If you are not already aware of him, Symon Hill is probably one to watch – or perhaps even one to walk alongside. On his blog Repenting of homophobia he explains why he plans to walk from Birmingham to London from 16 June to 1 July to ‘repent of homophobia’. A self-confessed ex-homophobic Christian, he has got the support of several church groups, and has even received a message of support from the former Bishop of Oxford Richard Harries. It’s a walk, though, not a run – he has allowed himself plenty of time as he will be giving talks at churches along the way.
His article Christianity and homophobia in Britain today is excellent. This is an article that should be read by Christians of all persuasions. Read it. Ask your friends to read it – especially your Christian friends. Pass it on. There is definitely some great ‘food for thought’ here, even for Christians who think their minds are made up. He includes within it ‘a whistlestop tour through significant moments in the history of Christianity’, starting:
We begin with Jesus, who practised radical inclusivity, challenged the powerful and taught forgiveness, nonviolence and love for all people, including enemies. He proclaimed freedom – freedom from social, political, religious and emotional oppression. They killed Jesus because he was too free.
He asks us all to look again at our own behaviour to see if we are really living out the example of Jesus:
Today, those who talk loudest about “Christian values” are often those who pay least attention to Jesus’ lifestyle and teachings. I am not suggesting that Jesus would be relaxed about sexual ethics or condone all sexual practices in our society. He condemned child abuse. His principles of love and fidelity are contrary to sexual activity that is selfish, coercive, manipulative, deceitful or without love for others involved.
Hill also makes a powerful case why doing nothing, for the sake of unity, is simply not good enough:
…it is vital that inclusive Christians stand up and speak out firmly against the exclusion and marginalisation of sexual minorities. As long as the anti-equality lobby can claim that they represent Christianity, they are able to give the impression of having a great many supporters while they misuse the language of rights and liberty to promote their agenda. I understand that many inclusive Christians care about unity and I’m not suggesting that we should treat all those who struggle with the issues as outright bigots. Nonetheless, there are times when we must choose between the idol of unity and the God of love.
Let me just repeat those last words – because they spoke strongly to me: ‘There are times when we must choose between the idol of unity and the God of love’.
I’m really thrilled Symon is doing this and I hope it will be a great encouragement to others to speak out and altogether to be more active on this issue. Flocked Out wishes Symon Hill all the best in his walk and, more importantly, in his impressive endeavors to spread such a positive message on this important and relevant issue. I have a feeling it will catch the imagination of a great many people. Do Symon and favour and spread the word via Twitter, or Facebook, by email, or, dare I say it, even by word of mouth.
Symon Hill’s walk is today the subject of this article on The Guardian website.
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