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Chaplain: Gay men should have sodomy warning tattoos
Robert Mendick and Simon Kirby06.10.08
The chaplain to the London Stock Exchange is under pressure to quit today after demanding gay men should be forced to have "sodomy" warnings tattooed on their bodies.
The suggestion is contained in a series of comments on the internet blog of the Rev Peter Mullen.
The Bishop of London today branded Mr Mullen's comments "highly offensive" and Stonewall, the gay rights charity, said he should resign.
Mr Mullen, 66, wrote on his blog: "It is time that religious believers began to recommend ... discouragements of homosexual practices after the style of warnings on cigarette packets.
"Let us make it obligatory for homosexuals to have their backsides tattooed with the slogan SODOMY CAN SERIOUSLY DAMAGE YOUR HEALTH and their chins with FELLATIO KILLS."
In the same blog, Mr Mullen, who is also rector of St Michael's Cornhill and St Sepulchre without Newgate in the City, also calls for all gay pride parades - which he brands "obscene" - to be outlawed. In another internet posting, the rector wrote a poem condemning the blessing of two gay priests at a "wedding" which the Rev Martin Dudley performed at his church St Bartholomew the Great in the City.
The poem begins: "The Bishop of London is in a high huff, Because Dr Dudley has married a puff; And not just one puff - he's married another: Two priests, two puffs and either to other."
The ceremony, which took place in the summer, was roundly condemned by the Bishop of London, the Rt Rev Richard Chartres, as a breach of Church of England rules. But the bishop today also rebuked Mr Mullen for his remarks.
In a statement issued to the Evening Standard, a spokesman said: "While clergy are entitled to their own personal views, we recognise that the content of this text is highly offensive and is in no way reflective of the views of the Diocese of London."
A source at the Diocese said the chaplain may now face a disciplinary inquiry over his comments. The source said: "These comments are now being looked at internally within the Diocese and he faces disciplinary procedures."
Ben Summerskill, Stonewall's chief executive, said today: "If I was a member of the Stock Exchange I would be wondering whether he is the right person to be chaplain in the opening years of the 21st century. We have talked to one or two gay people in the City and they would be perfectly happy if he were to go."
When confronted over his comments yesterday at St Michael's Cornhill the rector claimed they were in jest.
He said: "I wrote some satirical things on my blog and anybody with an ounce of sense of humour or any understanding of the tradition of English satire would immediately assume that they're light-hearted jokes. I certainly have nothing against homosexuals. Many of my dear friends have been and are of that persuasion.
"What I have got against them is the militant preaching of homosexuality."
Nicola Beckley, who has been Mr Mullen's parishioner for the past 10 years, said: "He's a great leader and doesn't cloud his views in political correctness."
Reader views (89)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
Interesting to read he has nothing against gays, but objects to their militant preaching of homosexuality. Is it not the church and the preaching of the Americans in their brain washing seminars that are preaching the brain washing!?
Interesting to wonder how much of the pink pound is running his job.
Waste of a job and tax payers money... get rid.
- Steve Brown, Birmingham, England
Mr. Islington, one would suppose that by 'the Christian mind' you would be intending to infer that this be understood as synonymous with your own mind. Is it possible that a more humility-inflected position would at least understand that each Christan mind is distinct and maybe even unique?
In a strange way, this incident is heartening in that it illustrates that the separating and oppressive force of bigotry is, in the West, not isolated to my own nation. That such a force continues to hold sway by anyone, much less a member of the clergy and a community leader is of course quite depressing.
Finally, the outstanding question I and I believe many would have, is what is the nature of the Reverend's own sexuality? Is it possible that he may be, like many, many of his colleagues, himself of this very 'persuasion', and suffering, as so many do, from the self-hatred induced by the persecution of gay people in so many human societies? Or is he actually what many have come to understand as a delusional and oxymoronic example of self-indentification; a bona fide heterosexual clergy-person of the Church of England?
- George Arnold, Boston, USA
so how would this have been treated if it were the same comments made about black people?- outrage i suspect, but it still seems acceptable to 'bate' gay people in this way and pass it off as 'humour' and would some of the so called 'christian' sympathisers agree with this mans views if they were expressed about blacks? - it is not that long ago that the church did indeed hold similar views of black people.
- Simon, london
I must agree with the Rev. No more Nu Labor political correctness just for the sake of it. He is just speaking his Christian mind.
- Georgie, Islington, London
Mr Mullen needs to have 'offensive, out of touch and homophobic' tattooed on his head!
- Stuart, Luton, UK
What a vile, repugnant, stupid and odious man! However - I don't know what's more worrying - putting up with and having to read his bigoted ramblings or reading some of the comments written on this forum by some who actually side or sympathise with him and his bile??!!!
- Ali Sichilongo, London
In 5 days God made light, the world and everything in it.
He could make anything he wanted.
Then He made Adam, He only made Eve later.
Think about it Mr. Chaplain.
- Jay Bee, clapham U.K.
