Pride month and the LGBT assault

‘Straight’ staff at the BBC will be isolated by new recommendations

The Equalities Commission will not have its cake, nor will it eat it.

In a rare win for freedom of expression, Belfast bakers Daniel and Amy McArthur have been exonerated by the UK Supreme Court of any liability, after refusing to bake a cake promoting gay marriage.

Four years of this high-profile legal battle have exposed the gross injustices of Britain’s ‘hate laws’. Well done to these two steadfast Christians for refusing to give in to the state bullies who have wrongly accused them. This is a real victory!

It is frightening that this case had to go all the way to the Supreme Court to get a verdict that plain common sense should have delivered instantly. It has also exposed the bias of the so-called ‘Equality Commission’ in Northern Ireland (ECNI) – a supposedly ‘independent’, publicly-funded body dedicated to promoting ‘equality’ and ‘human rights’. Here, effectively, is an arm of the state colluding with the LGBTQ+ lobby to punish ordinary citizens and small businesses for failing to affirm LGBTQ+ ideology, wasting £250,000 of tax-payers’ money in the process.¹

But despite these things, the verdict should still be a real cause for celebration. It is not an ‘offensive’ win, taking legal ground back for ‘Christendom’, but it is a landmark ‘defensive’ win, ensuring Christians’ continued freedom to refuse to partake in and affirm the sinful beliefs and practices of this generation.

Freedom for Conscience

Had it gone the other way, it would effectively have spelled the end of freedom of conscience, especially in the sphere of trade, setting a legal precedent for the state to enforce independent businesses to affirm values with which they disagree profoundly. It is therefore a win that should benefit everyone, not just Christians, as Daniel McArthur emphasised to the press after the judgment was given:

The judges have given a clear signal today. In fact, it couldn’t be clearer. Family businesses like ours are free to focus on giving all their customers the best service they can – without being forced to promote other people’s campaigns.

I know a lot of people will be very glad of this ruling today, because this ruling protects freedom of speech and freedom of conscience for everyone.²

By contrast, the ECNI revealed its contempt for the idea of individual freedom of conscience in its post-judgment statement, saying “There is a concern…that the beliefs of business owners may take precedence over a customer’s equality rights, which in our view is contrary to what the legislature intended”.³ Those in charge of equality law enforcement obviously consider their own brand of morality to be incontrovertible; they brook no dissent- and they don’t think that the courts should, either.

Had the judgment gone the other way, it would effectively have spelled the end of freedom of conscience, especially in the sphere of trade.

The Battle Underneath

Underlying the Ashers case is a deep conflict between the freedoms brought about by Judeo-Christian values – the vestiges of which still linger in Britain’s institutions and culture - and the secular humanist values of equality law, which promise freedom but tend towards tyranny.

This latter worldview has been encroaching on Britain for decades, helped along by the commandeering of positive-sounding words like ‘justice’, ‘freedom’ and ‘equality’. Instead of ‘equality’ meaning the dignity that should be afforded to all humans because they are made in God’s image, regardless of their personal beliefs, ‘equality’ has been co-opted to mean enforced compliance with an atheistic, sexually licentious worldview.

This kind of ‘equality’ is grounded in a rejection of the God of the Bible and his created order, and a devaluation of individual freedoms for the ‘greater good’.

Behind this again are spiritual forces of darkness aiming to thwart the salvation of millions by (a) promoting and seeking to compel ungodly beliefs and behaviours, and (b) working to shut down and punish godly behaviours and responses. In the Ashers case, both of these spiritual strategies have been in play. The McArthurs have come under enormous pressure to compromise their own convictions and bow to the spirit of the age.

But – praise the Lord – this time, the attempt to shut down Christian witness has backfired spectacularly. The Supreme Court’s verdict shows that there may yet be hope for our institutions. Even more deliciously, the case has afforded Daniel and Amy many opportunities to testify in front of national reporters and TV cameras to God’s goodness and truth, which they have done with grace, dignity and evident faith:

Victoria Jones/PA Wire/PA ImagesI want to start by thanking God. He has been with us during the challenges of the last four years. Through the Bible and the support of Christians, He has comforted us and sustained us. "He is our rock and all His ways are just.”

We're delighted and relieved at today's ruling. We always knew we hadn't done anything wrong in turning down this order. After more than four years, the Supreme Court has now recognised that and we're very grateful. Grateful to the judges and especially grateful to God.⁴

Praise the Lord – this time, the attempt to shut down Christian witness has backfired spectacularly.

The Light Shines

The victory and the witness are both enormously refreshing. The McArthurs have tasted the truth of Isaiah 54:17: “’no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,’ declares the Lord.”

But just as heartening is the amount of public support the couple has received, including from surprising quarters such as gay activist Peter Tatchell. Tatchell does not agree with the McArthurs’ beliefs, but vehemently defends their right to hold them without fear of punishment, understanding that vital freedoms are at stake. Tatchell joins a growing crowd - like the lesbians protesting trans ideology, and the students rejecting an inherited university culture of alcoholic excess (see last week’s editorial) - who seem to be realising that Britain’s culture change has gone too far. Though they may not understand fully, they can see that society is risking self-destruction and the loss of many hard-fought, hard-won freedoms.

Perhaps (I certainly hope) we are seeing the beginnings of a backlash against the seemingly relentless erosion of Judeo-Christian values in Britain. The war is certainly not over - God apparently still stands ready to intervene for his precious saints, granting continued freedom to the whole nation in the process. Who knows, we may yet see some unlikely characters joining the fight for freedom before long.

Meanwhile, we can pray that the McArthurs’ testimony bears abundant spiritual fruit. When believers stand their ground, graciously but firmly, against the attacks of the enemy, sometimes they are granted worldly victory and vindication - sometimes not. But God will never let their witness go to waste:

Look, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. But beware of men; for they will hand you over to their councils and flog you in their synagogues…But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to respond or what to say. In that hour you will be given what to say. For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you…

…Therefore, everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven. (Matthew 10:16-33)

Notes

1 DUP MP Ian Paisley has written to the secretary of state for Northern Ireland in the aftermath of the Ashers ruling, calling for a review into the ECNI’s funding.

