Is It A Sin For A Political Leader To Hold His Or Her Own Personal Thoughts On Subjects Such As Homosexuality?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.lbc.co.uk/politics/elections/general-election-2017/leaders-live/tim-farron-refuses-to-say-homosexuality-sin/

[dannyk13]

No, his personal views should remain private if he so wishes.

[ToraToraTora]

nope, gollum is entitled to his view. It is sad, that like many, he is an adherent to one or other of the books of fairy tales but that's his right too.

[AB Editor]

It is a little hard to separate the person and their opinions - we partly elect our politicians for their personal views, so for some this will be an issue.

It's not a sin, but it is a difficult position to maintain.

[ToraToraTora]

surely ED in his eyes it's a sin to go against the writings of his chosen reference book.

[anotheoldgit]

ToraToraTora

Forget about the 'story tales' (that you chose to call them), there are many non religious people who hold their own personal view regarding homosexuality, are they also to be named called and condemned?

[-Talbot-]

This subject intrigues and befuddles me.

Farron despite once saying homosexuality isn't a sin (after constantly refusing to answer the question) obviously thinks homosexuality is a sin ... he refused to repeat his lie today.

So long as he votes in a fashion that is best for his political career rather than his honest views people seem happy.

If he was a hate figure I doubt many would give him the same free ride.

[anotheoldgit]

AB Editor

Hi Ed completely off track I know but since we have you on board, any news on Gromit?

See:
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/AB-Editors-Blog/Question1555006.html

[ToraToraTora]

AOG: "Forget about the 'story tales' (that you chose to call them), there are many non religious people who hold their own personal view regarding homosexuality, are they also to be named called and condemned? " - Not at all people are entitled to their view but the media are going after TF because his views appear to be based on scripture rather than personal prejudice, possibly the latter is extruded from the former. I do not really care what people think of homosexuals but I do object to blind religious adherence, especially in those who aspire to rule us.

[andy-hughes]

I would say not, but as an atheist, I don't have any truck with the concept of 'sin' anyway.

This is just one of those problems that Christians create for themselves when they choose to worship a 'loving' God who ties them up in doubt and worry for their entire waking lives.

[kvalidir]

I think its an untenable position to admit your adherence to a religion colours your view on something perfectly lawful as sinful and wrong, when you lead a political party. We all have our own personal opinions about lots of things, but in this day and age such an opinion from a public representative is unwelcome at best.

[ichkeria]

If he stands up for LGBT rights the rest matters not.
I think he was a bit irritated by the question and probably should have repeated what he said the last time. If he does think homosexuality is a "sin", his political actions are all that matter (see above) and it is therefore a religious matter of no relevance but unfortunately the word "sin" is very emotive and this issue just seems to follow him around.

[anotheoldgit]

kvalidir

/// We all have our own personal opinions about lots of things, but in this day and age such an opinion from a public representative is unwelcome at best. ///

Oh! so public representatives should not hold or voice their own opinions, so are we to tolerate a body of 'all in the same mind robots' to govern us?

Or maybe that is the ultimate goal in "This Day and Age"?

[Bigbad]

In our nice fluffy world, we are supposed to ‘hug’ all manner of deviants and atypical preferences, and if we don’t we are a ‘something phobe’ or ‘a something ist.’
So I don’t think people in the public eye can really afford to give a negative opinion on this, regardless of their true beliefs, for fear of alienating too many people.
Politicians lie all the time, so a big fat lie about this wouldn’t have made any difference.

Personally, I’d have thought more of him if he’d been honest. (But he still wouldn’t have got my vote).

[kvalidir]

The goal in ' this day and age' is for an equal, tolerant society where all feel included and accepted, not somewhere people are judged and told they are sinners.

[anotheoldgit]

ichkeria

/// If he stands up for LGBT rights the rest matters not. ///

Absolutely agree, goes without saying, but not just LGBT rights, everyone's rights on an equal basis.

[ichkeria]

"If he was a hate figure I doubt many would give him the same free ride. "

He plainly IS a "hate figure" here.
In general it seems he IS being pestered about this continuously. If there was a shred of evidence that his religious beliefs were afffecting his politics then I'd be going after him as well, but there doesn't seem to be. The question just sounds a bit like unwarranted and prurient dare I say moralising :-)

[anotheoldgit]

kvalidir

There are many who I class as 'sinners' but one does not have to be religious to think that.

[andy-hughes]

ichkeria - By discussing the concept in terms of 'sin' Mr Fallon has instantly crossed the line from objective political view to personal faith-based opinion. That is an area no politician should ever enter in public speech, it sends the message that his required objectivity in making decisions is compromised by his personal views, and that makes him an unsuitable politician.

I am surprised Mr Fallon does not know better – unless his faith compelled him to state his opinion – either of which means his political career is on the slide.

[andy-hughes]

AOG - //Oh! so public representatives should not hold or voice their own opinions, so are we to tolerate a body of 'all in the same mind robots' to govern us? //

I suggest that is not what Kvaldir is saying.
Everyone holds opinions, that is only right, but the time and place to voice them is governed by suitability, not only of the view, but in the terms it is expressed.

As I have pointed out in my previous post – stating that a view is based on personal religious conviction is entirely at odds with the required objectivity and measured views that are the default position of politicians.

[ichkeria]

Who first brought up the issue of "sin" tho Andy? And what does it mean anyway? It's purely, it seems to me, some recondite religious matter. As I said before if he actively campaigns for LGBT to be treated as equals within the law, then that is good enough for me and should be for everyone. It seems about as relevant to me as worrying that someone thinks that toves are slithy and not mimsy :-)
But mention the "S" word and everyone gets alarmed.