Religion of Sunday, 24 July 2011

Source: GNA

Handle issue of homosexuality with caution-Pastor

Dormaa Ahenkro (B/A), July 24, GNA - The Reverend Felix John Yeboah, chairman of the Dormaa Ahenkro local council of churches has called for a cautious approach 93in our resolve to discourage the practice of homosexuality and lesbianism among our people".

He was speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on the council's stance on the on-going debate on the issue. Rev Yeboah, who is the Dormaa district pastor of the Assemblies of God Church, emphasized that the subject was complex and multi-dimensional and required a collective approach to resolve.

"This issue confronting the nation has moral, legal, religious as we= ll as societal dimensions and no lasting solution can be found without considering each of the factors", he stressed. Rev Yeboah stated that the debate would not take Ghana anywhere 93if we continue the argument with each interest group defending its side of the matter".

He noted that though all religions, including the African Traditional religion, frowned on same-sex conjugal relations, the religious bodies alon= e could not provide any meaningful solution in view of human rights and related factors. The pastor appealed to the legislature, traditional and religious authorities, schools and youth associations to brainstorm in determining which marriage would best suit the current generation for posterity to emulate. "The menace is a social issue with multiple effects on families, identifiable groups, schools and communities and should therefore not be tackled with a blame game, intimidating those adopting it or use of vulgar language in the media.