2 Watch Daniel’s full statement here (1 min 50).

3 Read the full ECNI statement here.

4 See note 3.

Truth has stumbled in the streets – and in the pulpits.

For the second week running the BBC on its Radio Four Sunday programme interviewed a young woman who had been an evangelical and then changed her beliefs to become a homosexual.

It would appear that the BBC has got its researchers scouring the land for these unusual specimens to make a big display of presenting them as part of its programme of normalising the abnormal. Every programme from quiz shows and entertainment to soap operas and documentaries must have its token LGBTQ+ representative.

For the past 20 years the BBC has been infiltrated by LGBTQ+ people who now make up a significant percentage of the staff.¹ Their influence can be seen every day in programmes and reporting. Our official state broadcasting service has effectively been taken over by a powerful lobby group who, although only representing 1.7% of the population, are determined to force their views on the rest of society by brainwashing the nation.

I listened to the programme with my usual analytical antennae raised high; even so, I was shocked to hear some of the things claimed by a young woman who said she had been an evangelical until the age of 35. She had written many popular worship songs but she had always struggled with her sexuality until after a nervous breakdown she was counselled by a liberal theologian who helped her to read the Bible in a different way, so now she is happy to tell the world that she is a homosexual.

But the thing that really shocked me was that she said that she had since talked with Archbishop Justin Welby who encouraged her to apply for ordination, saying that she would be just the kind of clergy that he wants to see in the Church of England. So now we have not only the state broadcasting service but also the state Church promoting LGBTQ+ agendas!

Now we have not only the state broadcasting service but also the state Church promoting LGBTQ+ agendas!

Friendship with the World

This is not the first time the Archbishop has said similar things. He told the Church Synod last year that he wanted the Church to become “more inclusive” (code for more open to compromising with secular humanists, other religions and the LGBTQ+ lobby) and he wrote to all CofE primary schools telling the teachers to encourage the children to cross-dress if they wanted, in order to prepare them for the kind of world in which they are growing up. It would appear that the Archbishop’s objective is to make the Church acceptable to the world.

This is surely the exact opposite of the Gospel of Jesus Christ where the object is to transform the world, not to befriend the world! Jesus said, “I have come to bring fire on the earth…Do you think that I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division” (Luke 12:49).

The plain fact is that the Gospel offends the world. It brings division because those who love the world and its values hate the values of the Kingdom of God (James 4:4). The Gospel offends the world because the world hates truth. If the Church seeks friendship with the world, the Church ceases to proclaim the Gospel!

Denying the Nature of God

Of course, there is a cost to discipleship. There always was and there always will be. The 3^rd Century Church leader Tertullian said that ‘The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church’.² The Christian Church was born in blood, which is both a theological and an historical statement.

The Roman Empire persecuted the Church and cruelly executed Christians because they could see that the Christians were proclaiming a Gospel that was diametrically opposed to the values of the Roman world. Once the Church begins to compromise with the world it ceases to declare the word of God and it ceases to be the bearer of truth.

It would appear that the Archbishop’s objective is to make the Church acceptable to the world.

Truth is an essential part of the very nature of God. Isaiah recognised this when he heard God say “I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare what is right” (Isa 45:19). And Jesus said “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). He described the Holy Spirit who would come from the Father as “the spirit of truth” (John 14:16). But the world hates truth because it exposes the evil and corruption of its ways.

When truth and its associated values of justice and righteousness are abandoned, disaster falls upon that nation. There is a telling verse in Isaiah 59: “Justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter. Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey” (v14). This is exactly what has happened in Britain over the past two or three decades. Once you abandon truth, you put yourself outside the protection of God and disaster soon follows: hence the mess we are in today.

Truth Turned Upside-Down

But it is not only the politicians and the media who are peddling fake news and corrupt values. We now have the Archbishop of Canterbury as head of the state Church saying that a lesbian woman is just the kind of clergy the Church of England needs!!

Does he not realise the terrible damage he is doing to family and marriage by promoting the LGBTQ+ agenda? Truth has indeed not only stumbled in the streets, but in the pulpits of the Church of England under a disastrous Archbishop. Has he not read the Scripture: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness”?

You cannot turn truth upside-down without incurring the wrath of God and that goes for archbishops as much as it does for corrupt politicians and greedy businessmen. Back in the 1980s in Prophecy Today we criticised Archbishop Robert Runcie for promoting New Age teaching and liberal unbelief. We said we could not imagine a worse Archbishop – maybe we were wrong!

Truth has indeed not only stumbled in the streets, but in the pulpits of the Church of England under a disastrous Archbishop.

We are all accountable to God for our lives and those who carry great responsibility should take the greatest care to guard the truth. If the Archbishop leads the Church of England further into apostasy, he will be depriving the nation of a potential prophetic voice that could yet declare the truth in an age of scepticism and corruption. He will surely be held accountable before God.

Signs of Revival?

Many ordinary people across Britain are aware that the nation is in a mess. Even some newspapers are recognising that the nation is in trouble, with everything from political chaos, collapsing social systems (NHS) and rising mental health problems, to knife crime, drugs and gang warfare among young people.

What the nation desperately needs is a prophetic voice to declare that we have abandoned the word of the Lord and we are reaping the consequences! Church leaders need to declare the word of the Lord with simple direct authority and the Archbishop should lead the way.

If the institutional Church (not the true ekklesia of God) fails to lead in preaching the Gospel, God will bypass it and raise up prophetic voices elsewhere: as John the Baptist said, “I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.” It may be God’s intention to raise up a grassroots movement by putting his word into the mouths of the faithful remnant of believers. This would fulfil the wish of Moses who said, “I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!” (Num 11:29).

