Christian factions rally

Press, 13 April 1985, Page 9

Christian factions rally

Opposing factions will air their views on the Homosexual Law Reform Bill in Cathedral Square tomorrow. A rally supporting the bill will be held by a group called Christians for Tolerance. The group wants to show that not all Christians have the same view as the Coalition of Concerned Christians who will hold a rally at the same time in opposition to the bill. A spokesman for Christians for Tolerance, Ms Phoebe Gray, said the group saw its role as supporting the rights of lesbians and homosexual men to freedom from New Zealand’s present “repressive laws ana intol-

erant attitudes." "As Christians, we see our role as being to teach tolerance and acceptance of different groups in our society,” she said.

“The life of Jesus Christ was one of helping the oppressed. Jesus taught us to work for the rights of those who are put down by the intolerant and bigoted." Ms Gray said that some people believed homosexuality was wrong but this was largely because of prejudiced ideas. “People should be free to find their own sexual preference, rather than being controlled by outdated laws,” she said.

The rally would spend time remembering the suf-

fering that lesbians and homosexual men had experienced, such as the torturing and mass murder that occurred in the concentration camps of Nazi Germany, said Ms Gray. A church service and public meeting will be held at Aranui High School tomorrow again to discuss the bill. The meeting is organised by 10 churches in north-east Christchurch, including Baptist, Brethren, Methodist, Maori Evangelical, Pentecostal, and Charismatic fellowships. Mr Graeme Lee, the national member of Parliament for Hauraki, will address the meeting. About 500 people are expected to attend.