THE Bishop of Carlisle is embroiled in fresh controversy after comparing the government to a demonic seven-headed beast for imposing its morality on society.Rt Rev Graham Dow has criticised the government for “acting as if it is god” over social issues such as gay adoption, and called for Christian morals to be taken more seriously.
He hit out at gay equality laws which he said are a “moral agenda” which goes against “longstanding Christian morality”.
The Bishop spoke out at a fringe meeting of the Church of England’s General Synod during the launch of a book promoting Christian understanding of marriage and sexual relationships.
He clarified his position in a statement released yesterday.
Bishop Dow said: “While people are of course free to make choices, at the heart of the problem is the fact that our society is institutionalising these changes in marriage and sexual morality with legislation.
“In a meeting where almost all of those attending look to the Bible for moral teaching, I reminded those present of the difference attitude towards the Roman state between the Letter to the Romans and the Book of Revelation.
“By way of clarification I would want to say that the government has certainly been “God’s instrument for good” (Romans 13), for example in the promotion of the equality and in social inclusion, in its support for poorer nations and its emphasis on the environment.
“However in the last year or two it has been imposing its own moral agenda in a way that is contrary to longstanding Christian morality and the significant voice of Christian churches.”
The Bishop mentioned in particular the House of Lords debate on the Human Fertilisation and Embryo Bill and the protests from the Archbishop of York and several other Bishops against same sex parents adopting.
He added: “This government has also insisted that Catholic Adoption Agencies must place children with same sex couples, which the teaching of the Church does not allow them to do.
“The underlying point is that I and many others are critical of the government’s promotion of legislation about the structure of society and about lifestyles which has as its moral basis only that choice and complete licence are good.
“Many religious people and many others would feel that there are better alternative moral foundations.
“Further, when the government speaks and acts as if the only possible moral basis is that which it promotes, it is acting as if it is god. Hence the terms of my criticism of it.”
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