Christian writer and activist Symon Hill will today arrive in central London at the conclusion of a 160-mile pilgrimage of repentance for his former homophobia.
Hill, who has walked from Birmingham, will speak at Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church in Shaftesbury Avenue at 7pm, before joining the Pride march tomorrow.
The pilgrimage began at Carr’s Lane Church in central Birmingham on 16 June. Hill has encouraged Christians as a whole to support equality and promote loving same-sex relationships, reports the UK’s Pink Paper.
The walk has included talks and meetings in Birmingham, Coventry, Oxford and Chesham, as well as more informal conversations along the way.
The pilgrimage has been welcomed by the former Bishop of Oxford, Richard Harries, and the human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell. It has been endorsed by twenty-two organisations, including the Greenbelt festival, the Student Christian Movement, Accepting Evangelicals, Bisexual Index and a variety of individual churches.
The walk has been criticised by Stephen Green, director of Christian Voice, whose supporters have lobbied the churches hosting Hill on his walk, urging them not to do so. None of them pulled out as a result. It is not known whether Christian Voice supporters will protest at this evening’s event.
Hill is associate director of the Christian thinktank Ekklesia and author of The No-Nonsense Guide to Religion.
He said: “The pilgrimage has been challenging – physically, emotionally and spiritually. There’s been some really difficult and disheartening moments, but also some truly uplifting ones. I have been amazed and humbled by the hospitality and generosity I have received from both friends and strangers.
“Most of all I have been swept away by the number of supportive messages I have received and the backing I have been offered by so many Christians. Many, many Christians want to reflect the radical inclusivity of Christ by promoting equality for gay and bisexual people. It’s vital that we stand up and speak out.”
Regarding attacks on his pilgrimage by Christian Voice, Hill said: “I have had thought-provoking conversations with a range of people on this walk, including those with different views to my own. It is disappointing that Stephen Green and Christian Voice do not wish to engage in dialogue but only to object to discussion taking place at all. If Stephen Green would like to debate with me in public on these issues, he only has to say so.”
thanks to - PinkPaper.com
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