Guide to Christian Workers

Give us a watchword for the hour,

A thrilling word, a word of power;

A battle cry, a flaming breath,

A call to conquest or to death;

A word to rouse the church from rest,

To heed the Master’s high behest.

The call is given, ye hosts arise,

The watchword is EVANGELIZE!

To fallen men, a dying race,

Make known the gift of gospel grace.

The world that now in darkness lies,

O Church of Christ, EVANGELIZE!

(Our thanks to reader Penny Rutter for submitting to us this verse, taken from the back of her Bible)

References

1 11.5% of bosses and 10.6% of staff, surpassing an 8% quota. See here.

2 Original quote: “We multiply whenever we are mown down by you; the blood of Christians is seed.” Apologeticus 50, s.13.

The Ashers Bakery case goes to the Supreme Court.

This week, the Supreme Court left its usual place in London and has been sitting in Belfast to hear a case that has fundamental significance for the future of free speech in Britain. The Ashers Bakery case dates back to 2014 when an LGBT activist ordered a cake from the bakery with a message in the icing stating "Support Gay Marriage".

The owners of the bakery, Daniel and Amy MacArthur, who are committed Christians, refused to do this on the ground that it was against their beliefs. The initial judgment found that they were guilty of ‘discrimination’ and this was affirmed by the Court of Appeal. The case has now gone to the Supreme Court, but the Northern Ireland Attorney General, John Larkin QC, has already expressed his own opinion that the Court of Appeal was wrong in their judgment.

The case has attracted an enormous amount of interest because of its significance for our cherished freedom of speech. The central question is whether the law can force someone to make a statement that they do not believe.

The Law vs. Freedom of Speech

Does the law have the power to force a Catholic to make a statement criticising the Pope? Does the law have the power to force a Muslim to make a statement that is insulting to Mohammed? Does the law have the power to force any citizen to make a statement that is directly against his or her personal convictions?

This is a question that, for Christians, goes back 2,000 years to the time of the Roman Emperor Domitian in the year AD 95 when all citizens were required, on a certain day, to go to the local shrine dedicated to the Emperor and say "Caesar is Lord".

The case has attracted an enormous amount of interest because of its significance for our cherished freedom of speech.

Emperor Domitian.The Apostle John was in exile on the island of Patmos when he had a remarkable spiritual experience on the very day, known as ‘Lord's day’ (Rev 1:10), when he knew that many of his Christian friends would be signing their own death warrants by refusing to make a statement which would deny the Lordship of Jesus.

For the MacArthurs, being forced to make a statement declaring support for homosexual marriage, which the Bible declares to be "detestable” to God (Lev 18:22) would be equivalent to denying their faith in the God of Creation and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It would be the modern equivalent of saying "Caesar is Lord" and denying the Lordship of Jesus.

Significance for Equality Law

But there are significant legal aspects as well as moral aspects to this case, which is no doubt the reason why the five judges are not expected to announce their decision before the autumn and it may even be delayed to the beginning of next year. Their judgment has profound significance for the future of the Equality Commission and the interpretation of equality law in Britain.

This case is creating panic, not only among LGBTQ+ supporters but across the whole left-wing postmodernist philosophical camp, which has been driving the movement for social change and social engineering in the nation since the 1960s.

Suddenly, there is fear gripping the far-left political elite that they have gone too far, too quickly. They have had enormous success in achieving their objectives since the publication of the Gay Manifesto in 1972 declaring the LGBTQ+ intention of destroying the ‘family’ as the central pillar in the Judeo-Christian structure of the nation.

The judgment will have profound significance for the future of the Equality Commission and the interpretation of equality law in Britain.

The Idol of Equality

They have succeeded, probably beyond their wildest dreams, in persuading the nation that the supreme ethical values in society are ‘equality’ and ‘tolerance’ – that all ethical judgments should be taken at the bar of ‘equality’.

Hence, postmodernists have even succeeded in changing the legal definition of marriage by framing it as an issue of ‘equality’. This worshipping of equality is a recycling of Marxism, which falsely assumes that enforced equality will lead to justice and a better world. Jordan Peterson rightly calls postmodernism the “new skin that the old Marxism now inhabits”.¹

Marxism was totally discredited through the fiasco of Communism last century, but it didn’t disappear entirely - later reappearing under the guise of postmodernism, trying yet again to force upon the population the flagship lie of ‘equality’.

But forcing a Christian baker to declare his support for gay marriage may prove to be a step too far which could cause the whole of their false edifice of society to collapse. It is like pulling out a single brick from the base of the Tower of Babel, sending a shockwave right through its structure that brings the whole lot down!

Enough is Enough

The central tragedy of recent history over the past half-century is that neither Church leaders nor politicians have understood the philosophy of postmodernism, with its objectives of destroying Judeo-Christian civilisation. The great question facing us now is: will there be a great awakening of common sense among ordinary people in the general public before it is too late?

The central tragedy of recent history is that neither Church leaders nor politicians have understood that postmodernism seeks to destroy Judeo-Christian civilisation.

Will ordinary people arise and say, "Enough is Enough! We do not want to be driven by Big Brother political correctness. We cherish our freedom of speech and we will not let our children be educated in schools that brainwash them in the false values of ‘equality and tolerance’ and ‘political correctness’.”

Is it too late to reclaim the nation from the clutches of those who wish to destroy Western civilisation?

To the Church of Sardis

The Apostle John had a message for the Christians in Sardis who were facing persecution by the Roman Empire. He warned "You have a reputation for being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die” (Rev 3:1-2). The alternative was that their names would be blotted out of the Book of Life.

The warning signs are there today for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear. If we do not wake up soon and challenge those who are driving the nation towards self-destruction, we and our children and grandchildren will perish in the forthcoming holocaust of social destruction.

That destruction has already begun, the evidence of which can be seen all around us, in the breakdown of the family and the consequent rise in crimes of violence, lawlessness and corruption. But this is only the beginning – unless we wake up!

