Fr. Chaplin's comments are backed by research, widely accepted by the homosexual community, showing that homosexuals suffer from higher than average rates, not only of sexually transmitted diseases, but of psychological disorders, drug addiction and suicide. Whereas those who are opposed to homosexuality assert that such stats demonstrate the inherently destructive nature of the homosexual lifestyle, homosexuals counter that the real cause of such statistics is that homosexuals are oppressed and therefore become depressed and abuse drugs, etc.

"The Church lovingly accepts everyone, including those who have passion for people of the same sex. But just because she loves them, she says unisexual love is a sin. A destructive sin," said Fr. Chaplin.

Thus far the homosexual movement has refused to accept the distinction being made by Fr. Chaplin, between the person suffering from homosexual temptations and homosexual activity itself, the latter which the Church has always condemned as immoral. The pro-homosexual news source, Pinknews.com, ran a story about Fr. Chaplin's remarks with a headline that reflects the gay community's assertion that there is no distinction between the person and the act: "Homosexuality a destructive sin, claims 'caring' Russian Orthodox Church".

Fr. Chaplin said he is "neither a homophobe nor a lesbianophobe" but felt he had to warn of the dangers of homosexuality.

In May, Yuri Luzkhov, Moscow's mayor, banned Gay Pride marches. But on June 1, a group of 30 homosexual activists staged a short protest in front of Moscow City Hall without being arrested. Later four activists were arrested at a Moscow apartment, held overnight and charged with taking part in an unauthorised demonstration and failing to obey police orders.

Homosexual activists had applied for permission to hold five marches a day every day of May. These applications were rejected by Moscow municipal authorities who said they would "endanger public order and cause negative reaction of the majority of the population".

The homosexual movement maintains that the condition of homosexuality is merely one variant of a range of natural human sexual expressions, no more or less legitimate than heterosexuality. Well documented pressure from homosexual activists in this vein resulted in the American Psychological Association removing homosexuality from its list of psychological disorders in 1973.

At the same time those who have left the lifestyle and their supporters are increasingly marginalized. In May this year, an ABC News report showed that people who have rejected the gay lifestyle often remain silent about their past life due to persecution from homosexual activists. Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays (PFOX) testify to having observed wide-scale persecution of ex-gays from those supportive of homosexuality.

"Many ex-gays are afraid to come out of the closet because of the harassment they will receive - their names, phone numbers and personal information posted on gay websites, attacked at ex-gay exhibit booths, press releases issued against them, etc," stated PFOX.

Even governments are engaging in what some are calling a "witch hunt" against Christians who express their opposition to the homosexual activist assertions. Iris Robinson, a Northern Irish MP and wife of the First Minister, is currently standing firm against calls for her resignation after she told BBC Radio Ulster that homosexuals could defeat their temptations and live normal lives. Robinson is the chairman of the Assembly health committee.

"I think at the moment there is a witch hunt to kerb or actually stop or prevent Christians speaking out and I make no apology for what I said because it's the word of God," said Robinson today.

Mrs. Robinson repeated that she condemns the "sin" of homosexuality but not the sinner.

"Just as a murderer can be redeemed by the blood of Christ so can a homosexual."

Northern Irish police are investigating whether Mrs. Robinson has committed any offence under the UK's incitement to hatred law after a string of complaints were made against the interview in which she condemned active homosexuality as immoral and suggested that homosexuals can change.

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