Nagaland pastors blow whistle on gay judgment

By: John Malhotra

Monday, 13 July 2009, 17:39 (IST)

http://in.christiantoday.com/articles/nagaland-pastors-blow-whistle-on-gay-judgment/4209.htm

A fellowship of pastors from the commercial hub of Dimapur in the state of Nagaland is the latest to blow the whistle on Delhi High Court's gay ruling.

At a press meeting on Saturday, the Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship of Dimapur (BPFD) reproached the recent gay ruling that de-criminalised homosexuality.

"We are totally against the move and we demand the Union Government to overturn the verdict," they said.

President of BPFD Rev Loli Kape maintained that homosexuality is very "unnatural" and "against all kinds of morality."

However, during the conversation at the Town Baptist Church, many of the church leaders concurred that the clergy does not condemn homosexuals and is in open arms to accept and render spiritual counseling.

President of East India Baptist Bible College in Tezpur, Dr DJ Das, said homosexuality was a moral and behavioral challenge faced by many. They require understanding and accommodation, he said, clarifying "accommodation does not mean we approve their behavior and lead to its sustenance."

He also points that homosexuality was not the only major challenge facing the society. “Drug abuse, addiction to porn, hatred for the opposite sex, rebellion, transgender thoughts etc” were faced by many men, women, boys and girls of our society, he was quoted saying.

These challenges, he argues, must not lead to one's suppression. These balks should rather be overcome by self or through spiritual counseling, he suggests, adding that "no one is beyond help."

On July 2, the Delhi High Court declared that homosexual sex between consenting adults is not a crime and must be unpunished. The ruling overturns a 149-year-old colonial law which described a same-sex relationship as an "unnatural offence" under section 377 of the India Penal Code (IPC).

All major Christian groups in India have condemned the judgment, which they have termed as "shocking" and "deplorable".