Reverend Kelso's Letters to the Press and GovernmentReverend Kelso makes a point of writing to both local and national press and our government on issues within our society that have an effect on our faith. This page contains letters written during 2007. LETTERS 2007Hypocrisy and IncompetenceAt Last!Jehovah's SacrificeAway with the Manger!Anniversary of the Abortion ActEU calls for ban on teaching of Creationism in schoolsGay Rights activists call for amendment to Criminal Justice and Immigration BillNice work if you can get itWake Up VotersLonging for a proper governmentJudgement?Moral ChaosWake up callBlair's funding of ImamsScientologyNo DemocracyBishops' PalacesContempt for MarriageSexual Orientation Regulations Bill - Letter to local paper + repsonsesSexual Orientation Regulations Bill (Goods and Services)
The hypocrisy and incompetence of this government is staggering! The courageous widow of a man kicked to death by thugs in Warrington spoke of the growing violence on our streets and people's despair at what is happening.
Yet our Home Secretary says there is no breakdown in society only tragic events and then admits she wouldn't want to walk on the streets of London at night. Most people in her constituency don't want to walk alone at night but some have to.Then we have Labour's deputy leader stating that we all need to learn the lessons of the terrible crime of Garry Newlove's death. How long will this take?
What hypocrisy! Every cause of Britain's youth violence is the result of this government's failure-24 hour drinking, downgrading of cannabis, lack of police on our streets, an obsession with the human rights of criminals over the rights of victims, and an undermining of the family and family values.
Only when enough ministers and MP's are mugged or kicked to death will we really see any radical legislation.
Rev Andy Kelso
Vicar. Christ Church, Redditch.
At last a Bishop in the Church of England is willing to speak out! Dr Nazir-Ali voices what many know to be true that Islamic extremists are taking advantage of our politically correct government's policy on muticulturalism. There ARE no-go areas in England for non-Muslims and militant Muslims will not be satisfied until their flag flies over Downing Street and public calls for prayer are broadcast from every mosque in every town and city in the land.By the way, the Islamic call to prayer is an extolling of Islam, Allah and Muhammad above all else which is hardly on a par with the ringing of church bells! To say such things is not racism or whipping up hatred against Muslims, which is the constant response from the Muslim Council of Britain, but pure fact. Militant Islam has a strategy for world domination and we are a soft touch. Unless more leaders like Dr Nazir-Ali speak out and the government acts we will find our democracy and our heritage taken over. Rev Andy Kelso
Vicar. Christ Church, Redditch.
The tragic story of Emma Gough, a Jehovah's Witness, who refused a lifesaving blood transfusion after the birth of her twins only highlights the dangers in such beliefs. Their belief in the Bible as the Word of God is based on their own version of it, the New World Translation. The passages they refer to preventing them from receiving blood transfusions have no basis in reality. They are actually about not eating meat with blood in it and not drinking blood which was a pagan custom.
Jesus Christ gave His life-blood to pay the price for our sin, so that we do not have to be at the mercy of beliefs which can have such devastating consequences.
Rev Andy Kelso Vicar. Christ Church, Redditch
So the government's think-tank has decided that Christmas should be downgraded to help race relations.That presumably means that any future Nativity scene shold also include Father Christmas, Buddha, Mohammed, various Hindu gods and a smiling Gordon Brown. It's a good job that the very first Christmas was a downgrade for Jesus, from the heights of Heaven to this increasingly ludicrous world!
Rev Andy Kelso Vicar. Christ Church, Redditch
This weekend marks the 40th Anniversary of the Abortion Act and there will be a mass rally outside Parliament seeking to urge the Government to carry out a full review of the current law. Since the 1967 Act 6.7 million abortions have taken place and nearly 500 more are happening every day.The Archbishop of Canterbury suggests that we risk losing sight of the sanctity of life. The above figures do more than suggest this. They are a damning indictment of a society that has no moral or spiritual compass. A foetus is a life from the moment of conception, unique and special. In a few weeks we shall be remembering the millions who have lost their lives in war. What about the millions who were never given the chance of life at all ?
