London transport officials have blocked an advertising campaign suggesting homosexuals can turn from their sin and live in the manner in which God intended.
The proposed advertisements from Christian group 'Core Issues Trusts' (which
advocates "reparative therapy" to turn homosexuals straight), were slated
to run for two weeks starting Monday 9 April on buses serving five routes in
London.
Bearing the message, "Not gay! Post-gay, ex-gay and proud. Get over it,"
the advertisements were clearly designed to mimic a recent ad campaign from gay
equality group Stonewall that read, "Some people are gay. Get over it."
London Mayor Boris Johnson, who chairs Transport for London, ordered
that the advertisements booked by Core Issues be pulled amid public
outcry over the campaign.
"London is one of the most tolerant cities in the world and intolerant
of intolerance," Johnson said Thursday. "It is clearly offensive to
suggest being gay is an illness someone recovers from and I am not
prepared to have that suggestion driven around London on our buses."
Stonewall spokesman Andy Wasley welcomed the decision, saying the group
is "delighted" by Transport for London's commitment to diversity.
However, Core Issues' co-director Mike Davidson criticised the move as
censorship and said his group had gone through the proper channels to
book the ads.
"It is of deep concern that there can only be one point of view and that
is the point of view of individuals who are determined to push through
gay marriage and apparently believe that homosexuality cannot be altered
in any possible way," he said.
"This is a disturbing development."
The advertising campaign was also backed by Christian group Anglican
Mainstream and cleared by industry regulator the Advertising Standards
Authority.
Core Issues' website states that their organisation is "a non-profit Christian
initiative seeking to support men and women with homosexual issues who
voluntarily seek change in sexual preference and expression."
Evidently, London is prepared to tolerate the promotion of the perversion that is sodomy, but completely unprepared to tolerate the biblical message that reaches out in love to sinners and points them to Christ as the only Saviour.
