Church against homosexuality as 'normal alternative lifestyle'

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Church against homosexuality as 'normal alternative lifestyle'

By Nur Dianah Suhaimi
		Pastor Hong says the Church Of Our Saviour is not anti-homosexual. -- ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN

THE Anglican Church Of Our Saviour takes a stand against those who promote homosexuality as a 'normal alternative lifestyle'.
In a statement to the media yesterday, its Senior Pastor Derek Hong said the acceptance of such practices goes against biblical teachings and erodes family values.
'Accepting homosexual practices and endorsing any education programme that teaches our children that such practices are neutral or normal would lead to the erosion of the sound family values on which Singapore society has been built,' he said.
But he maintained that the church is not anti-homosexual and does not have an agenda against homosexuals.
'We believe homosexuals should be extended understanding, kindness and love like every other human being. No homosexual should ever be deprived of any right enjoyed by every other Singaporean,' he said.
There has been much speculation that the church, in Margaret Drive, was involved in the Aware leadership takeover on March 28.
Six of Aware's new leaders, including president Josie Lau, are among its 4,000-strong congregation. So is lawyer Thio Su Mien, a self-described 'feminist mentor' who said last week that she encouraged the women to join and take over Aware to put a stop to what she alleged was its promotion of lesbianism and homosexuality.
Pastor Hong said yesterday that the church did not initiate or instigate any campaign to take over Aware. He also said that the church would not allow its pulpit 'to be used to intentionally teach anything that would arouse social tensions, divisions and unrest'.
Online sites have been abuzz with news that a staff member of the church wrote an e-mail rallying people to attend Aware's extraordinary general meeting (EGM) tomorrow and to vote for the new exco.
In a weekend sermon posted on the church's website, Pastor Hong urged the women in his flock to 'be engaged' and support Ms Lau and 'her sisters' at Aware.
He said: 'It's not a crusade against the people but there's a line that God has drawn for us, and we don't want our nation crossing that line.'
After Aware changed the venue of its EGM from a Toa Payoh hall to the Singapore Expo earlier this week, rumours immediately began circulating that the change was made to coincide with a Christian conference also on at the Expo this weekend. Among the participants: the Church Of Our Saviour.
The church did not reply to Straits Times queries on these claims.
On Wednesday, the EGM venue was changed again, to Suntec City, after the police intervened, citing law and order concerns. Pastor Hong said: 'We hope that Aware members will go to their EGM without the wrong assumption that the exco is a pawn of the church or that it has intentions to turn it into a religious organisation, as that is totally untrue.'

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May 1, 2009
AWARE'S EMERGENCY MEETING TOMORROW
Readers' checklists for rivals





Is new guard believable on inclusiveness?
AS A longstanding, if temporarily lapsed, associate member of the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware), I read new executive committee (exco) president Josie Lau's letter on Tuesday, 'What being inclusive means', with interest.
Ms Lau rightly notes that Aware is a secular and inclusive organisation. Words now need to be matched with deeds. I would be grateful if Ms Lau could answer the following questions:
Aware has always tried to reflect the cultural diversity of Singapore society. How many women from minority communities are on the new exco?
Aware has always been open to people with a wide range of religious beliefs, including free thinkers. Do members of a single religious group now constitute a majority on the new exco?
Aware has always been an autonomous organisation, with its officers acting independently of any other organisation. Are the majority of the new exco members connected to any single organisation, religious or otherwise?
Aware has always abided by a fundamental Singapore value that has again been reinforced by government ministers this week - separation of religion and politics. Has any religious organisation to which new exco members are affiliated actively solicited its members to join Aware and vote at either the annual general meeting or extraordinary general meeting?
Clear, straightforward answers to these questions from Ms Lau will enable Aware members, and Singaporeans in general, to decide for themselves on the issues involved. Philip Holden

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Sermon on the Web






'I am flabbergasted by pastor Hong's statement.' MADAM LIM SIEW ENG: 'I refer to Wednesday's report, 'EGM venue changed to Expo Hall 2'. The article quoted a weekend sermon by pastor Derek Hong posted on the website of his church, the Church of Our Saviour, which urged the women in his flock to 'be engaged' and support fellow church member and Aware president Josie Lau and 'her sisters' at Aware. I am flabbergasted by pastor Hong's statement: 'It is not a crusade against the people but there's a line that God has drawn for us, and we don't want our nation crossing that line.' We should be aware that we live in a multiracial and multi-religious country. Anyone who wants to join Aware should do it for the right reason and not because it is a crusade and that God has drawn 'a line'.'