References

1 Jordan B Peterson, Postmodernism and Cultural Marxism. Interview, The Epoch Times, 6 July 2017.

Journalist under fire for asking awkward questions about a baby

As the great shaking of British society continues to turn our values upside-down, the Daily Mail has managed to seriously ruffle feathers with some elephant-in-the-room questions few have the guts to ask.

Richard Littlejohn, in last week’s Friday column,¹ has done us all a favour by tackling the ludicrous news that Olympic diver Tom Daley and his ‘husband’ are having a baby, focusing particularly on the fact that no mention is made of a mother (presumably the possessor of the womb featured in the much-publicised ultrasound scan) or who the actual father is.

The New Normal?

His great offence was no doubt in challenging fellow scribes to stop pretending this kind of relationship is the ‘new normal’. At any rate, he has succeeded in raising hackles to such an extent that major companies, including Honda, Morrison’s supermarket and the chemist chain Boots, withdrew their advertising.

Littlejohn also stated his belief “that children benefit most from being brought up by a man and a woman”.

I only hope the Mail stands by their writer, though I suspect editors may have their eyes blurred by pound signs, and thus be tempted to rein in one of the finest journalists among the fast-disappearing old school representing a press that was truly free to express its views.

The Truth Provokes Uproar

Most, if not all, of our treasured freedoms in this land are the product of our great Judeo-Christian heritage. So why are we (the Church) leaving it to secular journalists like Littlejohn and Melanie Phillips to do our ‘dirty’ work – i.e. taking the flak for challenging the accepted new norms of society.

Where is the Christian voice today? Where is the courage once displayed by Christian martyrs who willingly died for their faith?

Christians have historically been known for straight talking in addressing controversial social and other issues which was hardly surprising because they were following One who dared to accuse religious leaders of hypocrisy – in fact he compared them to “whitewashed tombs”, looking pristine on the surface but full of dead men’s bones (Matt 23:27).

The Gospel truth has always provoked uproar – often because it affects people’s pockets – as several instances in the Acts of the Apostles (the Bible’s account of the early Church) testify. Many businesses of the time were built on the backs of idolatry (i.e. worship of rival gods).

And in more recent times, William Wilberforce had to overcome decades of fierce opposition to his anti-slavery campaign because so much big money had depended on it.

People-Pleasing Church

Where is the Christian voice today? Where is the courage once displayed by Christian martyrs who willingly died for their faith? After all, these issues strike at the very heart of what the Gospel stands for – marriage, family, relationships (with God and one another).

But, for the most part, we remain silent and walk by on the other side of the road letting the ‘Good Samaritan’ tend to the wounds of society. Jesus, in his famous parable, deliberately chose a Samaritan (of mixed race and despised by Jews of the time) as the one who rescued the man beaten up by robbers.

With too few exceptions, many of us in the Church have become men-pleasers, not God-pleasers. If Jesus had been more concerned with appealing to men than in carrying out his Father’s will, he would not have died on the Cross and we would have been left with neither hope nor salvation.

For the most part, the Church remains silent and walks by on the other side of the road, letting ‘Good Samaritan’ journalists tend to the wounds of society.

Christian leaders who refuse to address these issues are clearly not crucified with Christ, dead to the world and refusing to conform to its standards (see Gal 2:20; Rom 12:2).

Dissent Not Tolerated

The furore sparked by Littlejohn’s piece was entirely predictable; and yet the very same (Daily Mail) issue carried a major feature exposing Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s murky political past in meeting up with a Communist spy from behind the Iron Curtain. Was the metropolitan liberal elite much concerned about that? Evidently not.

Just as the frenzied backlash stirred by the Tom Daley article was kicking off (I was initially unaware of it as I was involved in a south London conference dedicated to evangelism), a Nigerian-born pastor was heaping praise on Britain’s great heritage,² mentioning in particular the Christian motivation of past businessmen like those who founded Cadbury’s, Guinness and, yes, Boots the chemist – the very firm that has now protested against critics of a non-Christian lifestyle!

Even some of our great football clubs, founded as part of the Church’s outreach to young people, are now in the hands of Middle Eastern nationals from countries which ban both Bibles and Christians, he lamented.

I notice that legendary Wimbledon champion Margaret Court is also in the dock for her stand on sexual ethics. Lesbian former champions Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova are campaigning to have a Melbourne arena re-named in protest. How pathetic!

It seems that with 50 years having now passed since both abortion and homosexuality were declared legal in the UK, they have now been officially ‘normalised’ and no dissent will be tolerated. Is this the fruit of a free society? Does no-one still cherish free speech?

50 years since both abortion and homosexuality were declared legal in the UK, they have now been officially ‘normalised’ and no dissent will be tolerated.

The Cross is Our Anchor

Well, all is not lost, if Sunday’s touching episode of Call the Midwife is anything to go by. One of the storylines followed a Nigerian sailor thrown off his ship because the crew believed he had smallpox, which was highly contagious.

Lonely and distraught, he prayed desperately as he hid in a drain, calling on Jesus for help, which duly came in the shape of the kind nuns who supply the dock area with midwives. It turned out that he actually had leprosy, which was treatable. And as he exulted in the answer to his prayers, one of the nuns handed him a Bible, saying: “In the cross is our anchor.”

Go and Sin No More

Although the letter of the law would have allowed Jesus to stone the woman caught in adultery, as her accusers pointed out, he refused to condemn her, but added: “Go now and leave your life of sin” (John 8:11).

Christians who truly follow their Lord do not hate those who commit adultery (which includes all sex outside marriage), but neither can they affirm the practice. They would be betraying their faith if they did. Get used to it. Enough is enough.

References

1 Read the article here.

2 World Harvest Christian Centre, convened by Rev Wale Babatunde.

Catharine Pakington reviews ‘The Marriage Files’ by Patricia Morgan (Wilberforce Publications, 2014).

I read this book with interest since we live in a time when once-accepted norms about sexual identity, marriage and the family face constant challenge. Until recently, there was an agreed understanding of the definition and role of marriage – but no longer.

