St Matthew’s LGBT view is ‘deeply offensive’

I WAS saddened to read (ODT, 17.11.18) that the minister at St Matthew’s Church has led the majority of his congregation to depart from the Anglican Diocese of Dunedin because of his views on homosexuality.

It will have been a painful decision for everyone, but particularly so for the 21% of parishioners who voted to remain. The months ahead will be very challenging.

The Rev Stu Crosson opposes the blessing of samesex marriage, saying that homosexuality is ‘‘an abomination’’. This term is deeply offensive to gay and lesbian people. Synonyms in Google are ‘‘atrocity, disgrace, horror, obscenity, outrage, curse, torment, evil, crime, monstrosity, etc’’.

Is it acceptable to describe any person or group in our modern society in these terms? I have grave concerns for any young LGBT person growing up in Mr Crosson’s congregation.

New Zealand law and society now accept the homosexual condition as a perfectly normal aspect of human sexuality. So do many churches. LGBT people are specifically welcomed into All Saints Anglican, Knox Presbyterian, Glenaven and Mornington Methodist churches. There may be others.

I think it is important for your readers to be aware that Mr Crosson’s views are not those of many

Christians or theologians.

Euan Thomson

Mornington

Ballet review

LIKE the reviewer of The

Nutcracker (ODT, 19.11.18), I was thrilled with the enchanting interpretation of the story by the Royal New Zealand Ballet.

However, I was dismayed by the omission of any mention of the sensitive and professional playing of Tchaikovsky’s beautiful music by our own Dunedin Symphony Orchestra which enhanced and supported the dancers so well.

It was hard to pick out any one section of the orchestra but the exhilarating and intricate playing of the wind section and a beautiful cello solo were outstanding.

Stella Cullington

Company Bay