Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 15:15
The Evangelical Alliance of Malta has expressed regret at any unintentional offense caused to the Malta Gay Rights Movement through the public sharing of three members in the River of Love community, "who were convicted by the Word of God and by the Holy Spirit to turn away from a homosexual lifestyle".
However, it said it did not see any cause for a demonstration by gay rights activists in this matter. MGRM has announced plans for a peaceful demonstration in Zebbug tomorrow during a meeting by an evangelical community.
In a statement, the alliance (of 14 Evangelical churches in Malta) said it agreed with freedom of expression as long as that freedom did not infringe on the rights and freedoms of others.
"Therefore, we do not oppose a peaceful demonstration. Yet it seems that this demonstration is in itself attacking the freedom of expression of others and is therefore non-essential."
The alliance said that the converted individuals had the right to express their joy at how they were changed by an encounter with the love of Christ in any way they felt appropriate as long as this did not infringe on the rights and freedoms of others.
"They have shared their testimony within the River of Love Community and this event has stirred up hatred against them.
"False claims against the pastor of that community and his wife also appeared on the media.
"We consider this is an unjust misrepresentation of facts and infringes on the freedom of speech of the individuals concerned. Some of the individuals who came out of a homosexual lifestyle also shared their experience on a local television station.
"There was no expression of hatred towards any group of people," it said.
The alliance said it did not see any cause for a demonstration by gay rights activists since there was no breach of their rights by the public proclamation of a few individuals who made a personal choice to change their lifestyles without any outside coercion.
"Rather it seems to us that these activists who are participating in the demonstration are trying to put pressure and drown out the rights and freedom of expression of others," it said.
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