Hate Mail

I’ve been watching some of the Channel 4 stuff this week about the 40th anniversary of the decriminalization of homosexuality in England. (In England, Channel 4 – only in England).

One of the questions which has repeatedly been raised in this programming strand is whether there is really any problem for people being gay these days. After all, gay people have protection in the law and the worst kinds of homophobia are gone now, aren’t they?

Then I get this letter today, from someone who looks back with some fondness upon the time when there would have been actual violence in the streets against gay people parading themselves about. It is in relation to the broadcast that we did from St Mary’s recently, and particularly my sermon.

My correspondent writes:

Sir,

Sunday AM Broadcast Radio 4 – 01.07.07

I am shocked to heave heard your broadcast comment, that in the list of gatherings where you stated that the Holy Spirit would be – you included a “gay parade”!

I believe your comments are a disgrace and again a subtle promotion of homosexuality as an alternative life style. Where is your regard for the Word of God in Holy Scriptures?

It is a pity you cannot join the Bishops of Carlisle and Liverpool in their courageous stand against the decadence and Hellenistic trends in society, which are bringing God’s judgement upon the earth! Are you spiritually blind that you cannot see what is happening, when we come to the fact that British Policemen actually guard men parading in London’s main thoroughfare in female underwear! Years ago they would have been lynched.

Unlike you, I would give the opinion that the Holy Spirit is absent from such homosexual rendezvous.

Yours in absolute disgust, …