Bishop's anti-gay comments spark legal investigation (England)

Telegraph ^ | 10/11/2003 | Richard Alleyne

[KayEyeDoubleDee]

Bishop's anti-gay comments spark legal investigation
By Richard Alleyne
(Filed: 10/11/2003)

A bishop who angered homosexuals by suggesting they seek a psychiatric cure is to be investigated by police to see if his outspoken views amount to a criminal offence, it emerged yesterday.

Dr Peter Forster

The Rt Rev Dr Peter Forster, the Bishop of Chester, infuriated homosexuals both in and out of the Church of England when he said last week that they could and should seek medical help to "reorientate" themselves.

The Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (the LGCM) accused him of putting forward an "offensive" and "scandalous" argument from a bygone age.

Cheshire Police have said that they are to investigate his comments, made in the local paper, the Chester Chronicle, after receiving a complaint that his views may incite people to turn against homosexuals.

In a statement released by the force, Assistant Chief Constable Graeme Gerrard said: "We are aware of the article in the Chester Chronicle and have received a complaint.

"We will examine the issues raised in the complaint and will speak to the reporter and the Bishop of Chester before considering any further action." A spokesman for the force added that it would send a copy of the article to the Crown Prosecution Service to see if any offence had been committed.

The bishop, who has in the past attacked the immorality of Britain and the ordination of homosexual bishops, spoke out after spending 18 months helping to write the Church of England report Some Issues in Human Sexuality - A Guide to Debate.

He told the newspaper that his research had led him to believe that homosexuals should seek medical help.

He said: "Some people who are primarily homosexual can reorientate themselves. I would encourage them to consider that as an option, but I would not set myself up as a medical specialist on the subject - that's in the area of psychiatric health."

Yesterday he refused to add to his views, but his spokesman said he would fully co-operate with any police inquiry.

Martin Reynolds, the communication director of the LGCM, welcomed the investigation into what he described as "scandalous" views. "These are irresponsible remarks that could inflame latent homophobia," he said.

"I am sure that the bishop is a very gentle man and his views are sincere. But many people in history who are gentle and sincere have said things that are evil.

"If he wants to say that homosexuality is a sin then he is entitled to his views but to say it is a psychiatric disorder is wrong.

"What is particularly worrying is that this man has spent 18 months researching this issue. We welcome the police investigation."

Mr Reynolds denied that the group had made the complaint but said it could have been one of their members.

It is not the first time that Dr Forster, 53, who is married with four children, has expressed strong views about sexuality.

He is part of the All Souls Day Group which has declared war on what it sees as a tide of liberalism engulfing the Church.

As a response it has called for all Anglican Church leaders to back the 1998 Lambeth conference, which condemned sexual activity outside marriage.

The group also fiercely opposed the appointment of the openly homosexual Gene Robinson as the Bishop of New Hampshire, in America, which took place earlier this month.

Dr Forster was one of nine bishops who signed a letter opposing the appointment of Dr Jeffrey John, a non-practising homosexual, as Bishop of Reading. Dr John later decided not to take up his appointment.

The Public Order Act 1986 covers so called hate crimes, which the Metropolitan Police define as "abusing people because of their race, faith, religion or disability - or because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transsexual".

[2banana]

Looks like 1984 was just a few years late...

[BenLurkin]

A bishop who angered homosexuals by suggesting they seek a psychiatric cure is to be investigated by police to see if his outspoken views amount to a criminal offence,. . .

Orwell was right!

[upchuck]

It's all about me, me, me!

Hey scrip - ping time

[RWR8189]

Too bad Britain has no 1st Amendment

[ElkGroveDan]

Thank God we have the Bill of Rights over here (at least for now).

[Wil H]

The damn Gays need to get a life.

"The truth doesn't hurt once you get used to it".

And BTW there is no such thing as "homophobia", people who are repulsed by the idea of someone else's fecal matter on their genitalia are not "phobic".

I have a dislike for the taste of Tomatoes, It's not a conscious choice, I just don't like the taste, but no-one persecutes me or calls me a tomato bigot for that.

Likewise, I don't like the concept or culture of the gay lifestyle, again it not a conscious choice, it is just how I feel, and those that would persecute me in order to promote their radical left wing agenda can go to hell.

[narses]

Coming soon to a court near you.

[cavtrooper21]

tomato bigot...


There, somebody did.


;)

[Vinnie]

A bishop who angered homosexuals by suggesting they seek a psychiatric cure is to be investigated by police to see if his outspoken views amount to a criminal offence, it emerged yesterday.

Sticks and stones may break my bones , but names will.... get your a$$ thrown in jail.

[Always Right]

I have a dislike for the taste of Tomatoes, It's not a conscious choice, I just don't like the taste, but no-one persecutes me or calls me a tomato bigot for that.

You hate-mongering tomataphobe....

[feedback doctor]

HOMOPHOBIA

You know, if some are born homosexual, then I bet others are born homophobic. Then we have to let them be who they are.

[cavtrooper21]

So when are they going to change it from "Merry Olde England" to "Gay, politicly correct, home of the dis-armed public where criminal reign supreme England"??

[HiTech RedNeck]

Good idea, but how many such shrinks are left in England? One?

[Wil H]

You know, if some are born homosexual, then I bet others are born homophobic. Then we have to let them be who they are.

Bingo, you are spot on.

If you can't help being one and must be tolerated, then you equally can't help it if you have an aversion, and must be equally tolerated.

[Reactionary]

"A bishop who angered homosexuals by suggesting they seek a psychiatric cure is to be investigated by police to see if his outspoken views amount to a criminal offence, it emerged yesterday."

Stalin would be proud.

[8mmMauser]

I must not be a homophobe because I don't have a "fear of humans"

Isn't that what it means?

[lady lawyer]

20 or so years ago a handful of homosexuals managed to become a majority in the small body of the American Psychiatric Association with power to change the content of psychiatric disorders. That was when the inmates took over the asylum and declared homosexuality "normal."

How can two people without the appropriate plumbing trying to imitate an act with a clear reproductive purpose be "normal." The emperor has no clothes. But not, in England and other places, the little child who spoke the truth would be thrown in jail.

[Wil H]

You hate-mongering tomataphobe....

that's not fair! I'm seeking medical help !

[lady lawyer]

That should be "but NOW, in England . . .