A Dutch Christian charity has had its funding withdrawn due to its stance on same-sex relationships.
Hart van Homo's (roughly translated as 'heart for gays') is an organisation that encourages Christians who experience same-sex attraction to be celibate. Dutch MPs, however, have pressured the government to cut funding because the charity 'sends the wrong message'.
The charity says it will continue to carry out its aims, although the reduction in funding may restrict its ability to do so.
Withdrawal of state funding
Hart van Homo's believes that Christians should "opt for friendship without a sexual relationship". Itwas revealed that the charity received state funding from an umbrella group, LCC+.
After it came to light that Hart van Homo's was being funded by this group, government minister Jet Bussemaker has asked LCC+ to submit a new application without Hart van Homo's.
Dutch Labour MP Keklik Yucel said: "This is a question of principle, not money. Should we be subsidising an organisation which conflicts with emancipation?"
Challenges for UK groups
In the UK, charities that aim to provide support for those with same-sex attraction face similar challenges.
In February this year, the group Living Out, which encourages Christians with same-sex attraction to live according to the Bible's teaching, was given charity status by the Charity Commission. This provoked a hostile response by some, including Conservative MP Mike Freer.
One of Living Out's leaders, Ed Shaw, said the group supports the work of those "who responsibly seek to help Christians who experience same-sex attraction as in conflict with their commitment to live in accordance with biblical teaching.
"This help will involve counsel and pastoral support to live a chaste life and . . . some may seek and experience changes in the strength and direction of their same-sex attractions."
On the Living Out website you can watch personal stories of those who have experienced same-sex attraction, yet found Christ and learnt, over time, to find fulfilment in Him and live according to His Word.
Core Issues Trust
Another group, the Core Issues Trust (CIT), provides counselling for those who experience unwanted same-sex attraction and voluntarily seek change in their sexual preference.
"It respects the rights of individuals who identify as 'gay' who do not seek change, and supports dignity for LGBT persons. It does not support gay 'marriage' - usually considered an 'equality' issue, premised on the belief that being gay is 'biological' and is therefore unchangeable. Core Issues Trust offers one-to-one support for individuals voluntarily seeking to leave homosexual behaviours and feelings. Please read our 'Statement on Prejudice'.
"The Royal College of Psychiatrists (2014) has recently affirmed that human sexuality is fluid for some, and therefore changeable in some cases. Core Issues Trust promotes the idea that individuals are not 'victims' of their sexual desires."
In 2013, the Christian Legal Centre supported CIT when the former Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, prevented a bus advert, designed by CIT, from being shown. The advert read: 'Not gay! Ex-gay, post-gay and proud! Get over it.'
It was in response to an advert permitted to run on London buses, by LGBT pressure group Stonewall, which read: 'Some people are gay. Get over it.'
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Christian charity funding cut over opposition to homosexual relationships (Christian Today)