While the Church sleeps...
Dr Lisa Nolland says we need to take seriously the pan-sexual revolution which is overwhelming our society
Dr Lisa Nolland
Before D-Day, the Allies needed to test new weaponry.
The only suitable open space for trying out flail tanks was a local cricket pitch. Complaints were silenced with: ‘But there’s a war on’.
After reading John Benton’s editorial ‘I hope I’m wrong…’ (en September), the scenario of a war came to mind. The editor points to the evident suppression of religious freedom around human rights issues on sex and marriage across the West and ponders an underground church future.
Those of us who track the present ‘wars’ (the pan-sexual revolution which is becoming increasingly totalitarian) have long been alarmed. Most evangelical Christian leaders seem unable to comprehend the magnitude of what is going on and the woeful inadequacy of our engagement.
Before it’s too late
However, it is not too late. In the main we are in this situation because our church leaders have refused to challenge the claims of the sexual revolution or admit the epic consequences of failing to do so. My goals here are: first, to learn from the past; and then, second- ly, to explore positive, strategic responses.
Readers may or may not agree with my analysis. However, I ask that the full significance of current events be allowed to sink in. These wars are not ‘just one more thing’, but world-changing as well as insidious. They have enveloped Western institutions while an apparently vocal, thriving and upbeat church was busy elsewhere. If leaders are not fussed, why should others worry?
A recent example involves a Christian primary school teacher a year or so on from heavy involvement in her university CU. Now, forced to teach her 5–6 year olds about gay marriage in a ‘nice’ CofE school, she has concerns. She even had a child announcing he was ‘gay’. Though well taught by her CU, she ponders the lack of attention to this area.
Déjà vu
It is not overblown to say that events of the 1930s are relevant to present struggles. Here are three observations:
First, we look back on the 1930s with angry incredulity at the blindness of German Christian leaders. How could they have ignored events at the heart of public life, occurring before their very eyes?
Well, are we any different? The press of preaching duties, conferences, programmes, financial and pastoral crises, etc., mean that politically-incorrect, controversial issues just get buried. The herd/tribe mentality is as strong as that of ‘Let’s just be positive. God is good, all the time!’
The culture in church circles is a million miles away from that of many secular workplaces. Moreover there are potent but subconscious assumptions made by leaders. Given (almost daily) LGBT conditioning, many in their flock now ‘see the light’, but because of the subconscious but tacit ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’, aren’t saying.
Habits of the heart
Another way of speaking about this relates to de Tocqueville’s ‘habits of the heart’, unspoken but powerful operating assumptions which pre-determine what we are willing to give plausibility to and engage with.
Why was Churchill unwilling to ignore what was happening in Germany in the 1930s? What did he have which far more respectable opponents like Halifax lacked? The latter chose to turn a blind eye and thus tacitly collude and, after September 1939, actively appease. Churchill was willing to know, which made all the difference. People may not be losing their lives but they are losing their jobs for being non-pc.
What counts as evidence?
Secondly, and this time from the Jewish angle, what factors led some Jews to flee, while others, facing the same horrific developments, chose to stay? Was it a matter of where they chose to focus their attention?
I am hearing evangelical Christians dismiss concerns like mine. For instance, Stonewall isn’t in their school now so why the fuss? And I am told that people like me just give Christianity a bad name.
So what happens when staff (and Stonewall supporters) demand their school become ‘safe’ for all? With set-ups like: ‘So, you want gays to kill themselves then, do you?’ it is game over. Of course we don’t want gays to kill themselves, but the set-up’s point is simply to shut down any argument.
The implications of the fact that Stonewall (just one LGBT programme) is presently in several hundred schools appear not to have registered with Christian leaders, nor have milestones like Prince William’s and the Red Arrows’ recent promotion of gay rights. Though Christian leaders can and do ignore them, others are not so lucky.
Undoubtedly some educators, Royals and RAF members are deeply disturbed, but where is the resistance?