Rev Andy Kelso Vicar. Christ Church, Redditch
So Europe's Parliamentary Assembly has finally proclaimed itself God and called for the ban of teaching Creationism in schools. It has decided that the theory of evolution is based on facts even though it is still a theory. Following on from this the liberal-left BBC derided anyone who believed in Creationism on its Sunday morning programme wheeling in that fount of all knowledge Claire Short to attack a science teacher who dared to disagree. Well Ms. Short, learn some facts before you spout rubbish! The majority of the founders of modern science were Creationists. They realised that they were only thinking God's thoughts after Him.Science expresses the universe in five categories: Time, Space, Matter, Power and Motion. But in 1450BC Genesis 1:1-2 states:" In the beginning( Time), God created(Power), the heavens(Space), and the earth(Matter).And the Spirit of God was hovering(Motion) over the waters.Please tell me Ms.Short where did space for the universe come from? Where did the initial material come from? What sparked the explosion? You can't create something out of nothing so there can't have been a Big Bang! Please tell me Ms. Short why any animal would want to reproduce more of its kind since this would only make more mouths to feed and decrease the chances of survival? Charles Darwin acknowledged that his theory of evolution was wrong if no transitional life forms could be found. None have been found. Evolution is a pagan religion masquerading as science, which gives mankind the ability to dispose with God and accountability to Him. It's a belief-system for a godless society and that is exactly what we are. PS: You won't like this Ms. Short! The male needs the female to reproduce and vice-versa. So which came first O clever one? If each sex could reproduce without the other why and how would they have developed a reproductive system that requires both sexes to tango? Rev Andy Kelso Vicar. Christ Church, Redditch
Letter to Rt. Hon. Jacqui Smith M.P. I am writing to you to urge you to oppose the Gay Rights activists call for an amendment to the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill. Under this amendment if passed I could get prosecuted and imprisoned for teaching that the practice of homosexuality is sinful. This is orthodox Christian teaching along with teaching that casual sex is sinful as well as sex outside of marriage. This has been taught for centuries and until forty years ago underpinned our morality. Such teaching has got nothing to do with inciting hatred. Christians are called to love people and at the same time to speak what they believe to be the truth. Christians would never support violent or intimidating behaviour against anyone and such behavior is rightly a criminal offence already. But I have a duty to teach God's Word as part of my calling to a cure of souls. This means that all people need to know that they are sinners before a holy God and if they are to know His love and forgiveness they need to repent and turn to Christ. Therefore I would be failing my oath as a priest before God and the Queen if I did not clearly state what the Bible says is sinful which includes homosexual practice. Rev Andy Kelso Channel Four's excellent documentary on the abuse of power in parliament made me think we all ought to vote for "None of these" when it comes to a General Election. It is quite staggering that so many of these MP's who are supposed to be serving the electorate are in fact self-serving hypocrites. They are using sky high expenses to pay off mortgages on second homes and avoid capital gains tax by fiddling the system. Any attempt to look into these outrages is met with rebuff as parliament has decided that it is outside the law that applies to the rest of us. On top of all this they have voted themselves gold-plated pensions and keep voting to top these up paid for by hard-working taxpayers, the very ones that Gordon Brown keeps squeezing.
So Gordon Brown's promise to clean up parliament is a brazen lie as he and his henchmen know all about this and are involved in keeping the status quo. It makes me sick therefore to hear his latest promises given with a beatific "I'm the son of a clergyman" smile.We have lost our way completely when we cannot trust our leaders.
We need leaders of integrity and truth who will call this nation back to honouring God and His commandments.In the Old Testament King Josiah tore his robes in repentance when the book of God's Law was found and read to him. He realised how far they had fallen morally and spiritually as a nation and he called the nation back to God and His Word.
Where are the leaders who will do this?
Rev Andy Kelso
Vicar. Christ Church,Redditch.
How is it possible that so many people think Gordon Brown is rosy? Look at the facts! Educational standards are falling, the economy isn't as strong as advertised, the health service is failing thousands of people and law and order is in freefall. And then there is immigration! Over the last ten years this government has allowed more than a million new people from all over the world to settle here. Labour has lost control of our borders and we have a fractured society with increased strain on our NHS, our schools and our police.Of the three million new homes promised by Gordon Brown, which will eat away into what is left of our countryside, one million will have to go to immigrants.This decision was thrust on us without any consultation. Why?
