Ds. Wielie Elhorst, chairman of the HTL (National KoördinatiePunt homosexuality and church groups) had Tuesday challenged the churches in the Netherlands during a forum in the cathedral to the position of homosexuals firmer to raise during the international peace conference in Kingston, Jamaica. The Dutch churches signed a Declaration against Violence against homosexuals: "Our aim is committed to including in our international church contacts with representatives of other religions who are homophobic, have gay hostility, gay hatred and have violence to fight against homosexuals. "
The Old Catholic Church was represented by the Bishop of Haarlem, Mgr. Dick Schoon.
Verhoeff came back to this in Kingston. With Geesje Werkman Church in Action, he visited the workshop of the European Forum of LGTB (Lesbian Gay, Bisexual and Transger groups). Geesje Werkman says, that there are about fifty people attended the workshop from all over the world. The room - which was quite small - was packed.
Geesje Werkman spoke of the inspiring meeting. "The power was palpable. There were portraits of people who have been tortured, or murdered because of their sexuality and people were humiliated and were placed in isolation. One prominent example is the murder of David Kato in Uganda."
Workman: "It's sad to see how churches often have dirty hands in this area. The LGTB showed a part of the work, including training, Bible study, empowerment and coaching. This work is weather or other local groups, regional development, and contributes to the emancipation of homosexuals in many places in Europe.
Workman: "We talked in groups about how to create safe places for people with a different orientation in the church. The results were, although with some difference in one direction, namely: The church is a place where Christians relate with fellow believers and with God and Jesus, but if churches create barriers to be there, then people will not hear the message. The churches has to go for inclusiveness, said the tenor of the group, including its theology must include people, not exclude, and this applies not only in terms of homosexuality, but in many areas.
Ds. Peter Verhoeff advised all present to their church to call for and end to violence against homosexuals and for the vast majority of the Dutch churches to mark the International Day Against homophobia (IDAHO) and put their signatures under a statement of that effect.
The organization took us back to a statement by Bishop Desmond Tutu: "Jesus was very serious when He said that God is our Father, and we all belong to one family ... Lesbian and gay, so called straight people - people of all origin and colors-all belong to this family, and all are loved and precious. "
Finally, it was reported that the work of the Forum among others, is possible thanks to a sizeable contribution to the Church in Action.
Below is the verbatim text of the Religious Declaration against Violence against homosexuals
Utrecht, May 17, 2011
In our country, violence occurs regularly - subtle and less subtle - to gays and lesbians. They are beaten, harassed, bullied or abused, and may live to see their cars being vandalized or defaced their home is. In many places they do not dare to come out that they are homosexual.
To mark the International Day Against homophobia (IDAHO) , we declare as representatives of the Dutch churches following:
We do not think in all respects to homosexuality, but we are one in the belief that man is created in the image of God and precious in his eyes. Therefore, people treat each other with dignity - respectful, peaceful and loving - and violence against homosexuals, in whatever form, out of the question.
From violating human rights, we say now: that is wrong. Today we highlight in particular with the violation of human rights concerns of homosexuals. This includes all forms of physical, psychological and verbal violence against homosexuals and inciting such violence. Anyone who uses violence against the person as image bearer of God, ignores the call of Christ to God and to love our neighbor. In our faith communities, the human dignity of homosexuals sometimes violated by unloving and without understanding them to go.
We want our work to ensure in every possible way the dignity of all people to defend. We call upon believers in our churches not to give power to any form of violence against homosexuals. Churches want the example of Christ, for meeting space. They want a safe place for everyone, including homosexuals.
We call on everyone to their own place in society to provide an environment where gays feel safe and so are contributing to a secure environment in our society.
We would always endeavor to church in our international contacts and our contacts with representatives of other religions homophobia, gay hostility, hatred and violence against homosexuals gay combat.
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