Dr Patricia Morgan, a leading sociologist and respected family policy analyst, has brought careful research together on the subject in this scholarly yet readable book, well-supported with extensive references. It was not a quick read but I found that it answered many of my questions and made evidence on the matter accessible.

A Long-Term Perspective

Morgan assesses the historic contribution that marriage, with its responsibility for the procreation and education of children, has made to the stability of society.

Once upon a time, the Government defended marriage on principle - but since no-fault divorce was introduced in 1969/70, marriage has steadily been undermined. Today, this vital biblical institution has been ‘re-defined’, continues to be in decline and faces attack from all major political parties with a tax and welfare system that penalises couples living together.

Dr Patricia Morgan has brought careful research together on the institution of marriage in this scholarly yet readable book.

Throughout the book, Morgan looks critically at evidence from different studies, assessing the extent to which it supports the clear agenda that has been progressed over recent decades. Importantly, we are given the opportunity to test this evidence out for ourselves, so that we can recognise unfounded slogans and distorted statistics when we see them.

Focus on the Children

A particular focus of Morgan’s scholarly research is how the huge changes wrought over recent years have impacted children – whose welfare has largely been forgotten in the clamour for ‘equality’ and ‘rights’.

Repeated studies from different nations confirm that, on average, children thrive best when growing up in an intact, heterosexual marriage with their two biological parents. This also benefits the parents and is good for wider society; for example, marriage is the greatest factor in reducing crime in men.

Morgan outlines the advantages of conjugal marriage as compared to other environments for raising children, and considers why it faces such antipathy, being labelled as patriarchal and outdated.

Shifting Battlegrounds

Finally, Morgan looks in depth at studies supportive of same-sex ‘marriage’, which are often quoted to show public support for such unions or to suggest positive outcomes for children brought into these families. She allows us to consider how the studies have been conducted and how reliable they really are.

She also looks ahead as the campaign continues through educational policies and manipulation of the media to normalise all kinds of relationships. We are told that the LGBT lobby seeks equality, but what we see are the interests of a small minority eclipsing the interests of all others.

A particular focus is how the huge changes wrought over recent years have impacted children, whose wellbeing has often been forgotten.

Indeed, the battleground is moving from combating homophobia to the overthrow of ‘heteronormality’, so all believe that there is nothing special about a male-female family unit. Meanwhile, as the differences between male and female are denied, so fathers are marginalised, mothers are expected to work and childcare becomes the domain of the State.

Looking to the Future

We need to be aware not just of the upheaval taking place in our society but also of the implications for the children caught up in this great social experiment. What are the consequences going to be for future generations?

Morgan’s book is invaluable for its observations as well as for its provision of factual evidence. Well recommended for those who are interested in learning more about this issue.

‘The Marriage Files: The Purpose, Limits and Fate of Marriage’ (276pp) is available for £10.99 (paperback) on Amazon. Also available on Kindle.

Dr Clifford Hill comments on the Asher's Bakery ruling.

The High Court decision on the Asher's Bakery¹ is nothing less than a national scandal! The bakery owners Daniel and Karen McArthur did not insult or in any way abuse Gareth Lee who ordered a cake from them.

They were perfectly willing to bake the cake but unwilling to put a message on it that was offensive to their beliefs and values. Surely they had every right to do this - but not according to the High Court Judges' interpretation of British law.

Some Are More Equal Than Others

What is happening to our basic human rights: our precious heritage of freedom of speech, and our right to follow the dictates of our own conscience? Does the law really mean that anyone can be forced to declare something that is totally against their beliefs and values?

What would happen if it were not Christians but Muslims involved? If a Muslim baker had been asked to bake a cake with a message on it that offended his beliefs as a Muslim, would he not emphatically refuse to do so? And quite rightly so! He would no doubt claim that he was being asked to do something that was offensive to his beliefs - but according to the present law, as interpreted by the High Court Judges, he would be guilty of discrimination because he was refusing to offer a service to a customer.

I personally believe there is not a court of law in this country that would deny the right of Muslims to uphold their beliefs in a similar way as the MacArthurs have tried to do. So why are Christians denied a similar right? Have we reached such a stage of denial of our Christian heritage in this country that we must force Christians to deny their faith? Is this what we mean by equality – that we uphold the rights of all citizens to practice their faith in Britain, except Christians?!

Has Britain reached such a stage of denial of our Christian heritage that we must force Christians to deny their faith?

Outcry Against the Ruling

There has been no great outcry from church leaders, petitioning Downing Street on behalf of a lowly Belfast baker. Do the pastors no longer care for the flock?

Strikingly, some of the loudest voices shouting against the Judges' ruling have been in the mainstream, secular humanist press – voices including LGBT activist Peter Tachell (writing in The Independent and The Guardian) and gay journalists Matthew Wiggins (writing for the Belfast Tab) and Neil Midgley (writing for The Telegraph), who said:

Having won these political battles by exercising our own political freedoms, then, it is ironic that many gays are so keen to deny similar freedoms to Christians (or anyone else who disagrees with the gay agenda)...as a gay man, I vehemently support the Christian bakers' right not to bake pro-gay cakes. Because one day, the prevailing political consensus may change again. Our lawmakers may once again be tempted to turn against gay people. And on that day, I hope the Christian bakers will stand by me in my fight to protect fundamental freedoms that transcend any cake, any religion and any daft law.²

These commentators are wisely realising the implications of this ruling for the civil liberties of all, not just for conservative Christians – that it sets a dangerous precedent for denying anyone the freedom to conscientiously object, a precedent which could easily spread to affect other minorities in future, in an increasingly authoritarian state.

No Room for Conscientious Objection?

Traditionally in Britain we have always respected a person's conscience, even in the most extreme matters of national importance such as the right to refuse to fight when the nation is involved in war. Conscientious objectors who could prove the sincerity of their faith were always respected, even in the darkest days of war when the nation was fighting for survival. They were allowed to do alternative service such as ambulance-driving or working as medical orderlies on the front line rather than actually taking up a gun and killing the enemy.