Well here's a thought! In the Mori's survey into the ethnic minority's attitude to voting at the 2005 election 58% voted Labour and 10% Conservative. Along with those on benefits who are workshy, and the criminally-minded who like a spell occasionally in our holiday camp open prisons, this means that Labour will have enough cast-iron votes to ruin this country forever.
Rev Andy Kelso
Vicar. Christ Church.Redditch.
Most law-abiding, tax-paying citizens of this once great country are longing for a proper government. Labour have had ten years and we are in crisis. We are run by a bunch of liberal-minded, politically-correct ostriches! This lot have so much to answer for and to add to the list it's the increase in blood pressure amonst thousands of us. We pay our taxes so that police can patrol our streets and reduce crime. Wrong! They're tied up with red tape, and seminars on multi-cultural awareness and prejudice. We pay our taxes so that criminals serve proper sentences for their crimes and we all feel safer. Wrong! The government has refused to build more prisons so we have violent offenders released early. Not only so but these same offenders can buy their own cars to drive themselves to and from open prisons to paid jobs.They don't pay for their bed and board because we suckers the taxpayers do that. On top of all this we find out that only one in a hundred benefit cheats ends up in prison and yet there are thousands of them who are stealing from, guess who? The poor old taxpayer!
So law-abiding, tax-paying citizens listen! Vote this lot out at the earliest opportunity and send your receipts for blood pressure tablets to Gordon Brown. The alternative is to give up work, go on benefits, and commit violent crime where you'll have a short spell in an open prison with all expenses paid. Mmm....sounds good!
Rev Andy Kelso
Vicar. Christ Church,Redditch.
Over three months of heavy rain and devastating floods when it should have been summer begs a question. Is the summer washout a judgement? I realise such a question brings instant sneers from some people but allow me to make a point. This country used to be a Christian country. Even if people only paid lip service to God they abided by the Ten Commandments. During the Second World War God's protection was over this land. The heroism of our people and a bulldog Prime Minister were linked to thousands of those who cried out to God. The results were seen in the miracle of Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain, the German Luftwaffe returning for no apparent reason and Hitler's decision not to cross the Channel. Prayer and action going hand in hand.
But after the war we slowly and surely turned our backs on God and we are suffering the consequences. A few years ago the idols Gog and Magog were paraded through the streets of London and declared to be gods of London. Last year the British Museum floated Hindu idols down the Thames to supposedly purify it. We embrace everybody's view except the Bible believing Christian view. The result has led to the breakdown of marriage and family life, increased crime, drugs and immorality, lawlessness and rebellion.God-defying liberalism and political correctness rules so that we have opened our doors to terrorism and are about to be swallowed up into Europe.On top of all this we have Church leaders who are mainly silent.God's judgement through our weather? More than likely. Rev Andy Kelso
Vicar. Christ Church, Redditch.
What hypocrisy! On the one hand the media and society cries out for the Church to take a lead on moral issues and then when it does it gets penalised and derided. The ruling against the Bishop of Hereford for turning down a gay man for a youth worker's post underlines this. The Bishop was complying with the teachings of the Church on sexual issues.He was not discriminating against gay people but making it clear that according to the Bible sex outside of marriage is wrong, and therefore a person in any position of leadership in the Church ought to be setting a standard in keeping with this morality. This is not as gay lobby groups state " 19th century prejudice" but the clear teaching of Scripture which is timeless and which is given to us for our good. It is society's insistence that people can live entirely as they like that has lead to our moral chaos.
Rev Andy Kelso
Vicar. Christ Church, Redditch.
01527 529098
The brutal Hamas takeover of the Gaza strip in mid-June which included murders of wounded Fatah soldiers in their hospital beds in full view of patients and staff shows that Hamas fully ascribes to the radical Islamist doctrine of Muhammad's "Hijra". This is a staged programme That seeks to establish control under Sharia law.
