Sep 13, 2006Articles: Church in uproar over gay hate slur
By VZ
www.stuff.co.nz reports that a slur campaign warning that "gays are a cancer" in the Presbyterian Church has sickened members as they prepare to vote on a ruling banning homosexual ministers. Bumper stickers have been sent to the Presbyterian Assembly's 500 members nationwide, inflaming an issue that already threatens to split the Church.
www.stuff.co.nz reports that a slur campaign warning that "gays are a cancer" in the Presbyterian Church has sickened members as they prepare to vote on a ruling banning homosexual ministers. Bumper stickers have been sent to the Presbyterian Assembly's 500 members nationwide, inflaming an issue that already threatens to split the Church.
The assembly sets the Church's policy and direction.
Members vote later this month on a ruling to exclude homosexuals – and anyone in a sexual relationship outside marriage – from becoming ministers or Church elders.
The bumper stickers, which were sent out anonymously, say "Gays aren't welcome in our church, help us let New Zealand know" and "Gays are a cancer in our church, let's keep them out of leadership".
The Human Rights Commission says the bumper stickers constitute hate speech – but under current laws little can be done.
More than 430,000 people identified themselves as Presbyterians in the 2001 census. The Church has 430 parishes, which more than 40,000 people attend each week.
St Andrew's on The Terrace minister the Rev Margaret Mayman said the stickers had thrown the Church into disrepute. "I just feel embarrassed and ashamed that our Church has been compromised by the people who wrote this."
The lesbian minister, who was appointed in 2001, said she also felt concerned for homosexuals outside the Church.
"They are really shocking images and shocking sentiments for any community to deal with, but that's particularly so for a Christian community," Dr Mayman said.
Presbyterian Assembly executive secretary Kerry Enright said police and the Human Rights Commission had been contacted about the stickers.
In a letter to parishes nationwide, Presbyterian Church moderator the Rt Rev Garry Marquand condemned the mailout. "They (stickers) seriously undermine the respect that we have sought to preserve in our discussions on this sensitive issue, and they are also contrary to the accepted processes of the Church."
Representatives from across the Church, including its "more conservative groups", had also condemned the slur campaign, he said.
Khandallah Presbyterian Church elder and assembly commissioner Murray Potts was sickened after opening the envelope and seeing the stickers. "It's just the shock factor and also the fact we need to move ahead with this decision in a positive way."
In 2004, at the last meeting of the Presbyterian General Assembly, 63 per cent of members supported the motion to ban ministers and elders outside marriage. The motion has since been put to regional groups for discussion.
Twelve of the 23 regional congregations support the move to stop homosexuals from holding positions of power, with 10 regions opposed and one abstaining, Mr Enright said.
If adopted, the ruling would not apply to homosexuals licensed, ordained or inducted before 2004.
Khandallah Presbyterian Church leader the Rev Fraser Paterson said the issue was contentious for congregations, including his own. "There is a breadth of opinion on the matter, there are those in favour and against."
Everyone had reacted with distaste to the stickers at his church.
Chief Human Rights Commissioner Rosslyn Noonan said the bumper stickers constituted hate speech – but did not appear to breach the Human Rights Act. Homosexuals were protected against discrimination but it had to be in a particular setting, such as workplaces. However, any complaint would be "seriously considered", Ms Noonan said.
"Seeing this kind of material is very disappointing – particularly the targeting of a community that is protected by the act."
Victoria University professor of religion Paul Morris said churches worldwide were being divided by the issue of sexuality.
