Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007
The May 2007 Free Presbyterian Magazine contained a copy of a statement on the above subject sent by the Southern Presbytery to the then Prime Minister, Home Secretary and Scottish First Minister, drawing their attention to biblical principles governing personal relationships.
Responses received from various officials on their behalf were virtually identical. The line taken was that the Government’s decision had been informed by a wide-ranging debate and by careful consideration of the many points raised and that a right balance had been reached between the competing rights of individuals to hold and manifest a religious belief and the right to live free from discrimination. The response from 10 Downing Street made the astounding claim that “the Government’s approach will ensure that nobody will be required to act in a way that contravenes their core religious beliefs”. The others said that it “will ensure that nobody will be required to change their core religious beliefs”. At a subsequent meeting, the Presbytery agreed to convey to these politicians their dissatisfaction with the Government’s failure to take account of the arguments presented and to recognise the existence of moral absolutes.
Our legislators have rejected the religious and moral absolutes of Scripture as the touchstone to which human laws and social practices must be brought. As a result we have laws which defy God, the Christian constitution of our land, and the Bible – which our chief magistrate the Queen has sworn to uphold and govern by. Consequently those who are discriminated against are those whose “core religious beliefs” require them to live in keeping with the prescriptions of God in the Bible and the imperatives created within them by grace. Such “core religious beliefs” cannot be changed where they are sincerely held, whatever governments may decree. But it is dishonest to claim that these laws and regulations ensure that no one will be required to act in a way which contravenes them.
Adoption and fostering agencies and bed-and-breakfast establishments may be most affected by this particular legislation, but the general tendency of legislation in recent decades makes it increasingly difficult for Christians to function both conscientiously and legally in a wide range of lawful occupations. The government view is that religion is a private matter and that government is competent to determine what should be regarded as “core religious beliefs” and whether these should be allowed to determine the conduct and relationships of those who hold them.
Yet followers of religions alien to Christianity are applauded and their
religions praised as essentially beneficial, however much some of their devotees may undermine the foundations of society. At the same time, those who endeavour to pattern life and society on the principles of the Christ of the Bible are denounced as bigots whose convictions can be disregarded. “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” (Is 5:20,21). Whether the new personnel in the governing bodies of the United Kingdom and of Scotland will escape this woe is sadly doubtful, though we must ever give heed to the exhortation of 1 Timothy 2:1,2: “I exhort therefore, that . . . supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority”. HMC
Immoral Perversions
It is clear from daily experience that some people are more prone to certain sins than others are. We each have our own way of departing from God: “We have turned every one to his own way” (Is 53:6). David had his particular iniquity, which he had to watch against: “I kept myself from mine iniquity” (Ps 18:23). This principle, that each sinner has areas of special weakness, holds true with regard to the immoral perversions which have become widespread in our day. Some people are far more inclined to sins such as homosexuality and paedophilia than others. At the same time, the Word of God tells us that there is often an element of judgement in such sins. When men reject God, He may give them over to the lusts that are already in their hearts: “Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts” (Rom 1:23).
It is important to recognise, however, that all are liable to sins of this sort and indeed of every sort. No one is immune. We may say with Hazael: “Is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing?” (2 Ki 8:13), but we are warned, “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor 10:12). Robert Murray M’Cheyne said “I am tempted to think that there are some sins for which I have no natural taste, such as strong drink, profane language, etc, so that I need not fear temptation to such sins. This is a lie – a proud, presumptuous lie. The seeds of all sins are in my heart, and perhaps all the more dangerously that I do not see them.”
The way into sinful practices is often gradual. One fall into sin leads on to another; and where lust is indulged, it increases. Its nature is always to seek for some further evil gratification beyond what it has already attained. The prophet Habakkuk speaks of the man “who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied” (2:5). Doubtless it was by gradual steps that the men of Sodom and of Gibeah descended to the depths of depravity they reached (Gen 19:5; Jud 19:22).
In Britain at present, the sin of homosexuality is encouraged, whereas that of paedophilia is supposedly discouraged. We have no doubt that the promotion of homosexuality will ensnare some who would otherwise escape, but we have no expectation of success for the attempts to curb paedophilia. The steps which lead to this sin (that is, the various gradations of pornography) are legal and, as long as this remains the case, the legislation on such matters as lists of offenders and “disclosures” will prove ineffectual. What our rulers ought to do is introduce stringent laws against all pornography, and then these lists and “disclosures” should become unnecessary. But our rulers are reluctant to tackle pornography, and one reason is that the homosexual lobby is deeply involved in pornography, both for gratification and for purposes of “recruitment”. We can only pray that the Lord will remember our nation as He remembered the immoral city of Corinth in the days of the apostle Paul (Acts 18:10 with 1 Cor 6:9-11). DWBS
Judgements and Mercies
Graham Dow, Bishop of Carlisle, has been reported as stating that the recent floods which left thousands of people homeless were a judgement from God on the moral decadence of British society. “We are reaping the consequences of our moral degradation”, he said. Mr Dow, described as a leading Evangelical, said that people should heed the warning that the downfall of the Roman Empire was a consequence of its immorality. He drew particular attention to recent pro-homosexual legislation. “The Sexual Orientation Regulations are part of a general scene of permissiveness”, he said. “We are in a situation where we are liable for God’s judgement, which is intended to call us to repentance.”
We entirely concur with such a warning. At the same time we should note with profound thankfulness that God has been merciful to Britain in the foiling of the recent bombing attempts, apparently by Muslim terrorists, in London and in Glasgow. This is the third major attack in two years, and the second which has ended in complete failure. We pray that the goodness of God in this matter would lead our fellow countrymen to repentance (Rom 2:4). DWBS