And it goes on!

Hard on the heels of Monday's news, as posted below, comes intimation that Peter and Hazelmary Bull, owners of the Chymorvah Private Hotel near Penzance, have been found guilty of having acted illegally by denying Martyn Hall and his civil partner Steven Preddy a double-bedded room at the hotel.

After the hearing Mrs Bull, 66, whose husband is in hospital undergoing a triple heart bypass operation, said: “The same laws used against us have been used to shut down faith-based adoption agencies.

“Much is said about ‘equality and diversity’ but it seems some people are more equal than ­others.

“We are trying to live and work in accordance with our Christian faith. As a result we have been sued and fined £3,600.

“We don’t expect everyone to agree with our beliefs, but we want them to live in accordance with our values under our own roof.”

While totally opposed to this judgement in principle, I am also angry that while the Bulls had to pay all of their own costs (supported by a Christian organisation that, itself, depends on donations), the homosexuals were supported by a government-funded agency - in other words, as a taxpayer, I was obliged to support their case!

I also seem to recall reports, during the trial, that evidence was introduced that this pair had booked, by telephone, as "Mr & Mrs", and that their true identities were only revealed when they arrived. If this is correct, surely this case should go to appeal as it would appear that there was a clear element of entrapment!

Alan Craig, leader of the Christian Peoples' Alliance, called on MPs to “... come out of the closet and speak up for the Penzance Martyrs”.  He said: “This legal ruling underlines that when there’s a clash of rights, sexual individualism trumps the rights of religious expression." and went on to ask the pertinent question: "Will the gay lobby now try to spin the same trick in a Muslim-owned hotel?"

I have stated before, and state again, that while many of us have a deep concern for those disciples of Jesus who are beng persecuted - often to death (see post above) - in some 50 countries around the world; and while we are grateful for the measure of freedom that we continue to enjoy in this country; it is an undeniable fact that the Christian faith is being increasingly mocked, macerated, and marginalised even here.

Of course, I would also contend that the Church itself must shoulder a large portion of the responsibiity for this sad state of affairs.  For decades, the leaders of the various denominations (the Church of Rome, I have to admit, has often been the honourable exception!) have stood silently by while the secular humanists, with their strident calls for 'equality', have steadily eroded the very bedrock of the nation - the Biblical principles on which it was founded.

I am grateful, however, that I serve the Creator God Who, from His vantage point of eternity, sees all of time simultaneously.  Nothing ever surprises Him, and He is still in control.  That day is nearer now than it has ever been when "... at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil 2:10-11; RSV).

"'Surely I am coming soon.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!" The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints." (Rev 22:20-21; RSV).