Some of the loudest voices shouting against the ruling have been LGBT activists, who see its implications for future freedom of speech.

But those days seem to be over - this is now the brave new world of the tolerant society, where everything is tolerated except sincerely held convictions which conflict with the anarchy of secular humanism!

If the judges are right in their interpretation of the law in Britain as it stands, there needs to be a call for a change in the law from all right-minded citizens – all who value our right to freedom of speech and our right to hold different views. With this judgment we are well on the way to becoming a Nazi state, where we are all forced to accept the same set of social values and no-one dares express a contrary view.

The Road of Suffering

This was the situation that faced the first Christians living in the Roman Empire when they were forced to declare the divinity of the Roman Emperor. Thousands of Christians were tortured and died the most terrible deaths because they refused to say "Caesar is Lord". They were publicly humiliated, stripped naked and forced into the arena to be torn to pieces by wild animals for the entertainment of the crowds.

But is not this similar to what is happening today? The MacArthurs have been publicly vilified on social media. They have been called vile names for the stand they have made for marriage being part of God's creation and essential for the health and stability of society. They have suffered two years of abuse and public humiliation for their faith. They will certainly be honoured by God.

The Apostle Peter writing to the Christians in Rome said, "If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgement to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?" (1 Peter 4.16-17).

Let us pray and hope that the nation continues no farther down this dangerous path towards persecution – and that the MacArthurs receive an apology for the injustice they have suffered. But for every step Britain does take on this road, let us also praise God for the example being set by those Christians called to suffer for their beliefs, and pray that the clear message they are living brings many others to faith in Jesus.

References

1 Named after the tribe of Asher (Gen 49:20).

2 Midgley, N. As a gay man, I'm horrified that Christian bakers are being forced to surrender their beliefs. The Telegraph, 24 October 2016.

A lesson for Britain on what education is all about.

Whatever else you may say about Israel – though the cradle of Judeo-Christian civilisation, they are clearly now as secular as the rest of us in the West – they are currently being blessed by a leader who believes in the importance and authority of the Bible.

Whereas former British Prime Minister Tony Blair trumped education as the all-important issue of his tenure, Israeli PM Binyamin 'Bibi' Netanyahu has been more specific.

At the start of the school year, he announced to his cabinet that "excellence and Zionism", with an emphasis on Bible study, were at the root of an education "revolution" his government wanted to bring about. "First of all the study of the Bible," he said. "We must make a major effort; this is the basis for why we are here, why we have returned here, why we stay here."¹

What a contrast to the way things are run in Westminster, seat of the British Parliament. Of course there's much talk about raising educational standards, but we have cast the Holy Scriptures to the margins of our schools, and there are even efforts by humanists to wipe out their influence altogether. Yet without the Bible, our knowledge is incomplete. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge..." (Prov 1:7)

We have cast the Holy scriptures to the margins of our schools.

The Apostle Paul wrote: "Love never fails... But where there is knowledge, it will pass away" (1 Cor 13:8). And he is not talking about gushy love, but the 'agape' (Greek) love that is unique to those who have experienced a personal encounter with Jesus.

Britain's Greatness Built on the Bible

It was in holding to the authority of the Bible and proclaiming its truth that Britain became a great nation whose influence covered the globe, and it was because we believed in its literal veracity that we were privileged to help pave the way for Jewish restoration – both to their ancient land and to their Lord.

Our spiritual forefathers such as William Wilberforce, John Wesley, Charles Spurgeon, Charles Simeon and Bishop JC Ryle saw from the scriptures that Christians should pray for and facilitate Israel's return. And they played a crucial role in the modern-day re-birth of the Jewish state.

But our Jewish brethren also need the "new heart" Ezekiel prophesied (Ezek 36:26) if they are to fulfil their God-given role as "a light for the Gentiles" (Isa 49:6). Mercifully, Mr Netanyahu is paving the way for this spiritually with his declaration of intent.

Tragically, however, neither Church nor state in Britain is following this kind of lead, as they once did, caving in on all sides to politically correct pressure undermining the Bible's authority. The result is increasing breakdown in society, with all too few children growing up under the love and discipline of a mother and father.

Current Disunity Over Scripture

Key to Israel's restoration was an Anglican society called CMJ (the Church's Ministry among Jewish people) who are still doing a great work among God's ancient people today. But the Church of England, with which they are linked, is literally at the point of breaking up. And the issue is...the Bible's authority!

A dozen evangelical² parishes in the South-East – including representation from the Diocese of Canterbury, the ancient heart of Anglicanism – are currently in discussions toward what could lead to a formal split over the 'watering down' of biblical teaching on issues of marriage amid talk of 'blessing' services for same-sex couples. They are setting up 'embryonic' structures that could be used were a split to take place.

The Church of England is literally at the point of breaking up.

The Rev Dr Peter Sanlon, Vicar of St Mark's Church in Tunbridge Wells, said: "If senior leaders of the Church of England water down the [church's] teaching on key issues like homosexuality, then this synod could easily evolve into a new Anglican jurisdiction."³

Threat of Schism

This development coincides with news that Bishop of Grantham Nicholas Chamberlain has become the first Church of England bishop to publicly declare he is gay and in a relationship, albeit celibate.⁴ And it has emerged that Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby was aware of this at the time of his consecration last November.

Bishop Chamberlain said he adhered to church guidelines under which gay clergy must be celibate and are not permitted to marry, and Archbishop Welby has stated that "his sexuality is completely irrelevant to his office".⁵

Yet an increasing number of priests have married or plan to marry same-sex partners in defiance of the ban and Archbishop Welby told a recent Christian festival that he was "constantly consumed with horror" at the Church's treatment of lesbians and gay men.⁶

Disagreements over sexual issues have already caused schisms within the wider Anglican body – in Canada and the United States, for example. But it was on the Bible's authority that a Judeo-Christian civilisation was built that became the envy of the world. Israel's future – their protection from enemies and hope of a Messiah – is bound up in the authority of the Bible. Pray for Mr Netanyahu.