Firstly you focus on peaceful mission work recruiting people to your cause. Then you build up armed forces and engage in deception such as the supposed acceptance of the democratic process in order to strengthen your position. Finally you use violence to take over the state and impose Sharia law.This is what Hamas has done and this is what Hizbullah are doing in Lebanon.
In this country Islam has moved into the second stage in order to gain positions of power.Appeasement and dialogue are seen as signs of weakness. When will we wake up before it is too late? This is not scaremongering. This is fact. Look at the world situation, read the Koran and the Hadiths. Wake up democratic Britain and the West !
Rev Andy Kelso
Vicar. Christ Church, Redditch.
To: The Daily Mail The government's announcement that Islamic studies are " strategically important" to Britain's national interests and will therefore receive £1million of funding is an appalling error of judgement. Such misunderstanding of the true nature of Islam is further underlined by Tony Blair's statement that" the voices of extremism are no more representative of Islam than the use, in times gone by, of torture to force conversion to Christianity represents the true teaching of Christ."
The use of torture by the Church was nothing to do with conversion to Christianity but sought to force people to become Catholics or Protestants. Sadly the voice of extremism IS the true voice of Islam. 1 out of every 55 verses in the Koran is a war verse intended to arouse Muslims to compel the conversion of non-Muslims to Islam, by violence if necessary.The Koran calls for the death of Christians and Jews and is a guidebook for dictatorial domination.
If Islam is such a peaceful religion at heart as Tony Blair insists then why is there no democracy in any country ruled by Islam? Strange that isn't it!
Rev Andy Kelso
Vicar. Christ Church, Redditch.
To: The Daily Mail Having watched the Panorama programme on the Church of Scientology and the furore over the BBC's presenter John Sweeney losing his temper, I was amazed that he didn't lose it far earlier! Their spokesman, Tommy Davis, underlined why Scientology is so dangerous and why it is most definitely a cult. If you dare to criticise them, or ask probing questions then you are intimidated, harassed, and come under their hate campaign.
When children who have joined Scientology cut themselves off from their parents, even when they are dying, when people manage to leave this organisation and are then treated as lepers and criminals, and when those who seek to find out the truth about them are hounded, degraded, and in fear for their lives, then this is proof that Scientology is most definitely evil and a cult.
Well done John Sweeney!
Rev Andy Kelso
Christ Church. Redditch, Worcs.
01527 529098
To: The Daily Mail The government's decision to rush through the Sexual Orientation Regulations without proper debate is a disgrace.They are determined to appease the Gay lobby and to make criminals out of those who have serious concerns.
At a time when we remember people like William Wilberforce whose Christian faith stirred him to action, we are now told that our Christian convictions must be kept private.
Under this proposed law I could be fined for teaching that sex is only for marriage between a man and a woman. This is what the Bible says and I believe it and will continue to teach it.
Basically this government has put God and the Bible on trial and I for one will not back down.
Rev Andy Kelso
Vicar. Christ Church, Redditch.
To: The Daily Mail As a Church of England vicar I am appalled to see that the Church Commissioners are to spend an extra £9 million on bishops' costs this year, mainly on their housing. This money will be taken from funds for the mission of the Church which is an utter disgrace. If Jesus had lived in a palace then there might be justification for bishops' to live in them but Jesus had no home. People would take the Church far more seriously if these palaces were sold and the money used wisely. At a time when our society desperately needed to hear a clear moral statement on the Sexual Orientation issue our bishops are more interested in protecting their palaces. I apologize to churchgoers and non-churchgoers alike for this outrage. Rev Andy Kelso
Vicar. Christ Church, Redditch.
To: The Daily Mail The role of Deputy Prime Minister is obviously for those with no morals and no common sense. Alan Johnson, who may step into John Prescott's post, has described tax breaks for marriage as "pernicious" which means evil. His contempt for marriage flies in the face of facts. Families are the bedrock of society and although many single parents do a great job statistics prove that a child is better off with a father and a mother. Fatherless children are much more likely to turn to drugs and crime which we are witnessing today.
He obviously needs help from his own fatherless background from where his resentment at marriage stems from. Give us poor marrieds a break Mr Johnson or society will collapse!
