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| Paisley pressed to apologize for "gay" remarks |  |  |  |
| UK |
| Written by Chris Perver |
| Sunday, 01 July 2007 05:43 |
| Ian Paisley Junior, son of Ian Paisley, Moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church in Northern Ireland, and now Northern Ireland's First Minister, is being pressed to apologize over his controversial remarks regarding his personal beliefs on homosexuality. Ian Paisley made the comments during an interview with a magazine journalist, in which he stated, "I am pretty repulsed by gay and lesbianism. I think it is wrong... I think that those people harm themselves and - without caring about it - harm society. That doesn't mean to say that I hate them. I mean, I hate what they do". His comments were immediately condemned by Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness, the Deputy First Minister, who stated that Ian's comments contradict what his office has sworn to uphold, the rights of minorities. Now Ian Paisley is being pressed to apologize to the homosexual community for his "crass" comments, or resign his post as a junior minister. Quote: "In a hard-hitting editorial entitled "Apologise or resign", The Gazette regretted that Mr Paisley had not yet issued an apology for his remarks despite repeated calls to do so. "His comments are a complete disgrace to the Stormont administration and reflect sheer crassness," the editorial stated. "Not only should Mr Paisley apologise but, if he cannot, he should resign as a junior minister in the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister, the department which is charged with promoting equality in Northern Ireland," it added. In January of this year, the European Union and the Blair government made it a criminal offence to "discriminate" against people of a different sexual orientation. The law was opposed by many Christian organizations on the grounds that it unfairly discriminates against those who believe homosexuality is immoral. Catholic adoption agencies warned the government they would be forced to close their premises, rather than permit children to be placed with gay couples. Through this law, Christians could end up in court for turning away homosexual and lesbian couples wanting to stay in their accommodation. Christian bookshops could also be fined if homosexuals feel intimidated by literature condemning their lifestyle. And now a minister in the government is facing calls for his resignation, over comments he made about his own personal beliefs on homosexuality. If Ian Paisley has to resign because of what he believes, then what hope do the rest of us have? Of course Satan's aim through this is to stamp out Christianity completely. "You can be a Christian, as long as you don't take your beliefs too seriously or offend anybody". Makes me wonder about what men thought of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Apostles. The Lord Jesus offended plenty of people. I mean, they tried to stone Him on several occasions, and then He went to the cross. And look at all the beatings Paul took. As the Lord said of Paul, "I will show him how great things he must suffer for My Name's sake", Acts 9:16. I think if there was ever a time when Christians ought to stand up for the truth, it would be now. I just hope that the Lord gives me help to do that. Mark 8:38 Source Independant |
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