I REFER to last Saturday's letter, 'Anglican Church and sexual ethics' by the Anglican Bishop of Singapore, Most Rev Dr John Chew.

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What rubbish. Please do not use the bible to mislead others about their sexual habits. Singapore is a multi-religion country and why the bible only? If this is what the bible claims, then all my clients should suffer death. Singles need SEX too!

This is not an appropriate topic to discuss here because it will invite very rough exchanges. The STTeam should be discreet when choosing a thread. I shall not dwell further on this issue because nothing pleasant will come out.

Please discern all the verses in the Bible spiritually and not physcially.

If humans continue to do so physically, mankind will continue to suffer endlessly.

Well it's a good thing that Christianity has put away the curse of the law and punitive punishment for breaking the laws in Levictus since Jesus came along then.

Mr Hueber cites Levictus and leaves out Romans where Paul also condemns homosexuality but doesn't mention anything of putting to death.

Don't worry too much Xiao Wei, we stopped the stoning of people to death thing since the founding of Christianity. Of course, I suppose your clients play Russian roulette everytime they use your services.

I don't have a Bible. I check the Gibson publication or go on the WWW to look for verses whenever I have been referred to it. A Sunni Muslim gave me an English version of the Koran, still brand new untouched.

It is best that the Bible and the religious books and scriptures of all major religions be in the hands of their spiritual leaders and followers for them to be guided by it at their congregation.

To use the Bible, scriptures, holy books, etc, quoting it [interpreting it, etc] and to guide the whole population like writing to the press, etc. by the spiritual leaders could cause resentment and unhappiness to the free thinkers and non believers in that community, isn't it?

"America's Anglican Church and many other Christian organisations came to the conclusion that nobody should be discriminated based on their sexual orientation, a view supported by most modern biologists and psychiatrists."

Wah ... such unsubstantiated statements editor also publish one. The NCCS represents the churches in Singapore (and most other denominations elsewhere), and I think Huber should at least CHECK this out before he LIED in his ST Forum letter. Of course, when the lie is acceptably palatable, it gets published by the ST Editor who couldn’t care less to check the FACTS.

I know only of one local church in Singapore which supports MSM, and that’s Free Community Church (which is considered by other denominations as apostate).

http://www.nccs.org.sg/statement.html

National Council of Churches of Singapore
Statement on Homosexuality
__________________________________________________

Preamble:
There has recently been wide discussion in the press and the Internet on the issue of homosexuality with different views expressed. Christians, like other thoughtful citizens, are also concerned about this issue. We present our position below as a guide to Christians in our member churches and as our witness, as concerned citizens, to the society in which we belong.

Our stand:
1) Recognizing the Bible as the authoritative standard for its faith and practice the Church has historically and consistently held the view that the practice of homosexuality is clearly incompatible with the teachings of the Christian faith. The only sexual relationship, sanctioned by God and given as a gift from God, is between a male and a female within the bounds of a monogamous marriage.

2) Therefore, we do not condone homosexual practice and we consider homosexual lifestyle as sinful and unacceptable. However, this does not mean that we reject or despise homosexuals (homophobia). We acknowledge that every person is loved by God and we all live under the grace of God. Homosexuals should be regarded and treated no less as persons of worth and dignity.

3) The Church is called to be a caring community and a sanctuary, always extending ministry to all persons. As sinners ourselves, we are committed to the path of true freedom made possible by the grace of God and found in and through obedience to Jesus Christ. Without minimizing their struggles, the Church offers those beset with homosexual desire the same opportunity to receive God's forgiveness and fulfillment in Jesus Christ and to experience His transforming power. Not accepting homosexual practice and lifestyle must not be confused with homophobia.

4) In public debate about homosexuality scientific data have sometimes been used to support certain claims. To the layperson, science has been unsuspectingly regarded as an objective discipline and conclusions based on its findings have been assumed as irrefutable and authoritative. But that is an assumption we do not accept especially with regard to attempts to give biological explanations to homosexual inclination and behaviour. We note that there is no clear evidence that homosexuality is biologically determined.

5) Though we deem homosexual lifestyle totally unacceptable on the basis of the Bible and our faith, we believe that unless there are legitimate reasons homosexuals, as individuals, should not be discriminated against in areas such as employment. It does not follow, however, that our society should be re-ordered or allowed to evolve to the extent that eventually homosexual practice is endorsed, permitted or encouraged as an alternative lifestyle. In this regard, we urge our government to maintain:
a) current legislation concerning homosexuality;
b) its policy of not permitting the registration of homosexual societies or clubs;
c) its policy of not allowing the promotion of homosexual lifestyle and activities.

6) As churches we seek to remain faithful to our Christian faith and practice. We shall strengthen the education of our members in the teachings and practices of our faith. We are committed to serving our nation by helping to preserve and promote wholesome values and lifestyles that will contribute to the well-being of our society.

29 July 2003

The 2000 years old bible should be treated as a historical text and its prescription should be read in the context of the Middle East society of its time. We should think more critically and independently in seeking answers to the problems of our time and not read too much into an old text.

And yes, Huuuber, Dr John Chew wasn't speaking for churches in America (where we also get pedophiliac pastors and polygamists priests), and I suppose you might want to quote the Bible as teaching pedophilia or polygamy with your juvenile hermeneutics.

But please at least do your research concerning what churches IN SINGAPORE say about MSM and homosexuality.

And it is funny reading what non-Christians have to say concerning a religion they haven’t even dipped their toes into. It’s like ballet dancers criticizing astrophysicists for their theories.

What year is this??? Still dwelling on something written more than 2000years ago??? Now its the 21Century, when men can become women and women can become men.

In the olden days, it was a sin even just to fantasize sex. There aren't any saint now, is there???