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LGBT

  • 21 May 2013
    Church 'issues' are about people, not abstract ideas

    Ask anyone reporting or commenting on the 2013 General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and they will tell you that proceedings this year are being dominated by two 'issues': the reception, or otherwise, of same-sex persons in the life and ministry of the Kirk; and later this week 'The inheritance of Abraham: A report on the promised land' (which has provoked a substantial preemptive assault by the pro-Israeli government lobby, on account of its advocacy of justice for Palestinians and Jews alike).

  • 21 May 2013
    Kirk opens a door it will be very difficult to close again

    The Church of Scotland vote to allow civil partnered gay and lesbian ministers, despite no change in the official teaching on sexuality, shows that the drift towards accepting gay people in the Kirk is continuing, says Simon Barrow. Indeed, while seeking pastoral sensitivity towards their opponents, the advocates of change believe that full inclusion is now inevitable.

  • 21 May 2013
    Church of Scotland votes to allow partnered gay and lesbian ministers

    The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has voted to permit an individual Kirk Session to call a minister in a civil partnership if it so chooses.

  • 20 May 2013
    Kirk appeal for unity and respect as sexuality debate begins

    The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Rt Rev Lorna Hood, has called for respect for different views among Kirk members.

  • 13 May 2013
    Caribbean Anglican leaders: homophobia, debating sexuality, upholding human rights

    In a statement opposing same-sex unions, the House of Bishops and Standing Committee of the Church in the Province of the West Indies tried to justify persecution of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people, reports Savitri Hensman. Meanwhile human rights activists in the Caribbean and beyond continue to work for decriminalisation and protection from violence, causes that Anglicans worldwide should support.

  • 3 May 2013
    The Christian lobby group and the far-right party

    I blogged earlier this week about statements from the socially conservative lobby group Christian Concern ahead of the local elections. They encouraged people to vote for candidates opposed to same-sex marriage.

  • 1 May 2013
    Same-sex marriage and the local elections: Who thinks they're connected?

    The “Christian Right” in Britain – inasmuch as it exists – is not like the Christian Right in the US. Over there, conservatism on issues such as marriage and abortion seems to go hand in hand with right-wing views on economics and foreign policy. Over here, we have conservative Christian lobby groups with a far more narrow focus. Organisations such as the Christian Institute, Christian Concern/Christian Legal Centre and so-called Anglican Mainstream focus largely on attacking LGBT rights. They also speak out against abortion, Islam and the supposed marginalisation of Christians in Britain.

  • 11 Mar 2013
    Religious freedom and LGBT rights

    'Religious Freedom and LGBT Rights - are they compatible?' This was the title and theme of the Cutting Edge Consortium meeting in The Jubilee Room (off Westminster Hall) this evening, 11 March 2013.

  • 4 Mar 2013
    Scottish Catholic Archbishop admits 'hypocrisy' charges over sexuality

    The Catholic Archbishop of Glasgow, Philip Tartaglia, has admitted that his Church stands accused of hypocrisy over the Cardinal O'Brien affair.

  • 20 Feb 2013
    Cardinal Turkson child abuse blunder may damage papal prospects

    Cardinal Peter Turkson may have badly damaged his prospects of becoming pope by suggesting that child sexual abuse is not a major problem in churches in Africa because homosexuality is looked on negatively. The remark is not only offensive but also reveals a dangerous ignorance that may undermine attempts to protect children.