Rev Andy Kelso
Vicar. Christ Church, Redditch.
To The Redditch Standard This government wants everybody to conform to its liberal, politically correct agenda and to hound those who disagree. The Sexual Orientation Regulations bend over backwards to appease gay people and the result will be discrimination against Christians. The word "harassment" is too broadly drafted and would allow spurious complaints from people who object to the Christian faith. The proposed legislation threatens to override the consciences and beliefs of Christians and is therefore contrary to Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Churches must be free to organise their own affairs without legal threats from homosexual harassment laws. The Gay lobby is extremely militant and will test this proposed law to the utmost with devastating consequences for our nation. God and the Bible will be on trial.
Under this proposed legislation I could be sued for refusing to bless a same-sex civil partnership, for teaching that sex is for marriage between a man and a woman, and a whole host of other issues. These regulations could form the legal apparatus to persecute Christians. I, for one, will not be cowed into silence.
Rev Andy Kelso
Vicar. Christ Church, Matchborough.
01527 529098
Response published 9th February Christians are not all rabidly anti-gay
Andy Kelso might like to take thought that not all Christians are rabidly anti-gay and that Christianity and homosexuality are not mutually exclusive.
Sexuality cannot be taught or promoted-else would there be no gay children born to heterosexual parents.
I can't imagine anyone would choose to be gay, considering the fear, anger and vilification still heaped on them by some sections of the community.
Sexuality is not a black and white issue, but includes many shades of grey.
As regards adoption, unfortunately there are heterosexual couples who adopt children and abuse them, just as there are heterosexual couples who abuse the children born to them.
Heterosexuality is no guarantee of decent behaviour.
What is of paramount importance is the individual relationship between the adopting couple- whatever their sexuality- and child.
Finally, whatever the fate of the Bible, I believe God is rather too big to be put on trial by man.
Val Gaize - Studley
As The Redditch Standard refused to publish Reverend Kelso's follow-up response he has written personally to the lady who replied to his original letter and asked the newspaper instead to publish a statement setting the record straight. They refused, and the statement and following responses are published below.
Rev Kelso's statement sent to The Redditch standard 19/2/2007 Since you did not print my response to Val Gaize's letter last week on the Sexual Orientation Regulations I would ask you to include in your paper this week the following statement:
Redditch Standard refuse to publish Rev Kelso's statement 19/2/2007 Dear Rev Kelso,
We always welcome your input into topical debates at The Standard, as they represent the committed Christian point of view, but I decided not print your response to Val Gaize's letter for the following reasons. You submitted a letter to The Standard which was printed, and Val Gaize's letter was in response to that. Your letters are always strongly worded shall we say, and I think it is true to say that the reply also contained some strong views. I am always unwilling to then print a further reply from the original correspondent where I feel that the letters page is being used as a sounding board for those who should just agree to disagree. I am sure that if I had published your follow-on letter, then Val Gaize may well have wanted to her her further say etc etc. Where then does it all stop? As a man with strong views on various subjects you must surely see that others have equally strong (if opposing) views and allow them to be aired.
I would prefer now to draw a line under this particular little spat, and therefore not to print your statement.
Yours sincerely,
Andrew Powell, editor Redditch Standard
Reverend Kelso's Reply to Andrew Powell 19/2/2007 There is a world of difference between expressing strong views and attacking someone personally. In all my years of writing to the papers I have not personally attacked someone. Many of your readers now believe that I am rabidly anti-gay which is a lie. I am deeply saddened that you feel that this is acceptable, and that describing me as " rabidly anti-gay" is only seen by you as a "little spat".
Rev Andy Kelso
Dear Jacqui, On behalf of so many Christians in Redditch I urge you to think again about the proposals for the Sexual Orientation Act. As it stands the word "harassment" is too broadly drafted and would allow spurious complaints from people who object to the Christian faith. The proposed legislation threatens to override the consciences of Christians and is therefore contrary to Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Churches must be free to organise their own affairs without legal threats from homosexual laws. The Gay lobby is extremely militant and will test this proposed law to the utmost with devastating consequences for our nation. Please think again. Rev Andy Kelso Mrs. Jacqui Smith
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