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Respect another’s choice,
says pastor A Peterborough pastor says he could work alongside with the gay community in a joint community cause, but says the idea of same-sex marriage runs contrary to the teachings of the Christian church. Associate Pastor Jamie Cox of the Christian Victory Church in Peterborough says he would struggle with calling same-sex marriages a marriage at all. “But if the state wanted to put a legal union together, that’s up to them." “As for a Christian Church advocating same-sex marriage, it’s inappropriate.” When asked if he thought the rights of anyone else in society were diminished by gay or lesbian marriages, the pastor says “no, I don’t think so.” “If people were to tell us that we had to marry same-sex couples, than that violates our rights. In the same way, we respect other people’s rights to choose, even if we don’t agree with their choices. It’s our responsibility to show people respect and compassion, whatever their choices,” says Pastor Jamie. When asked if there was any common ground in the debate about same-sex marriages, Pastor Jamie says the two views are polar in nature and therefore not very easily reconcilable. “But the Christian church is supposed to stretch out its hand and help others,” he says. “We would extend a hand of compassion” to anyone, says the pastor, but we believe “in the integrity of family.” Family, he says, means that starts with a man and a woman. Pastor Jamie has recently settled in Canada from England, where he was the deputy headmaster of a boy’s school. He has been in his position as associate pastor since Aug 1. According to their website, the local church currently works with the local food bank, Peterborough Pregnancy Crisis Centre and reaching out to “hardcore bikers with the love of God” among others. The church has various affiliations, including the Association of Faith Churches and Ministries, an American-based association. |
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