Michael Coren, English-born Canadian journalist and broadcaster, gave a fascinating interview this week in the National Post to Charles Lewis about his 14th book, Heresy: The Lies They Spread About Christianity. He makes some brief but pointed remarks about dialoguing with homosexuals.

"If someone calls me a homophobe because I believe marriage is between one man and one woman, then I would rejoice in that. But frankly, with gay friends, I try to avoid the subject. They know I am opposed to gay marriage and they also know I’m fond of them as people and would defend them against personal attack. But let me be clear, anyone who hates gay people is a moral criminal."

Coren feels that Catholics and evangelicals should be more determined in their efforts to counter the gay lobby which is constantly "telling us that our view on homosexuality is somehow wrong." Asked if he thought Catholic Church leaders were afraid of being labeled homophobic, he said, “They’re going to be called homophobic whatever they do. I think the Catholic Church has spent too much time worrying about the reaction it might get rather than reacting itself.”

Lewis put it to him that a gay person whom he considered a friend might still ask, how can you be my friend when you think what I do is “intrinsically disordered.” 

“First,” Coren responded,  “I would never use the same language as the Catholic Church. It sounds too clinical. A young gay woman once asked me if God loved her. I told her, ‘We all face challenges. You are loved as a person but you are more than your sexuality. We’re all sinners and we’re all struggling. I just can’t affirm homosexual behaviour.” 

It's good to hear some sound, tactful and charitable advice on a difficult topic. Kudos to Coren! 

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