‘Gays’ Possessed By The Devil—opponent (Press, 10 August 1985)
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Summary: ‘Gays’ Possessed By The Devil—opponent (Press, 10 August 1985)
The Rev. Louis Sheldon, a prominent anti-gay rights activist from California, has been touring New Zealand to oppose the proposed Homosexual Law Reform Bill. Sheldon, who has a Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and served for 20 years as a Presbyterian minister, believes homosexuality extends beyond human rights issues, framing it as a matter of evil and death. He claims that homosexual acts are "depraved" and potentially spread A.I.D.S. (acquired immune deficiency syndrome), attributing these behaviours to demon possession. Despite acknowledging that many dismiss his concept of demons as irrational, Sheldon fervently defends his views, insisting that true Christian values revolve around life, family, and redemption. He characterises homosexuality as self-destructive and adulterous, suggesting that it leads to death through the spread of A.I.D.S. He controversially equates the impact of A.I.D.S. on the homosexual community to a "medical holocaust" that could be worse than the Holocaust experienced by Jews. Brought to New Zealand by the Coalition of Concerned Christians, Sheldon is a seasoned campaigner against what he perceives as the decline of traditional moral values. His opposition to similar legislation in California dates back 11 years when he led efforts to defeat the Adult Consenting Bill. Despite its passage in 1975 by a narrow margin, he has worked tirelessly for its repeal, claiming that the emergence of the A.I.D.S. crisis is a direct result of the acceptance of homosexuality. Sheldon cites statistics indicating that five per cent of the American population identifies as homosexual, with a disproportionate number of A.I.D.S. victims hailing from California. He warns that if New Zealand were to pass the Homosexual Law Reform Bill, the country could face a similar predicament, suggesting that the "sleeping giant" of A.I.D.S. could lead to a societal collapse akin to what he perceives has happened in California due to the influence of the gay rights movement. Sheldon believes that New Zealand must prevent this trajectory and holds a public meeting at Majestic House on Manchester Street to further articulate his views.
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