The Destiny Church protests are a reminder of the darker days of history, says Associate Justice Minister David Benson-Pope. Speaking out against fear, hatred and intolerance in society, he gave special attention to the Destiny Church, who will lead a hate march to Parliament next week against gay marriage. "That the Destiny protests - bussing schoolchildren dressed in black shirts to rallies where they are clearly told it is all right to hate - came in the same week as Jewish headstones were smashed in Wellington was a coincidence of timing," he said. "It does, however, remind us of some of the darker days of history. This intolerance is pretty scary. More so because it is being taught by a church." Benson-Pope denies accusations of stifling opinions surrounding the Civil Union and Relationships Bills, which he is responsible for shepherding through Parliament. "I am not asserting for a moment that people must agree with this legislation. From the outset I welcomed an open and informed debate. However, I am concerned how some people are expressing their views and the fear, hatred and intolerance that lie at their heart." Benson-Pope also claims to have evidence linking the Maxim Institute to fundamentalist groups in the United States.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Tuesday, 17th August 2004 - 12:00pm