IMMEDIATE 4.00pm 2nd July 2005
The first-ever organised Christian witness against London's 'Gay Pride' was held earlier today in London's Pall Mall. Apart from four arrests of violent 'gay pride' activists, the protest, organised by Christian Voice, the evangelical group whose religious convictions on homosexuality recently led to discrimination against them by the Co-op Bank, went off without serious incident, thanks mainly to a large police presence.
Stephen Green, National Director of Christian Voice, said afterwards:
"I want to pay tribute to the police who protected our safety and our right to peaceful protest. They moved swiftly to arrest the violent trouble-makers, without being at all heavy-handed. I have nothing but praise for them on this occasion.
"The purpose of our witness was two-fold. Firstly, we had to make clear that even in politically-correct Britain, Christians are still prepared to stand up for their Lord and deplore the sin of Sodom being paraded, in all its obscenity, and with the support of police parading in it in full uniform, through the streets of London. The Bible says: 'Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.'
"Secondly, I was deeply saddened by the sight of so many men and women celebrating their involvement in a sinful lifestyle characterised by deceit, degradation and death. We just had to reach out in the love of Christ with the message that Jesus died to save sinners like us and like them.
"Sadly, all we got back from 'the gays' was hatred, expressed in screaming and obscene gestures, and threats of violence - actual violence on those four occasions during our hour of witness. I did not see any tolerance from the supposedly tolerant, nor any respect for the right of free speech. It is as if Satan cannot bear one word of dissent.
"Yesterday, as we protested at the Chinese Embassy against their appalling abuses of human rights, such as imprisonment without trial, torture and enforced abortion, I wondered how human beings can behave in such a depraved manner and with such lack of humanity to those who just disagree with them. Today, seeing the evil on display in London 'Gay Pride', and the hatred towards Christians, I am beginning to understand. How this world needs to know the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ."
ENDS
Further information from Stephen Green call: 07931 490 050
(If your enquiry is less urgent, please email Stephen on: stephen@christianvoice.org.uk)
