said by neal_hove
on Wednesday, 28 September 2005, 9:50pm

Question Time

There is no way this "person" should be allowed space on british television.

said by Glyn
on Thursday, 29 September 2005, 11:51am

No he should not be on Question Time - simply appearing on the show helps to 'validate' his position in some people's eyes, by implying he has opinions worth expressing. His opinions could be viewed as 'Incitement to Hatred' and would be illegal if he expressed the same views of any other minority ethnic or religous group. UK Law should be changed (like in Ireland) where Incitement to Hatred towards gay people is a criminal offence. If he does appear on TV (and I hope he doesn't) I hope he is subjected to public ridicule. And anyway,(assuming you believe in God) Isn't God meant to love everyone ?

said by Glyn
on Thursday, 29 September 2005, 12:40pm

Proof that Stephen Green's views would be illegal in Ireland & other countries with comprehensive 'Incitement to Hatred' legislation:

http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/front/2003/0802/720611077HM1POPE.html

said anonymously
on Thursday, 29 September 2005, 2:36pm

A Christian's Voice

I'm a Christian, and I'm gay. It's an interesting combination. I'm a Christian because I believe in God and that he sent His son Jesus to die on a cross for my sins. For your sins. For all of us. I'm gay because I was born that way. That's what I believe.

God is love. He loves us all unconditionally and completely - whether Christians on not. That never changes, but He doesn't like some of the things we do - our sins. No sin is any worse than any other - whether you steal something from work or murder your mum, a sin is a sin.

He forgives the sins of those choose to believe in Him, who accept Him into their hearts and who repent of their sins. And that's where it gets a bit more complicated... 'cause if you know you're committing a sin and carry on regularly committing it, then you're not really sorry that you've done it. Are you?

Different denominations of 'the church' and many Christian organisations and movements have widely varying views on and beliefs about homosexuality. Some pretty much accept it, others are totally against it. I can't say who's right and who's wrong, but I can have my own beliefs - as can each of us.

The beliefs of any part of 'the church' are the beliefs of those who subscribe to that particular group - they shouldn't be imposed upon the rest of humanity. If you don't believe in God and wouldn't class yourself as a Christian, then you have no need to justify yourself or your way of life to those who do.

The Evangelical Alliance (www.eauk.org) is an umbrella organisation representing over one million Bible-believing, evangelical Christians in the UK. It's made up of member churches, organisations and individuals. Homosexuality has been a big issue for 'the church' and over several years, they've sought to summarise a common position for the majority of modern Christians. Some extracts from their report, "Faith, Hope and Homosexuality" are:
• We recognise that all of us are sinners, and that the only true hope for sinful people - whether homosexual or heterosexual - is in Jesus Christ.
• We affirm God's love and concern for all humanity, including homosexual people, but believe homoerotic sexual practice to be incompatible with His will as revealed in Scripture.
• We repudiate homophobia insofar as it denotes an irrational fear or hatred of homosexuals. We do not accept, however, that to reject homoerotic sexual practice on biblical grounds is in itself homophobic.
• We deeply regret the hurt caused to lesbians and gay men by the Church's past and present hatred and rejection of them.
The full report is available at www.eauk.org/contentmanager/content/acute/fhh_original.pdf

Stephen Green seems to have some incredibly extreme beliefs about a lot of different things and, unfortunately, has done quite well at making them heard. If the BBC are not balancing his views with those of someone more credible, a peaceful protest is certainly in order.

said by Rob
on Thursday, 29 September 2005, 10:05pm

How did the protest go guys? I'll be tuning in at 10.35 to see what happens!

said anonymously
on Friday, 30 September 2005, 8:39am

My Book's better than your book.

There was plenty of local support for the hastily organised peaceful protest outside the Dome last night. We didn't get to see Stephen Green of course... he was obviously taken round the back entrance (a double entendre that wasn't lost on us as we stood waiting). We did at least get to wave our placards at the mostly understanding audience as they arrived for the recording. Aside from some drive-by abuse ("get a life!") and a man who, somewhat bizarrely, shouted "hate is good" at us on his way in, everyone met the banners with smiles and many stopped to ask what the protest was about.

We're left wondering just why Green had been invited to share his unrepresentative, minority opinions on matters of national interest, alongside a panel of political heavyweights? Why do we care what this man thinks? Why should he have a voice on the panel?

It could be that the BBC felt tonight's show needed a bit of extremism thrown in there for the ratings. Someone to whip up some hatred at a time when apathy rules. Someone to get our blood boiling. Someone we can point at and laugh, even? Certainly that's what it looked like.

Perhaps we shouldn't be too concerned about giving people like Green the limelight. The more their rants are heard, the more chance people will have to see what a hateful thing small-mindedness can be.

But I think it would be dangerous not to voice our concerns wherever we find bigotry and piousness. We don't have to just sit back while he attempts to impose intolerance in the name of his god. Anyone who believes they have the right to tell us what to think and how to think it needs to be met with more than just indifference.

The loathsome man was let off very, very lightly.

said by Timmy
on Friday, 30 September 2005, 9:25am

Janet Street-Porter is a goddess

I might just get a statue of gold made of her and worship it.

said by Huw
on Friday, 30 September 2005, 2:15pm

Intolerant of intolerance

My experience of talking to members of the audience going in to Question Time yesterday was that they all agreed that it was offensive to Brighton itself to have someone being so intolerant on the programme. So many of us choose to live in Brighton, not just because of the "gay thing", but because the city allows everyone to be who they want to be, apart from being interolerant that is. Well done though to Shelia McWattie for being in the audeince and actually raising the issue of homophobia.

said by Huw
on Friday, 30 September 2005, 2:22pm

Question Time website

By the way, you can also add your comments about the programme to the BBC web site

said by Samwell
on Thursday, 10 November 2005, 3:36pm

What are the criteria for being asked to join the Question Time panel, I wonder?

I'm hoping that my aunt Edna be offered a place on next week's panel. She believes that all self-riteous extremists should be kindly asked to get off their high horses and taught to love a little. She also happens to believe that it is small-mindedness that is destroying the world, not homosexuals.

She is available for interview, talk-shows and panel games.