Posted on 11/09/2003 9:50:01 PM PST by Brian Allen
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.
The Right Reverend Doctor 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 [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 Doctor 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".
..... We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security .....
Only 30% of Americans supported Our Beloved FRaternal Republic's First War of Independence. How few of US, I wonder, will support the next? And/or once-great britain's?
Same aroma and consistentcy as a bowel movement.
How familiar are you with American History and the fact that our own revolution was instigated by antagonists such as Samuel Adams and Thomas Paine. The origin of political debate in this great Nation was rude in its beginning and damn offensive through most of its existence.
I'm one offensive bastard a "Rude American" and damn proud of it. If people don't like it, they can crawl back under Momma's skirt and stay the hell out of my face. When the crybabies started insisting debate become more civil in this country, is when we began to see the citizens become feminized. Now the servant of government has become the master and we can thank the pansy boys who are offended by other's words for that. It is their misplaced compassion that has allowed the government to become so offensive.
When I ask the people, why theyre so Limp and Bent over today? Would the people appreciate the love and concern in asking the question? Or will they continue to piss and moan from under Momma's skirt?
Martin Reynolds, the communication director of the LGCM said
"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."Mr. Reynolds, let me point you to what the experts say on the matter. You can start at the link below and check my profile for updates:
Categorical indexIn a nutshell, Mr. Reynolds, the major factor in determining homosexuality, and again according to the experts, is environment. It appears it is you, Mr. Reynolds, that needs to read up on the issues.
Good question. We could start with Mr. Reynolds at the LGCM (Lesbian & Gay Christian Movement):
LGCMThe database update I'm working on will have about 50% more links, be easier to reference specific categories, and be sorted by year. Referencing specific categories should be a quick way to answer the pro-gay and uninformed folks when they make statements we know to be false. Having the database sorted by year lets us see the homosexual agenda in a timeline.
Oxford House
Derbyshire St
London, E2 6HG
United Kingdom
Why, has someone demonstrated for sure that it isn't?
"What is particularly worrying is that this man has spent 18 months researching this issue. We welcome the police investigation."
Hmm, well, if 18 months of study didn't change his opinion, maybe there's something to his views after all.
Apparently, it is in England, Canada, France and other so called liberal bastions. And the left pays lip service to free speech. Yeah, only as a tool to take it away!
Why can't the English teach their bishops how to speak?I hope "reorientate" is not a real word.It's not. It should be "reorient".
I used to look forward to reading Safire's column in the Sunday New York Times Magazine section, until I could no longer justify spending my hard-earned dollars on that liberal rag. I might just spring for one of Safire's books, however. It might make a good Christmas present for one of the adults in my family. Thanks for the heads up.
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