Notes

1 Jerusalem Post, 30 August 2016. Also quoted by Jerusalem News Network on 1 September 2016.

2 A term signifying belief in the absolute authority of the Bible on all matters of faith.

3 Church of England parishes prepare for a possible schism. Christian Concern, 31 August 2016.

4 Sherwood, H. Bishop of Grantham first C of E bishop to declare he is in gay relationship. The Guardian, 2 September 2016.

5 Ibid.

6 Ibid.

Dr Lisa Nolland, convenor of Anglican Mainstream's Marriage, Sex and Culture Group and a leading expert on gender issues, takes a critical look at the LGBT movement.

Have you noticed that the Sexual Revolution, beginning as it did in the 1960s, has unfolded in waves – each with its own specific focus?

The first wave involved 'liberating' sex from its previously close connections to traditional Judeo-Christian understandings of marriage, family and procreation.

The second wave has been about 'liberating' alternative sexualities (gay, lesbian, bisexual, etc) from the biblical structure of male/female relationships in God's created order. The third wave, which is happening right now, involves challenging the very idea of male and female through 'transgender' issues.

These are explosive topics, even within the Church – but as such, it is all the more vital to talk about them. Underneath all the arguments about rights, acceptance and love, the trend has clearly been towards the total breakdown of God's framework for gender and male/female relationships. This article presents a brief analysis of LGBT 'progress' in British culture and in the Church today and suggests some practical responses.

When Tolerance Becomes Intolerant

As Ecclesiastes notes, "There is nothing new under the sun" (Ecc 1:9). There have always been various 'alternative' forms of sexuality around. However, up until now, the majority population were not forced to endorse them or face punishment for bigotry by an increasingly vigilant state! This is a new and deeply pernicious development. Dissidents (as those who continue to hold to 'traditional' biblical structures for sex and relationships now are) must hope that they can keep a low profile or, if forcibly confronted about their beliefs, must either appease the establishment or suffer the consequences.

There have always been alternative forms of sexuality around. But up until now, the majority population weren't forced to endorse them or face punishment for bigotry!

In 2014, during the debates on same-sex 'marriage' (SSM), leading evangelical groups got behind the moderate campaign group Coalition for Marriage (C4M). It raised awareness about the nature and importance of marriage and collected almost 700,000 signatures against the SSM bill - a huge accomplishment. It also highlighted the frighteningly draconian aspects of the new politically correct culture of 'toleration'.

However, the downside of the C4M was its avoidance of several key but controversial aspects of SSM and the LGBT movement. For instance, in focusing on defending the biblical definition of marriage, C4M underplayed the unhealthy realities of gay sex and different relationship norms (eg Elton John's and David Furnish's 'open marriage'¹).

Crucially, it also failed to challenge the LGBT claim that sexuality is core to the human identity – i.e. that it is a defining part of who you are. This claim, which immediately transforms a challenge to someone's sexual practices into an assault on who that person is – is now undergirding the present pro-transgender movement (see below).

The Rainbow Flag over Britain

Many countries now have massive LGBT+ 'Pride' events. London's Pride lasts almost two weeks, backed by powerful businesses (e.g. Starbucks) and the Government (e.g. the Mayor of London).² Its goal: "Make London the best LGBT+ City in the World".³ Even the Church of England is getting involved: York Cathedral flew the Rainbow flag during 2015's Pride, while the Archbishop of Canterbury praised "just stunning" gay relationships and now publicly foregrounds the issues of "LGBTI people".⁴

Meanwhile, Stonewall's 'Education Champions' programme has now been rolled out in hundreds of schools.⁵ Mandatory 'literacy' programmes like CHIPS (involving mock-SSM ceremonies for 8-9 year olds and Pride promotion to slightly older children) and 'Pride in Primary' (its replacement) mean that increasing numbers of children are now being marinated in pro-LGBT teaching from nursery age onwards.⁶

So far, the Church has failed to challenge the LGBT claim that sexuality is core to the human identity - that it is a defining part of who you are.

Gay as the 'New Black'

C4M and other Christian leaders have so far failed to address the new ideology which is filtering into every British institution and which underpins gay rights advocacy. This ideology is most clearly articulated in Kirk and Madsen's seminal After the Ball: How America will conquer its fear and hatred of gays in the 90s (1989). It is written by marketing and psychology gurus who miscalled only the timing:

The public should be persuaded that gays are victims of circumstance, that they no more chose their sexual orientation than they did, say, their height, skin color ... (We argue that, for all practical purposes, gays should be considered to have been born gay)...And since no choice is involved, gayness can be no more blameworthy than straightness. [emphasis in original, p184]⁷

The idea of being 'born gay' is foundational to the claim that sexual attraction is a core component of human identity – and therefore something that should not be challenged or criticised but celebrated.

Before this, homosexuality was widely considered to be a complex of sexual feelings and behaviours. But through this brilliant sleight of hand, homosexuality (and other politically correct sexual orientations and gender identities) is now included in 'protected' categories and perceived and treated as comparable to race. To object to this new definition is considered 'racist' and evil.

Not Born This Way

But the truth is that no-one is born gay. Identical twin studies demonstrate this (if one identical twin is gay, in most cases the other is not) - and even gay activists like Peter Tatchell and Julie Bindel admit it.⁸ The Royal College of Psychiatrists altered its statement on homosexuality originally submitted to the Church of England's Pilling Commission, conceding sexual 'orientation' is not set at birth, nor is it immutable.⁹ Lesbian psychologist Lisa Diamond's 'Sexuality is fluid: it's time to get past "born this way"' also makes this point (New Scientist, 22 July 2015).

