It’s a changed world, so please get on with life like the rest of us

Jul 16 2008 by Andrew Flynn, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A LARGE number of bishops from around the world are gathering at the Lambeth Conference this week. The only one to be seen on TV is the one promoting his homosexuality. Another interview we saw was about whether women could be bishops.

What a sad state of affairs. Of all the business of the Church arguments over sexuality are the only issues that the media wants to tell us about.

Are there to be gay bishops? It is a stupid question. There have always been gay bishops; they just didn’t shout about it. Homosexuality may provide a man with character traits of gentleness and caring that are highly suitable qualities for priests.

Today it is widely accepted that for some people to fall in love with someone of the same sex is ‘normal’ human behaviour. It is argued that because it exists it is not a perversion but natural and perfectly acceptable.

Society now recognises this by registering a legal contract, often misnamed ‘marriage’ by the press. What is not recognised by the politically correct is that it must be equally ‘natural’ for others to be utterly revolted and even distressed by the mere thought of sex between men. We would prefer not to have to think about it. Men kissing? Ughh! Look away.

We all have deep prejudices one way or the other, but the general climate of opinion has changed dramatically.

Of course ‘queer bashing’, whether physical or mental, and any kind of persecution of individuals, including mockery, is plainly evil and no less so if it is promoted as Bible-based. Nonetheless, the fact that it is so disturbing to many people should also be taken into account.

Why does it have to be pushed at us all the time? No doubt I shall be accused of homophobia, but I use the off button on a number of openly gay celebrities. In real life I have enjoyed perfectly comfortable relationships with gay associates or friends. Once they have established I am welcoming them as friends but not likely to ‘join the club’ relations have been very pleasant.

I don’t think I suffer from homophobia, but I do have a case of homofedupwia when homosexuals go out of their way to aggressively advertise and positively celebrate their proclivities. The law has changed. Public opinion has changed. There is no longer any need for pink parades. Why can’t they just shut up and get on with life quietly, like the rest of us?

Mark Mercer

Golcar