THE Bishop of Chester is to be interviewed by police after he said gay people should seek medical help.
Dr Peter Forster, one of the most senior bishops in the country whose diocese stretches as far as Stockport and Dukinfield, said some gays should "reorientate" themselves with the help of the medical profession.
He is one of 23 senior bishops. He is a member of the House of Lords and is well known for his conservative views.
At the weekend a complaint was made to police that his remarks - made to his local newspaper and reported by the Manchester Evening News on Saturday - had caused offence and could allegedly be described as "hate crime".
Today a police spokesman said: "We have received a complaint. We will examine the issues raised in the complaint and speak to the reporter and the bishop before considering any further action."
At the weekend gay activists branded his words dangerous and offensive.
The row comes soon after the consecration of the Anglican Church's first openly-gay bishop, Gene Robinson, in the United States.
The American bishop - who is in a long-term gay relationship - took up his new job at the beginning of this month.
The appointment - and that of Dr Jeffrey John, a celibate homosexual who was proposed as Bishop of Reading but who later resigned - threatens to split the church.
The Bishop of Chester said: "Some people who are primarily homosexual can reorientate themselves.
"I would encourage them to consider that as an option but I would not set myself up as a specialist on the subject - that's in the area of psychiatric health."
The bishop will be questioned under the provisions of the Public Order Act of 1986 with covers race, faith, religion or disability or sexuality.
Today Martin Reynolds, spokesman for the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, said he welcomed the police investigation.
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Julie Smith, Whitefield (10/11/2003 at 12:57)
I consider myself a 'well informed' mother, and whilst the gay community want free speech ....I do too! Although I have to admit to feeling intimidated by the gay community. I feel that if this bishops comments are inflammatory then there are many books that should be banned too!
I picked up a copy of 'bringing up BOYS' by Dr James Dobson, and feel that it is rather excellent. Dr Dobson was being interviewed by Larry King on Satellite TV whilst I was in America - I thought that what he had to say was most reasonable, and I must point out - that what Dr Dobson suggested was along the lines of Bishop Forster.
P.117 of this book says - 'Psychologist George Rekers says there is considerable evidence that change of sexual orientation is possible - with or without psychiatric intervention. He wrote "In a sizable number of cases ....the gender-identity disorder resolves fully" etc...etc...
Should this book be banned? You can pick up a copy in Waterstones!
I do not wish any of the gay community any harm whatsoever, it saddens me greatly if any suffer due their being gay.
I think that the media have blown this topic well out of proportion.
Here's a new word - HETERO-PHOBIA!
John Pinters, Radcliffe (10/11/2003 at 17:30)
Rev. Dr. John Wilson B.Min. MA PhD, Tyldesley (10/11/2003 at 18:04)
Rev J Wilson
Tyldesley Top Chapel
Tyldesley
ovind benest, Kristiansand (10/11/2003 at 19:38)
The two articles shatter the myth that sexual orientation is something unchangeable.
JM BUCKLEY, OLDHAM (10/11/2003 at 19:44)
It is absolutely typical of the state of our once great country that the police are to
" examine a complaint " against a man who has exercised his right of free speech to express his personal view. Why aren't the police doing the same to the cleric in London who has been exhorting anti -British feeling for some months now? No! He is afforded protection to preach his extremist and racist views and who pays for this protection? The taxpayer! It is time the Law stopped being such an ass and for the people who are offende by the Bishop's views to grow a thicker skin. Let the police get on with the task of protecting the law-abiding majority of ordinary folk and stop pandering to the whoms of the minority - of whatever conviction!
Jan, Colorado, USA (10/11/2003 at 19:53)
Piya, Manchester (10/11/2003 at 20:47)
David Dodds, Los Angeles, California (10/11/2003 at 21:57)
And Julie Smith shouldn't be intimidated by the "Gay Community," you're a heterosexual female, and a mother to-boot. You'll be just fine. And you really shouldn't take for gospel all that you see on American cable. And finally, "heterophobia" is not a new word, by the way...
Annie, Chorlton (10/11/2003 at 22:39)
Feeling "oppressed" is commonly known as bigotry, I'm afraid.
The gay community bites back these days, because they have, for many many years, had to take to most appalling violence, ignorance and fear.
It is an established fact that sexuality (NOT gender-identity... that is an entirely different subject... I suggest some research!), is programmed in the womb. You can no more turn someone gay than you can turn some FROM being gay. You can certainly instill a complete denial of their sexuality. Some, I'm sure live their lives, feeling that the daily pressure of denial is worthwhile, given social pressures.
