There is a “witch hunt” against Christians who declare their beliefs on homosexual practice, says the Ulster MP reported to police for expressing the Bible’s teaching on sexual ethics.
Iris Robinson, DUP MP for Strangford, used the biblical term “abomination” to describe the practice of homosexuality on a radio programme last Friday. A complaint was made to the police.
Last night Mrs Robinson, wife of First Minister Peter Robinson, told the BBC: “I am defending the word of God.
“I think at the moment there is a witch hunt to curb or actually stop or prevent Christians speaking out and I make no apology for what I said because it’s the word of God.”
Mrs Robinson pointed out that her criticism was directed at the practice of homosexuality, rather than homosexuals themselves.
“I was very careful in saying that I have nothing against any homosexual,” she said. “I love them; that is what the Lord tells me, to love the sinner and not the sin.”
“Witch hunt”
The complaint to police against Iris Robinson is the latest in a series of attempts to prevent Christians from expressing their orthodox beliefs on homosexuality.
Roman Catholic adoption agencies that have existed for many years, successfully finding loving homes for children, face closure because they won’t place children with homosexual couples. One agency in Westminister is fighting the matter.
A Christian registrar in Islington is facing the sack because of her religious beliefs on marriage. An employment tribunal will decide later this month whether she is being discriminated against.
A few weeks ago homosexual campaigners said they wanted the Earl of Devon’s castle to be slapped with a huge inheritance tax bill because he won’t allow civil partnership ceremonies to take place there.
In 2003 the Anglican Bishop of Chester who was investigated by police because he gave an interview to his local paper pointing to research showing that some homosexuals had changed to heterosexuality.
In 2005 Police questioned the family-values campaigner, Lynette Burrows, after she expressed the view on BBC Radio 5 Live that homosexual men may not be suitable for raising children.
None of these investigations resulted in any charges.
In December 2006 Lancashire police settled out of court with a pensioner couple who had been investigated by officers because they criticised their local council’s ‘gay rights’ policy.
The police admitted their actions were wrong and changed their policies to take more account of religious liberty and free speech.