I’m all right, Jack
Thirdly, I think of Niemöller’s haunting saying: ‘First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out – because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists and I did not speak out…’ ending with Niemöller’s own arrest with no one left to speak for him.
In the same way, countless Western Christians are sacked, fined, etc., for opposing LGBT rights in public but find themselves deserted and even blamed for the mess. Just because we may not agree (necessarily) with every aspect of every case does not mean that we don’t need to stand for freedom of conscience and speech and association for all. And church leaders need to show the way in this.
Positive strategic responses
We are involved in two different but related theatres of war. The first revolves around the increasingly ‘alternative’ pan-sexual revolution which is particularly targeting our children. The second is an alarming growth of political totalitarianism under the guise of being PC and non-discriminatory. Note: I agree some PC concerns are good; I focus on the bad.
Justin Welby now heavily promotes LGBT concerns. Though I believe his solutions are wrong, he is right to highlight their plight.
The New Atlantis has recently exposed ‘born gay’ mythology while affirming sexual fluidity; lesbian psychologist Lisa Diamond has also re-emphasised sexual fluidity and the reality of change for both minors and adults of both sexes.1 Given Lambeth’s ethos, will Archbishop Welby even get the memos?
In terms of the wider church, because there is such profound ignorance and mistrust of psychology, those who find themselves with unwanted same sex attraction (SSA) are not being offered proper help.
Joseph Nicolosi explores the imprisoning role of unresolved shame and trauma; www.josephnicolosi.com/ has more. Mike Davidson and CORE Issues Trust in this country help increasing numbers out of homosexuality as well: www.core-issues.org/
The ‘New Normal’ Conference
Christian Concern is putting on The ‘New Normal’ Conference on 12 November, meeting at Emmanuel Centre, London, to equip delegates to engage with the increasing confusion about sexuality and gender at home, in schools and in society. What would you do if your daughter says she is a boy or your son decides he’s gay? What about Stonewall’s claims to make schools ‘safe’? Safe for whom? These and other concerns will be addressed.2
The church is understandably wary of direct political engagement. However, because almost everything now is ‘political’ it must up its game. ‘Just because you do not take an interest in politics does not mean politics won’t take an interest in you’ (Pericles).
In Maryland, for instance, biological males who claim they are females now can play on girls’ sports teams, and that includes showers, overnight sleeping arrangements, etc. Parents must not be informed. Trans’ rights trumps all, even those of youngsters who could be seriously traumatised. Where is the outrage?3 Massachusetts is also forcing LGBT accommodation onto the church, yet who sounds the alarm?4
We live in a democracy and have a duty to get involved, based on proper information. The American elections are coming soon. Do Christians know where both candidates stand on vital issues such as LGBT rights and religious freedoms? They are very different, yet I am constantly hearing the opposite. LifeSiteNews and Franklin Graham offer helpful analysis.5
Finally, because we live in a global village, please pray! My Kenyan colleagues are worried sick by the thought of a Clinton victory, largely because of how they have suffered under Obama’s LGBT Crusade, and she promises to up the ante.6 So for them November is almost a matter of life and death.
1. http://www.thenewatlantis.com/docLib/20160819_TNA50SexualityandGender.pdf; http://www.aoiusa.org/american-psychological-association-course-correction-sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity-not-fixed-after-all/
2. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-new-normal-tickets-26945911948
4. https://pjmedia.com/faith/2016/09/09/massachusetts-forces-lgbt-accommodation-rules-on-churches/
5. For instance, https://www.lifesitenews.com/ajax/email-article/news/hillary-clinton-religious-objections-to-homosexuality-like-supporting-honor; https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/trump-reaches-out-to-catholics-names-advisory-board-that-includes-santorum; https://decisionamericatour.com/about/
6. http://www.advocate.com/current-issue/2016/7/25/advocate-interview-hillary-clinton
