It has been widely reported, and blogged, that Boris Johnson has stepped in to ban an advertisement from London buses because it suggests that gay sentiment is not established at birth, but instead is a lifestyle choice. For this audacity the Mayor of London has decided that it needs to be banned - see for instance the Guardian report here. Of course this ban has increased the reach of the advert across the internet way beyond the impact of a few London buses, and it will likely run and run as it seems to have forced a breach of contract with the involvement now of lawyers.
Johnson is reported to have said that: "London is one of the most tolerant cities in the world and intolerant of intolerance." Of course the ironic incoherence of such a statement is lost in our modern world, where one can be both tolerant and intolerant at the same time. Such fluidity in the meaning and use of words has historically been a route to tyranny where even the concept of human value becomes relative as it loses its objective meaning, and for Christians the loss of freedom of thought and conscience is becoming a reality, as George Carey has also recently pointed out. The backers of this campaign are reported to be orthodox Anglicans, not your average religious fanatic, but they receive a kicking from Johnson nonetheless. Perhaps Johnson with his classical training is happy with platonic 'double truths', but real love can only come out of coherence and honest dialogue.
There is nothing unloving about discussing the origin of gay sentiment, in fact just to say to a confused young person that they are gay and must give into it is a recipe for increased confusion, not for clarity of thought. From the words of Jesus - it is the truth that sets us free (John 8:32). Let us at least have an honest debate about it. Sadly, this is just one area in our modern society where reason and debate are suppressed and anyone who dares to question is personally vilified. Other areas include xxxxxxx xxxxxx and xxxxxxxx.
Johnson is reported to have said that: "London is one of the most tolerant cities in the world and intolerant of intolerance." Of course the ironic incoherence of such a statement is lost in our modern world, where one can be both tolerant and intolerant at the same time. Such fluidity in the meaning and use of words has historically been a route to tyranny where even the concept of human value becomes relative as it loses its objective meaning, and for Christians the loss of freedom of thought and conscience is becoming a reality, as George Carey has also recently pointed out. The backers of this campaign are reported to be orthodox Anglicans, not your average religious fanatic, but they receive a kicking from Johnson nonetheless. Perhaps Johnson with his classical training is happy with platonic 'double truths', but real love can only come out of coherence and honest dialogue.
There is nothing unloving about discussing the origin of gay sentiment, in fact just to say to a confused young person that they are gay and must give into it is a recipe for increased confusion, not for clarity of thought. From the words of Jesus - it is the truth that sets us free (John 8:32). Let us at least have an honest debate about it. Sadly, this is just one area in our modern society where reason and debate are suppressed and anyone who dares to question is personally vilified. Other areas include
