Beware of Christian Fundamentalists

KENILWORTH, 28 MARCH 2006 — If gay pop star Will Young is feeling emotionally vulnerable, he should be very wary of becoming involved with Christian fundamentalists including those who promote the Alpha Course, warned the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (GALHA).

GALHA was reacting to a report in the Daily Mail that Mr Young was feeling depressed, that he was unable to make a relationship because of his fame, and had joined a group of fundamentalist Christians in South Kensington, London, following his participation in an Alpha Course.

GALHA Secretary George Broadhead said: “Getting involved with Christian fundamentalists like those who promote the Alpha Course is not the answer. They are the last people a gay person who is feeling down and depressed should seek help from because they homophobic, dishonest about their purpose, and will provide the opposite of the kind of comfort and reassurance that is needed.”

Mr Broadhead said that Alpha was a course based on a fundamentalist interpretation of Christianity. “It is beautifully packaged and marketed and seems very appealing at first sight. But you don't have to look very far beneath the glossy surface to find that Alpha is as homophobic as the Christian Institute or Christian Voice. The people who run this course are smooth-tongued and will try to conceal their anti-gay attitudes, but if they are pressed they will tell you that homosexual love is an illness and that it is against the teachings of the Bible.”

Mr Broadhead advised any gay person tempted by the Alpha Course’s promise of “exploring the big questions” to beware. “They do not welcome real discussion. You are not encouraged to ask questions. They have the questions and they have the answers, too. You accept their fundamentalist Christian world view or you get out. The answer is to stay well away. Alpha uses all the techniques of the other religious cults to draw in those who feel at odds with the world or who are lonely. But for gay people in this position, the last place they should turn for help is to the Alpha Course and those who promote it. Mr Young would do much better to seek advice from secular counselling organisations.”