Icke]

SOR DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS WED 21.03.07 ONLY 4 BISHOPS BOTHERED TO TURN UP!

Can you believe it, one of the most controversial moral issues facing the country in recent years and only 4 bishops decided to turn up! Thank God for the Archbishop of York and his two Bishop supporters but shame on the rest! The other Bishops should be ashamed of their cowardice and negligence in the course of their duties in defending the Christian Faith when it really mattered in Great Britain today.

The reality....Bishops are running scared of this secular / atheistic Government, they couldn't face up and stand and being counted on this controversial but very important moral issue...their cowardice is shameful..and these people are supposed to be the Christian leaders of our nation! God help us all.

In view of this cowardice......

The best thing that could happen for Christianity in the UK is for the Anglican Church to break free from the state. Then we could sort out the real Christians from the pretenders and disturb the comfort zones of the Anglican Bishops, Clergy and lay members who are only involved with the church for the status and the state privileges and comforts that go with it. I hope these hangers on leave in droves when the Anglican Church breaks free from the Government's secular control.

The Christian tree in the UK has needed pruning of it's dead wood for many many years!

[Rupert Ward]

Simon, the trouble with the logic of your last comment is that there are some "real Christians" who could ascribe to say the EA statement of faith, who have a real and personal relationship with Jesus, who fundamentally disagree with you and your position on the SORs.

I think many people aren't as scared of this government and their supporters, as they are scared of the response from other Christians who lambaste them for their "liberal views".

Please, you may not agree with Christians who support the SORs, but lets disagree with grace and kindness!

[Brian Craven]

Malcolm
MANY thanks yet again for your robust blog, which so reflect your heart & mind!
As far as the SORs - also the Equality and Gender Recogniton Bills - I can't find ANY factual evidence or objective reason to explain why any of this legislation was required.
This begs the question why the regulations have been introduced, each against considerable concerns, and some at least introduced in something of a questionable manner - eg: pushed thro' on Budget Day!
If the regulations have been so widely misunderstood, then the style & manner of their introduction only supports fears that there is another unknown, agenda at work.
The increasing difficulty that faith-based (especially local Christian) groups have in accessing public sector funding for open access services is, perhaps, indicative of the economic climate?
On the other hand, it may be a fairly rampant secular / humanist agenda .......... or a combination of the 2.
Given that faith groups contribute such a large part of VolCom contribution - eg: 2 x the number of public sector youth workers - then surely you have to ask why?
While HMG is so committed to to social integration & community cohesion, so much that it does only emphasises differences, polarising opinion & behaviour!
That the opportunites are so great only doubles the tragedy of current events.
Kindest regards as aye
Brian

[Glenn Piper]

Okay, simple question for you Malcolm. Do you think it exceptable to hand children over to gay couples for adoption?
And, if so, on what Biblical basis?
I would also not agree with handing children over to unmarried heterosexual couples for adoption, on the basis that if they can't commit to each other by marrying how can they be prepared to commit to the future welfare of the children they are trying to adopt?
I am not saying that being married and heterosexual automatically makes you ideal to adopt, but it is definitely a better starting point.
In case you were wondering, I consider homosexuals the same way I would consider any other sinner - in desperate need of redemption through Jesus Christ.

[Simon Icke]

It seems at least Cardinal Cormac Murhpy - O'Connor agrees with me!

Check out the link to Steve Doughty's Article in today's Daily Mail.

Excellent article in todays Daily Mail. Thursday 29 March Page 19. It's gay rights laws that are intolerant, says Cardinal.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=445280&in_page_id=1770

I have been campaigning on this issue for the last three months, indeed I was one of the original protesters outside the House of Lords on Tuesday 9 January 2007 and was interviewed by Times religious Correspondent Ruth Gledhill a copy of that interview is now on the Times SOR Religion Blog and also on YouTube. I have written to many newspapers and appeared on many websites debating the unfairness of these new SORS.

TIMES SOR BLOG AND YOUTUBE INTERVIEW

http://timescolumns.typepad.com/gledhill/2007/01/christians_torc.html

If you would like to read some of my statements. Please just do a search for SIMON ICKE SORS I think you will find some of my views interesting and useful if you do any further writing on this subject.

Regards

Simon

[Simon Icke]

In view of my outspoken previous comments about the SORs on your site, perhaps an explanation of where I stand as a Christian might be of interest and why I feel as I do about the SORs. I hope this helps?

Many unbelievers and liberal Christians make such assumptions about what they think Christians like myself think and why we take such a stand on being so strongly against these new sexual orientation regulations (SORS). I cannot speak for others but I can honestly say my philosophy of life is simple: I look up to no one and I look down to no one. I see everyone as my equal, I try and look for the good in my fellow man or woman no matter who they are. I hate no one and I try and show Christian love to everyone. I cannot be self righteous or believe I am better than anyone. As I am a sinner like everyone else, it is not by what I say or do that brings my salvation, but the price Jesus Christ paid for me on a cross at Calvary. He gave his life for me a sinner, even though I am not worthy. It is only by His unconditional love, amazing grace and mercy that I am saved from death and reconciled to God, my Father in Heaven. Therefore with humility I try and live my life and help others where I can. But as a Christian I also believe in justice and truth, which includes all people being treated fairly and with equal justice. It is my sincere belief that these ill thought out SORS do not achieve that. In the Government's zeal to try and be fair to gays they have either deliberately or by default discriminated against Christians and people of other faiths, making new laws that show no respect whatsoever for peoples deep held faith, beliefs and values. In a democracy it should be justice and fairness for all not just a vociferous militant minority.

[Patrick]

Thank you Malcolm for your helpful writings which have encouraged me to keep trusting that the church can rise above folly.

> sexual ethics are only one area where people fall short of God's best ... gluttony ... and a thousand other things are all equally sinful.

I agree, and I guess that different people would write different lists of sins. For example, bearing in mind how seriously biblical law regards negligence (e.g. the goring ox, Exodus 21:29) I would argue that habitual speeding is similar to homosexual practice.

The "gluttony" catches me out as I snack too often.

best wishes,
Patrick

[Patrick]

> wrong that a guest house owner cannot refuse because of his/her beliefs to let a double bedded room

And maybe he sees another guest carrying five packets of chocolate biscuits to his room and suspects that he may be planning to indulge in gluttonous practices?

And those are only the more visible sins!

regards,
Patrick