The notion that this is a permanant solution is utter rubbish. Ask any doctor of repute (preferably under the age of 50, since those seem to have a greater understanding of the subject).
Please do not give this ignorant cleric's comments any value. They are born of ignorance, prejudice and a misguided patriarchal responsibility, and have NO basis in fact.
Oliver Warren, Manchester (10/11/2003 at 23:16)
The Bishop's attitude reflects out of date hysteric reactions to any sexuality that isn't straight down the line.
If activists were not to react to such outrageous claims, then they would pas unchallenged in the public view, and may actually be accepted by people such as Ms. Smith.
To then, turn it around and brand it 'heterophobia' is frankly exactly the kind of reaction that demonstrates that more education of people like Ms Smith is utterly necessary.
Steve, Bolton (10/11/2003 at 23:17)
David Hey, Manchester (10/11/2003 at 23:58)
Ray, Stockport (11/11/2003 at 10:00)
Oliver Warren, Manchester (11/11/2003 at 11:12)
I'd suggest that people start looking at the society we live in and how it needs to adapt to make people to feel comfortable with their totally unharmful desires.
And to the Rev Dr. John Wilson also speaking below, there are other creatures on the planet who have homosexual relations, one in particular being a pair of swans that was well publicised a few years ago. But were there not, there are also no other creatures who build moments to and worship their 'god', so surely building churches and praying is as 'unnatural' as homosexuality.
Dr Thaddeus Irvine, Londonderry, N Ireland (11/11/2003 at 11:26)
EW, Czechia (11/11/2003 at 11:33)
Sadly, independent research on this theme is impossible these days, because gay lobby starts hysterically yelling whenever the subject is mentioned (see this case) and, of course, groups with religious backgrounds are too in favor of "changeable lifestyle" to be fully trustworthy
. :-((
Dr Thaddeus Irvine, Londonderry, N Ireland (11/11/2003 at 11:42)
Dr Thaddeus Irvine, Londonderry, N Ireland (11/11/2003 at 11:52)
"Dr Forster's prejudices will not be solved by a visit to the doctor, nor will lesbian and gay people go away and get 'cured' to help him live with them"
Richard Kirker, Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement
He never spoke a truer word! It is only through the power of Jesus that anything can be achieved - which kind of negates Mr Kirker's movement!?
Dr Gary Sweeten, Cincinnati, USA (30/11/2003 at 14:16)
Hate means that we want to harm the group but hope means we want good for a group. I want nothing but good for gays. Joy, happiness and good times so hope for change is not hate.
Andy, Wythenshawe (01/12/2003 at 23:44)
Their ignorance is unbelievable, G.Sweeten is comparing someones sexuality with an illness, didn't a certain german/austrian with a 'strange' moustache think the same way.
Just to enlighten our irish , ermmm doctor? , there is evidence that links criminal behaviour to dysfunctional parental upbringing, and there is also evidence that proves homosexuality is genetically formed, and to an extent affected by very early social events in a childs life.
Lets face it, these two individuals are biggots, and should be treated with the distain they deserve.
Dr Thaddeus Irvine, Londonderry (UK) (22/01/2006 at 20:27)
For 'Andy's' benefit, just a few corrections:
1) Londonderry is part of the UK - Britain, not Ireland!
2)Before a persona credentials are criticized, it's better to establish exactly what that person is claiming. Does 'Andy' visit his GP and ask if his GP's credentials are from 'DOCTORS R US'? I'll wager not. But, I guess ad hominem attacks (that's personal attacks, 'Andy') are the reserve and privilege of the ill-informed.
3) It's in very poor taste to compare another contributor to nazis.
4)Also, it wasn't that long ago when Homosexuality was labelled - officially - as a psychosexual disorder, by the establishment.
5) It's interesting that 'Andy' claims that there is substantiated evidence that "links criminal behaviour to dysfunctional parental upbringing, and there is also evidence that proves homosexuality is genetically formed, and to an extent affected by very early social events in a childs life." Does 'Andy' make reference to it via hyperlink and offer to debate it?
6) Rather that discuss htis, which is the point of this column, he descends yet again to puerile name-calling. By the way, 'Andy' the word is bigot (only one 'g'). Also, 'Andy' the word is 'disdain' and has a 'd' not a 't'.
In conclusion, our hero 'Andy' appears to have a n extremely limited association with of knowledge of - Geography, politics, English or Genetic Research.
I guess those who oppose Homosexuality (not the person) shouldn't feel too threatened by 'Andy' and those of his ilk.
I've left my e-mail for those who felt inclined to discuss the issue rather than just wage war. That includes you, too, 'Andy'.