Bible’s teaching on sexual ethics ‘homophobic’, says LGBT member of General Synod

LGBT activist Jayne Ozanne has accused the Oxford Inter-Collegiate Christian Union (OICCU) of homophobia for affirming the Bible’s teaching on sexual morality.

Ozanne, a member of the Church of England’s General Synod, praised an article in the student newspaper The Oxford Student which criticised OICCU over its biblical position on sexual ethics.

The article also condemned several Oxford churches, recommended by OICCU to fellow students, for failing to be ‘LGBTQ+ affirming’.

‘Sinful’

One unnamed student complained that St Ebbe’s church “clearly intended to spread the message that engaging in non-heterosexual activity was a sin”.

Commenting on Twitter, Ozanne said: “I’m so glad @TheOxStu are calling out the homophobia they have experienced”.

She added: “we can’t allow this harmful practice of telling LGBT people who are in relationships that they are ‘sinful’ to continue”.

I’m so glad @TheOxStu are calling out the homophobia they have experienced- we can’t allow this harmful practice of telling LGBT people who are in relationships that they are ‘sinful’ to continue. It’s damaged & is damaging far too many lives – mine too! https://t.co/0QGwzAmR4U

— Jayne Ozanne (@JayneOzanne) November 7, 2020

In a statement, OICCU said: “OICCU welcomes all students from all churches or none to come and join in our meetings and activities. We are pleased to partner with ‘Love Oxford’ which constitutes a wide range of churches who have a high view of Bible teaching and who are supportive of the OICCU. But, we recognise that there are many other churches in Oxford and that students need to make their own choices.”

Biblical teaching

In response, The Christian Institute’s Deputy Director for Communications, Ciarán Kelly, said: “The Bible is clear that all sexual acts outside of heterosexual marriage are sinful.

“Churches and student groups that uphold these scriptural truths are to be commended”.

Earlier this year the Ozanne Trust, of which Jayne Ozanne is the founder and director, urged the Prime Minister to legislate to prevent trans people who regret changing sex from getting help to detransition.

Jayne Ozanne and former evangelical Steve Chalke also want the Government to take action against any prayer, private conversation and preaching which does not affirm homosexual or transgender lifestyles.