Because this reasoning no longer holds up to scientific scrutiny, the claim of being 'born gay' is increasingly giving way to claims of sexual fluidity (as Diamond notes, above). Many report spontaneous change in sexual attraction/orientation which 'just happens'.¹⁰ This view is affirmed by 'ex-gays' who have experienced change through therapy.¹¹ Ex-gays exist even in the UK, though they tend to be closeted (the US is different, e.g. see the powerful clip of ex-gay voices and perspectives, Suchweresomeofyou.org).

The truth is that no-one is born gay. The assertion that they are does not hold up to scientific scrutiny.

Psychology and Sexual Orientation

From his work with over 900 clients, ex-gay therapist Floyd Godfrey understands homosexuality as the "sexualisation of emotional needs and wounds", à la Simone Weil's "all sins are attempts to fill voids".¹² Such attractions "will remain until the individual discovers the meaning of them and fulfils them in legitimate, non-sexual ways", according to another ex-gay therapist Christopher Doyle.¹³

Drivers of same-sex attraction frequently include early conditioning, perception and/or experience. There is no one easy explanation - but then, there never is in the world of psychology. However, it is important to acknowledge that same-sex attraction is often a fruit of an underlying emotional issue. To ignore this, says ex-transgender activist Walt Heyer, is unwise and (regarding children specifically) could even be tantamount to abuse.¹⁴

It is not the purpose of this article to propose a solution to the sexuality crisis currently plaguing our nation – but it bears stating that it is vital that those battling unwanted same-sex attraction are able to access help and support.¹⁵ And yet, the current transgender campaign perceives this kind of support as offensive. But even if we use their own logic, that all individuals have a right to choose their gender identity from a rainbow of options, surely people then have the right (if desired) to identify with their biological birth gender, with its heterosexual physiology and function?

Some Practical Responses

The basic biblical truth that is in danger of being lost here is that God made human beings male and female as a central part of his creation. When we tamper with this truth, we put ourselves against God. Ultimately, if we are to recover this truth today, we need to hold out a different definition of identity: one which has our position as divinely created human beings, male and female, at its core, not sexual preference. At its heart, the gender crisis in this nation is precisely this: a crisis of lost identity.

So what can ordinary, Bible-believing Christians do in response? Here are a few suggestions.

1. Pray: for the mythology and damage to be exposed; for the many victims of the tyranny of political correctness; and that groups such as CORE will be able to help the increasing numbers of strugglers who want out of homosexuality.
2. Equip your Church: ask experts to address these issues and raise awareness in your church or fellowship.
3. Give: groups like the Christian Legal Centre are spending a small fortune defending the victims of political correctness in the UK now. Can you help?
4. Educate: discover what your children are being taught and get fully involved in their education; Lovewise has excellent resources. Safe at School is another great resource.
5. Disseminate: pass on helpful resources to your networks.
6. Sign Petitions: Sign petitions and ask your network to do the same, such as AFA's Boycott Target petition or CitizenGO's petition against the World Psychiatric Association's condemnation of therapy for unwanted same-sex attraction.
7. Attend Events: The Wilberforce Academy is one of the most cutting edge events for 20s and 30s in the UK, aiming to resource them to deal effectively with issues like this. Encourage students and young professionals to attend.

If you would like more information or are interested in greater involvement, please contact me. I run a group (below) which does this 24/7 and we are always interested in meeting 'like minds'.

Lisa S Nolland, MA MCS PhD (Bristol)

Convenor, Marriage, Sex and Culture Group, Anglican Mainstream

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

References

1 Cook, M. How Elton John has changed marriage. MercatorNet, 27 April 2016.

2 Capital gets ready for London Pride 2015, ITV News, 26 June 2015. See also Pride in London's What's On page for the plethora of LGBTI events around London alone.

3 See Pride in London's Pledge for politicians.

4 Archbishop speaks of challenge posed to Church by 'stunning' gay couples. Pink News, 21 March 2013. Also Welby sorry for Anglican 'hurt' to LGBT community. BBC News, 15 January 2016, and Mawhinney, R, Evangelism in an age of terror, homophobia and indifference: an interview with Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, Christianity Today, 31 March 2016. Also private communication with Lambeth Palace, 22 April 2016.

5 See Stonewall's member list.

6 See Pride in Primary Education., also Gay and lesbian values to be taught in 36 primary schools in Birmingham. Birmingham Mail, 12 December 2014. For copies of CHIPs contact me (see below for details).

7 See online outline of After the Ball (pdf). Also commentary in The homosexual propaganda campaign in America's media, MassResistance.org.

8 See Tatchell, P. Born Gay or Made Gay? Biology is not Destiny. Also Julie Bindel: You can choose to be gay - I choose to live my life as a lesbian. Pink News, 4 July 2014. See also Whitehead, NE, 2013. My Genes Made Me Do It! Homosexuality and the Scientific Evidence. Click here for a synopsis. 

9 Royal College of Psychiatrists' statement on sexual orientation (pdf), April 2014.

10 Savin-Williams, RC and Ream, GL, 2007. Prevalence and Stability of Sexual Orientation Components during Adolescence and Young Adulthood, Archives of Sexual Behaviour, 36:385-394. Also Diamond, L, 2008. Female Bisexuality from Adolescence to Adulthood. Developmental Psychology, 44(1):5-14, and Diamond, 2015, above.

11 E.g. Schwab, J. Open letter to Psychology Today: You cannot ignore ex-gays that have changed! Voice of the Voiceless, 18 March 2015. Also Jones, SL and Yarhouse, MA. Honest Sex Science. First Things, October 2012 (though this cohort did not have proper psychotherapy, but engaged in religiously-mediated support group work to reduce their unwanted SSA).

12 Family Watch International. Understanding Same-Sex Attraction. Youtube, 17 November 2013.

13 Doyle, C. Hotel Homosexuality: Yes, you can check out, and leave. MercatorNet, 17 June 2015.

14 Smith, S. Ex Transgender: Parents who don't put their trans kids in psychotherapy are 'abusing' their children. Christian Post, 18 February 2016.

15 Dr Mike Davidson's CORE Issues Trust works with many such individuals.