The Church of England and Homosexual “Marriage”
Following a proposal by the Bishops, the General Synod of the Church of England has agreed to introduce the blessing of “same-sex marriages” into the Church, by 250 votes to 181. The Archbishop of Canterbury was quite open that this is a halfway house to the performing of homosexual “marriages” by the Church of England. Like the Church of Scotland, the Church of England has been under prolonged pressure to give full endorsement to homosexuality. The Church of Rome too has moved a long way in that direction under the present Pope.
The Bible is abundantly clear that all homosexual conduct and desire are forbidden by God. The special creation of Eve as the wife for Adam established the Divine pattern of one man and one woman; and the destruction of Sodom and the express prohibitions of Leviticus confirmed that all departures from this are “abomination”: “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination” (18:22); “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them” (20:13). This teaching is explained and reinforced in several places in the New Testament (Rom 1:24-25; 1 Tim 1:10; 2 Pet 2:6-8; Rev 22:15).
By analogy with true marriage, it might be thought that homosexual “marriage” is less objectionable than homosexual promiscuity, but the reverse is the case. The bold and public defiance of the God-given rules of human society which vaunts itself in homosexual “marriage” is more of an affront to God and to man than the shameful, and usually secret, indulging of homosexual lust. The latter may show some shame and some regard for normal society; the other none at all. In blessing homosexual “marriage”, the Church of England will be blessing homosexuality in its most obnoxious form. In the secular world, many of those who accepted homosexuality have been given up to transgender madness, and this may be the next step for the bishops of the Church of England. Like Jannes and Jambres, “their folly shall be manifest unto all men” (2 Tim 3:9).
DWBS
Diversity in Society
The UK’s long history of receiving immigrants has been beneficial in some ways and has certainly resulted in a diverse society. Currently, however, a new diversity, that of sexual orientation, is being relentlessly foisted on a compliant population and made to appear as a “new normal”.
Evidence that this diversity is not the norm comes from the 2021 Census for England and Wales, which asked a voluntary question on sexual orientation. According to the Office for National Statistics, of the 44.9 million people who completed the question, 1.5 million people, that is, 3.3%, identified as LGB+ orientation (the response options included “gay or lesbian”, “bisexual” or “other sexual orientation”). The other 43.4 million people, 96.7% of the respondents, identified as heterosexual.
While every person should be treated with respect, and 1.5 million is a large number of people, those identifying as LGB+ are nevertheless a very small minority of the total population. Why then is there such a determined effort to promote and normalise non-heterosexual behaviour and lifestyle choices among the general population? Why is there such a push to introduce, so-called family fluidity and diversity teaching into our schools? Why have so many organisations been persuaded by the Stonewall organisation to adopt policies which aggressively promote the LGBT+ agenda? Why are so many employees cowed into toeing what is now becoming the official line regarding LGBT+ rights, and being required to promote preferred personal pronouns? Free speech is shackled because voicing a contrary opinion is regarded as bigotry and hatred. Our legislators and, to some extent, the police have proved to be useful minions in furthering the cause.
Not even the laissez-faire attitude of “live and let live” will suffice, people are expected positively and actively to embrace the sexual-diversity agenda. Whatever is the answer to these questions, it is evident that the current approach is heavily over-weighted in favour of a small but very vocal minority. This is distorting the way that the overwhelming majority would prefer society to function. The nation is meekly acquiescing in the undermining of “normal” society, common sense, our Christian heritage and, most importantly, God’s moral law. How much we should fear the consequences. But we may still pray, “Turn Thou us unto Thee, O Lord, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old”.
FRD
Church Information
Presbytery Meeting (DV)
Southern: At Glasgow, on Tuesday, March 28, at 2 pm.
Jewish & Foreign Missions Fund
By appointment of Synod, the first of the year’s two special collections for the Jewish & Foreign Missions Fund, is due to be taken in congregations during March.
W Campbell, General Treasurer
Acknowledgement of Donations
The General Treasurer acknowledges with sincere thanks the following donations:
College & Library Fund: Friends from Australia, £200; Anon, Canada, £250.
Eastern Europe Fund: Anon, for winter fuel / where most needed for Odessa congregation, £250; Friends from Australia, £75; Mr N Pearce, Cmyru, for Odessa congregation, £140.
General Fund: Friend, St Andrews, £1000.
Jewish & Foreign Missions Fund: Anon, £2000 per Rev KMW; Friends from Australia, for the work of the gospel in Zimbabwe, £225; Mr N Pearce, Cmyru, for diaconal aid for Zimbabwe Mission, £140.
Congregational Treasurers acknowledge with sincere thanks the following donations:
Bracadale College & Library Fund: Anon, £100.
Inverness: Bus Fund: Anon, £20, £20, £20, £20. Sustentation Fund: Miss NM, £240. Where Most Needed: AM, £200 per Rev KDM.
Lochcarron: Anon, Odessa, for the upkeep of Lochcarron Manse, £200.
North Tolsta: Anon, In memory of my beloved parents, Miller 19, £1000; Anon, In memory of beloved parents, £20; Anon, £100, £1000. Door Collection: Anon, £80, £40, £100, £160.