A HAMILTON pastor whose church gained international attention for its anti-gay marriage message says it’s impossible to say anything negative without being labelled a bigot.
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A flashing electronic sign in the church’s window which reads “You are here because God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve”, has been condemned by the Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby.
The sign has also displayed the message “None of us owe our existence to same-sex sexual relationships”.
Reverend Trevor Walmsley, from the Baptist Church in Gray Street, said he knew the sign would be controversial but he wanted people to think about same-sex marriage.
Mr Walmsley said anyone who was against same-sex marriage was attacked personally for their views.
“You can’t say anything negative without being called a bigot or homophobic,” he said.
“It’s emotionally-charged stuff, but we should be able to sit down and talk about it.“I’m not here as a gay basher. All people are the same.
“I feel if it was legislated I would have a real problem. I think we have to be careful where this debate goes.
“I love our country. I have the right to an opinion and the right to say it.
“I don’t want to be seen as a gay basher or homophobic. I care about all people, that’s my job.”
Mr Walmsley has been a pastor for 30 years and has lived in Hamilton for five years. He said his congregation had been very supportive of the message.
“It’s the people in the pews who I am accountable to, not someone in an office,” he said.
“We should be able to talk about this in a rational way. The idea was to encourage people to think about same-sex marriage. It’s a relevant issue at the moment.” Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby acting convener Sally Goldner said the message was not very Christianly.
She said when it came to the God and creation concept the fact was that gay, lesbians and bisexuals exist.
“Can’t people come up with an original response?” she said.
“That sort of stuff it seems comes from the Old Testament not the New Testament.
“If this is happening in a small country town where there is no structural support for young gay and lesbians, then it cannot be good.
“He might not be a bigot but he has to realise the attitude he expresses is prejudice,” she said.
