I have already given my opinion on the actual debate and its outcome in the article, entitled: “Gay conversion ban: Therapy is a ‘humiliating and harmful practice’ which I sent out by email yesterday.

However, in this audio report I would like to make some comments on the aftermath of the debate as reported in today’s press. 

In the ‘BelfastLive’ news site, there was an article with the headline: ‘Doug Beattie delivers powerful speech in gay conversion therapy debate’. Beattie is an Ulster Unionist member of the Stormont Assembly who is proving to be one of the most liberal-minded unionists. By ‘liberal’ I do not mean ‘enlightened’ but rather I mean that he is one who hold views ‘liberated’ from any reference to God’s Word and owing any allegiance to it.

‘Protestant’ he may claim to be but he is anything but. He is of that school of religion that can openly support the campaign mounted by the sodomite faction. Were I permitted to write the headline for the ‘BelfastLive’ report on his speech I would have written: ‘Doug Beattie delivers powerfully evil speech in gay conversion therapy debate’!

It is reported that on 12 August 2019, Beattie referred to himself as Irish on the Pat Kenny radio show, aired from Dublin. He said: “I’m Irish. I'm an Irishman, and I've said this all along... I'm also an Ulsterman. You know, I'm British, I'm a European. I'm all of these things and I'm multilayered... God Save the Queen represents me, as does The Sash My Father Wore, Ulster rugby. But so does the shamrock, so does Gaelic games. So does Guinness. So does St Patrick's Day. All of these things are part of my identity.” (Wikipedia)

Very obviously he is neither one thing nor the other! He can mix and mingle with unionists and republicans and appear to affiliate himself with both. 

One thing he is not - a humble believer in the Bible. That he made clear when he refused to accept an amendment to his motion in the Stormont debate, even when pressed to do so by Mr Jim Allister. The amendment would have safeguarded the freedom to preach that conversion from sin, which all men require if they are to get to heaven, as it is set forth in the Holy Scriptures. 

Doug Beattie claimed in a ‘Belfast Telegraph’ interview in March 26th, 2018, that he did not go to church but he believed in God. True belief in God is characterised by open and consistent obedience to the Word of God. Promoting the cause of the LGBT defiers of God, does not indicate true belief in God!

He may be the ‘pin-up’ boy of the pro-sodomite lobby today but a day is coming when he and they will realise just how wrong was that life-style which unitedly they presently strive to enforce upon Ulster! The day I am referring to is “The day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel,” Romans 2:16. 

On that day Beattie and his ilk will realise to their horror that all they hold dear and campaigned for is an offence to God and has earned His wrath!

Sad to report, five DUP members refused to vote against the motion. They were MLA s Foster, Cameron, Bradley, Weir and Dodds. Amongst that list are professing Christians. Just what puts a difference between their position and that of those who voted for the motion?Have they forgotten that the Saviour has said: "He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth,” Luke 11:22. In the light of this Scripture the above named DUP members are against the truth of God and the cause of Christ!

Another report upon which I wish to make a brief comment, appeared on the local BBC News site. The headlines ran: Londonderry: Family of man shot by PSNI make complaint. Part of the subsequent report read: “Solicitor Ciaran Sheils said the man's sisters want to know what justification there was for the use of ‘lethal force’. A police officer sustained knife wounds to his arm and head in the incident.” 

Such a ludicrous demand could only come from within the Republican community! The man shot was evidently bent on murdering the policeman he injured. Had he not been shot and wounded he doubtless would have continued to stab the officer, hoping to strike his heart!

With such a mind-set found amongst Republicans and Nationalists in Northern Ireland, it ought not to be difficult for all fair-minded outsiders to recognise how difficult it is to achieve any form of peace and normality in our Province!

Christian, we are called upon to live in the midst of much evil. To do so requires much grace from the Lord.Heed these verses with which I close.

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, [He is] my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, [and] from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth [shall be thy] shield and buckler,” Psalm 91:1-4.