The OBserver's homophobe of the week is...

The storm around the Philippa Stroud shabang is ridiculous. I've just had the chance to banter it out over t'internet with some nutjob leftie, and I feel safe recounting the debate here. Unless someone can come up with more tangible proof of homophobia, I'm in the sceptic camp:

@coastguy, I don't know the woman at all, but having read the article they have an unnamed source making a fairly hefty accusation 4 days before a general election. I don't know whether it's true or not: But they should at least reveal where they get their information. Btw, I heard today from 'X' that John Prescott used to go round hull intimidating the local Asian population!?!?!?! How bad is that!? By lawless at 02/05/2010 20:36:58

She wrote a book, God's Heart for the Poor, so that's where much of this comes from. She isn't really denying any of it. There's another article about her here: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/12037 By barriejohn at 02/05/2010 21:20:29

Here are the principles of her church: http://www.newfrontierstogether.org/Groups/115292/Newfrontiers/Magazine/Current_Issue/Vision_and_Values/Vision_and_Values.aspx "A church where Biblical family life is highly valued, where husband and wife embrace male servant leadership and joyful female submission, where godly parenting is taught and practised and where the special value of singleness and its unique opportunities are affirmed." By barriejohn at 02/05/2010 21:22:52

Nothing about "gay lifestyles" there! By barriejohn at 02/05/2010 21:23:51

well I've seen the quotes thw Guardian lidtedd from the book ,they're hardly all that incriminating are they? I mean, if the best they could do was get ""We discovered further layers of the tangle when she admitted to previous lesbian relationships and to being on the receiving end of abuse from her family," Stroud writes, adding: "No wonder she was in such a mess!"" then I think the gay community can rest easy. I've met homophobic Tories: she doesn't sound like one to me. By lawless at 02/05/2010 21:24:26

*lifted By lawless at 02/05/2010 21:25:21

I just can't believe people think homosexuality equality laws will be repealed. By Sensation at 02/05/2010 21:28:34

So you're perfectly hasppy with someone who regards homosexuality as evidence of demon possession then, that they ar able to "heal" you of by prayer and laying on of hands? I'm gobsmacked! By barriejohn at 02/05/2010 21:31:05

And what about this twaddle as well? In the book she discusses the daily struggle of running the hostel. "One girl lived in the hostel for some time, became a Christian, then choked to death on her own vomit after a drinking bout. Her life had changed to some extent, but we wondered whether God knew that she hadn't the will to stick with it and was calling her home." Yet another Christian who thinks that death is preferable to life for a perfactly healthy young person! THEY are the sick ones!! By barriejohn at 02/05/2010 21:33:33

It is you that have linked this demon thing and the debate about homophobia. I've not looked extensively at the book, but until I am shown evidence that she has written or said that homophobia is caused by 'demons' then I'm going to assume she's not a terrible person. I'm not her apologist: If she believes bull shit like that then I'd want her to disappear. but PROVE it. By lawless at 02/05/2010 21:35:07

Sensation: You're too complacent! Look what they have achieved in America, where gay marriage laws have now been overturned. The same people are bankrolling Christian fundamentalists in this country, as one of the articles referred to above clearly states. By barriejohn at 02/05/2010 21:36:58

Are you seriously saying though, that there is NO-ONE in the Labour or Lib-Dem parties who ALSO may feel this strongly towards religion? By Sensation at 02/05/2010 21:37:29

@barrie that quote underpins Christianity. I don't believe in it myself, but I can see why some would find solace in a tortured girl being at peace in an afterlife. Where does defending gay rights end and persecuting christian beliefs begin Barrie? By lawless at 02/05/2010 21:40:17

oh no, some MP for a place i have never heard of doesn't agree with homosexuality, guess i should forfeit my beliefs on every other single issue and not vote conservative... By jensen666 at 02/05/2010 21:40:52

She hasn't denied it: she has only stated that she is not "prejudiced aginst gay people", which is their standard line. I know these Evangelical Alliance people well, as I associated with them for years! By barriejohn at 02/05/2010 21:42:03

I am profoundly confused:

How can it be that the British public can emancipate a crackpot, ill prepared, inconsistent party like the Liberal Democrats on the basis of 90 terrible tedious minutes?

I hope and pray this is nought but a blip in support- a protest. This would certainly not be surprising. But nonetheless, the Conservative manifesto has not caught imagination in the way it should have done. The public wanted a big idea, and it got one. Now it has shrunk away from Conservatism and fallen in the lap of another toothless policy-lite façade.

I'm starting to think people just don't know what's good for them...

election countdown...

Boulton socks one to Brown

Election guidelines suggest Election platforms should not be built on NHS property.

And it turns out we spent £2.5 billion on that NHS hospital Brown pompously stands in, yet the cost of the hospital was only £600 million. PFI strikes again- see Private Eye Ad nauseum .

Labour election video

Lots of working class white people eh?

Where's the social rainbow?

And if 'everyone's opinion matters', why does the young teen in the video have such ridiculous causes to champion? His opinions don't matter to me, and rather act as a commentary on the type of young person who becomes enraptured by the nannying of the Labour party.

What is more, isn't his portrayal a bit, well, stereotypical? The Conservatives are the party of youth and the future.

Labour's silent

Right, underway for the elections. I'll stick with it this time...

Rumours abound that it might be illegal to have a party event in a hospital... oh dear Labour

Here's hoping.

Also, doesn't Bevanite Ellie look rather too close to the party machine at Labour's election event?

lolz

:D