tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7447457.post777968927606910714..comments2023-09-20T13:18:11.947+01:00Comments on Graham's Uncommon Place : Where is freedom of speech?Graham Weekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780884820746512099noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7447457.post-76450908322982629742008-08-15T17:10:00.000+01:002008-08-15T17:10:00.000+01:00I do not believe there is a genetic basis to sexua...I do not believe there is a genetic basis to sexual orientation and I do know people can change. There are several Christian groups offering change led by people who have changed.See for example http://www.truefreedomtrust.co.uk/Graham Weekshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06780884820746512099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7447457.post-87076025062396155562008-08-13T11:37:00.000+01:002008-08-13T11:37:00.000+01:00Hi Graham,I find your blog both insightful and int...Hi Graham,<BR/><BR/>I find your blog both insightful and interesting. However, I have something of a problem regarding your views on Iris Robinson. Although everyone has a right to free speech (politicians included), there are some things which should be expressed in private. Iris Robinson fails to understand the complexity of homosexuality, and the possible implications of her remarks, and how they might be interpreted whilst launching them into the public domain for varied consumption. She also fails to acknowledge she is part of a government overseeing a complex and increasingly varied society. Times have changed and the Old Testament has no relevance from her and the D.U.P.s cherry picking.<BR/><BR/>By suggesting, and in effect promoting a ‘cure,’ is effectively to denounce and deny the identity of homosexuals. I wonder what Iris Robinson would say of the various animals and insects who frequently practice homosexuality within the realm of nature.<BR/><BR/>For my part, I believe homosexuality to be genetic. Many know instinctively (as far as human have them) that they are somehow different at a very young age. Their arousal and attraction are not a conscious decision, it forms part of who they are, whether they accept it or not. Just as black people are not white, gay people are not straight. They world is not a spectrum of black or white. The shades of gray are complexities often beyond our own comprehension and prejudice.Kris Achesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00922163756420311479noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7447457.post-53109445634274255602008-06-15T07:23:00.000+01:002008-06-15T07:23:00.000+01:00Thank you Stephen. Before your response prompted m...Thank you Stephen. Before your response prompted me I had not read this in the Belfast telegraph. "The comments were made in the wake of a homophobic attack in which Stephen Scott (27), from Newtownabbey, suffered a head injury, a leg injury and broken ribs.<BR/><BR/>Three youths, thought to be in their late teens, knocked him to the ground and continued kicking and punching him as they shouted insults.<BR/><BR/>Sinn Fein has demanded Mrs Robinson resign as chair of the Assembly's health committee, and the party's Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness also said she should consider the impact of her remarks.<BR/><BR/>Mrs Robinson has refused to apologise, claiming she is standing up for God and has every right to express her view.<BR/><BR/>Meanwhile, the police last night confirmed they have taken legal advice to establish if Mrs Robinson's comments amount to an incitement of hatred under anti-discrimination legislation in Northern Ireland.<BR/><BR/>Among those who have complained to police is John O'Doherty, a member of the South Belfast District Policing Partnership, who gave police a transcript of the comments the senior DUP party member made on the BBC's Stephen Nolan radio show.<BR/><BR/>Mr O'Doherty said: "People like Mrs Robinson need to learn that their comments have consequences. I believe her comments amount to an incitement to hatred and I have made a formal complaint to police.""<BR/><BR/>I still have no access to the original interview but I deplore all violence and doubt the effectiveness of much psychiatry. I would not direct a person to a doctor to talk about sexual orientation but to a person who will give Christian pastoral counsel.Graham Weekshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06780884820746512099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7447457.post-53575029825402334382008-06-14T11:01:00.000+01:002008-06-14T11:01:00.000+01:00Do you think that saying there is psychiatric 'cur...Do you think that saying there is psychiatric 'cure' for homosexuals is an appropraite response to the question of a homophobic attack on a young man? Besides which freedom of speech and expression need to work both ways.<BR/><BR/>Beacuse that is the way the whole issue started. Now I do not deny Mrs Robinson's religions beliefs. However, it was the escalation and over reaction to the initial situatoin that is not use of freedom of speech but is misuse of that right and for someone in her position, ie the chair of Health Committee, is seen as an authoritative statement on something which the relevant profession, under her remit, have had to deny.Stephen Glennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03027718551675624433noreply@blogger.com