Shoreham-by-Sea

08/01/2013

Dear Mr Cameron,

I realise that you have a tremendous responsibility as our Prime Minister in these challenging days for our Nation, you need all the wisdom that you can get to lead us down the right path. There is some good advice given by the apostle Paul, given in the passage that you read at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Thanksgiving service. It is a passage that speaks of our not being conformed to the world and it shows to us the way that we can know God’s perfect will for us. What concerns me greatly is that you read these words from God’s Holy Word and yet you do not seem to be following the teaching of this passage. Let me remind you of some of the words you read,

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2       Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.  (Romans 12:1–2).

If you were to follow the teaching contained here you would subject your policy decisions to God and you would seek his will both in prayer and by submitting yourself to God’s word. Your conduct over the matter of gay marriage shows that you are not willing to do this and it saddens me deeply. The state has no right to change something that God ordained at the creation of the world and that is that marriage is between one man and one woman. You simply do not understand the feeling of opposition to this legislation.  The way the consultation was set up; those of us who oppose this legislation were not allowed a credible voice. The terms of the consultation was how to implement a redefinition of marriage, it has therefore been impossible to make proper contributions to a process one opposes when the cards are already stacked against opposition.

It will not do to accuse us of being homophobic, yes I believe that homosexual behaviour is sinful but the same Bible that teaches me that also teaches me to love and respect the sinner. I have worked with gay men and have had working relationships with them, one of whom was my manager and he was one of the best men I have ever worked for. It is also interesting that the word phobic is not used against Christians when they say that fornication or adultery are not right, it only appears when we discuss issues connected with homosexuality. This demonstrates to me that gay rights have become something of a taboo to even question, yet we live in a democracy. Why can’t we  discuss these issues with a greater deal of respect. You claim that you prize the Christian influence on our country and yet at the same time you are undermining Christian morality.

If God was taken noticed of and listened to our Country would change for the better because we would see the wisdom of the creator not only in the issues surrounding marriage but in every area of government. I could give a list of other issues that need to be put in the context of biblical teaching but I will refrain from doing so.

I just want to mention one area where I hope the government will continue to maintain its policies and that is in the area of foreign aid, as a nation I believe we should give foreign aid and I am glad that you have pledged to protect it.

I would acknowledge in closing that the Bible commands me to pray for you and all those in authority, so please be assured of my prayers both for yourself and the whole cabinet.

Yours sincerely

(Rev) David P Rollings