Destiny church is whipping up a lot of hate, says Prime Minister Helen Clark, and there is absolutely no possibility of a Labour coalition with the political church should it's political wing get into parliament at the general election later this year. GayNZ.com spoke to the Prime Minister at the Big Gay Out in Auckland only moments after protester Justin Pearce, an outspoken supporter of Destiny's anti-gay politics, tried to disrupt official proceedings by kneeling in front of the stage, shouting and waving homophobic placards. When asked if churches, who enjoy charitable status by default, should continue to enjoy tax breaks once they turn overtly political, the Prime Minister suggested that any organisations finding themselves in potential conflict with Inland Revenue requirements need to be careful. “People have to be very clear about what Inland Revenue Department rules are,” she said. “Don't ask me for a dissertation on them [Destiny], because I don't follow them. Suffice it to say that Destiny does whip up a lot of hate, which we don't like.” The Prime Minister added that she hoped National leader Don Brash would be equally as clear in his dismissal of political coalition possibilities with Destiny.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Monday, 14th February 2005 - 12:00pm