Its true that we should not judge people, however this matter was decisiveley judged and the evidence of such Judgement has been found by those who are looking. Those that havent are the type of people we all know who reject anything. Many cities in ancient times have been judged and destroyed for practicing these condemed practices. It is only this generation that have lost their way and have not understood. The result is one of the greatest declines of any nation in history and America is sinking even faster. You see the wisdom is as long as one doesnt affect the other the do ay u like. Well unfortunately it isnt like that. Those who are blind in certain respects should ask why we are so concerned about these practices. Besides Sodom and Gomarrah, many ancient Empires that allowed these practices have been spectactularly destroyed. Here I can refer you to Herculaneum and Pompie destroyed by Versuvius also the Mycean Empire destroyed by Sandtorini plus a number of others all known for these unacceptable practices such as Port Royal Martinique. Why we are upset, it is because we don't want to suffer the same fate. Not only are these people destroying themselvs but those who don't want to be a part of it. So the Bishop is right to mention it. Rome started as a dynamic honest society that the corrupt Greeks learned to their cost, the lowest man in the Roman army could not be bribed. At the end even the throne of the Emperor was up for sale three or four times a year.
- Jas, Alders
He might be a closet gay himself, many of the anti gay hatemongers have alot of close male pals if you know what I mean and he is spouting hateful trash as Jesus never attacked gays but did reject capitalism and ejected the money men from the temple!
Perhaps this twit can explain why places such as St Pauls & Westminster abbey charge for entrance?, they cant be houses of God then?
- Gordon, London
This sort of intolerant moron gives religion an even worse image than it already has. He should be defrocked immediately. Hardly surprising that there are so few people who now admit to being christians.
- Lezli Taubler, London/UK
This man is repugnant and unworthy of a British citizenship – throw him off the island.
Let us not forget how the Church of England treated its slaves in the 1800’s, it burned the C of E’s estate brand into human flesh onto the chests of slaves with a red-hot irons, the word ‘SOCIETY’ to stop them running away.
Can anyone see the similarity in this fascist’s method? He and other anti-Christ’s picks only from the bible what suits them and fails to mention any other form of sin such as theft, murder, gathering mammon, eating shell fish, cutting your hair...I never see them outside prisons or Waitrose ranting hate?
This man is inciting violence and hate against other humans. Let us strip all religions of power and influence over our laws...
- Ronan The Secular, London
This remark shows how completely Mullen has removed himself from Christ's ministry of unconditional love. This is the man who would stare Christ out and cast the first stone. Lest the Taliban Tendency get a hold (or even the criminally humourless), he should be made an example of by his bishop without delay.
The incitement of hatred and derision, in the disguise of jest or not, is what this man is up to - and it will not do.
- Patrick Ardagh-Walter, London & Oxford
read his book, "holy smoke",brilliant beyond description!!
this clergyman,as i have experienced,can make his congregation rock with laughter,whilst at the same time,conveying a spiritual message.
- Neil, london
Report the man to the city of London police for hate crime!
- Will, London
Having met Peter Mullen I would say he represents many things - decency, honesty, truth and the Light of the Lord.
C of E has lost not only its sense of humour, but completely lost its way.
As a Calvinist, I have no time for Bishops anyway (who should have been dispensed with at the Reformation with the other abherrations of Rome), so the Bishop of London's condemnation bothers me little. Why not condemn illegal church marriage between people of the same sex?
Sympathy, tolerance and understanding are great qualities, but accepting perversions of common sense is another. Surely one can respect and defend the right to be homosexual without respecting the institutionalised nonsense that is a 'gay marriage'. In better days that would have meant a jolly good party!
Shame on the C of E (destroyed by Blair's Wooly-Bearded appointees) and good for you Rev Mullen - 'Sense in The City'!
- Philip, Glasgow, United Kingdom
There’s no difference between the state of mind and behaviour/attitude of today’s people and that of the ancient people who crucified Jesus, and that’s sad, very sad… If Jesus was to come again on Earth these days, no doubt that people would crucify Him again, same as before, same as they exclude and try to destroy anyone who ‘dares’ to try and open their eyes.
“O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you?” (Jesus Christ - Matthew 17:17)
It looks like people overestimate themselves way too much and they forget too easily how mortal and passers-by they are on this planet.
Material things, money or earthly titles/honours have no value beyond the grave and beyond this world – we take nothing/none of these/them beyond the grave. Naked were we born and naked we leave this world. People are fooling no one but themselves.
“Men only build to nothingness
Vain dreams in noble guise:
When waves to silent tomb quiesce
New waves again will rise;
Men merely live by stars of luck
And star-crossed fatefulness;
We have no death to prove our pluck
Nor place or time possess.
And seem to rise to endless morn
While death in wait would lie,
For all die only to be born
And all are born to die.”
(Mihai Eminescu – ‘The Legend of The Evening Star’)
- Wonderingmind, London, UK
Call me crazy but I think this might be a pretty good idea. I mean..it would make it easier to identify a gay person. As a straight man, I would get a tattoo on my chin that said "Here for a goodtime".
- Michael Berryman, Sussex
No wonder if God's punishment will come suddenly and (not) without warning upon this world one day, same as it happened to Sodom and Gomorrah... And that day doesn't seem too far, judging by what's happening with this perverted and atheist, brainwashed, greedy, money-driven/money-worshipping, materialistic, spiritually dead society, nowadays, when the disturbingly abnormal became normal and the non-values tend to be treated and promoted as important values, and what’s wrong seen as right and vice versa etc.
Too bad that people continue to be blind and careless and waste their time uselessly and looking for new ways to destroy each other rather than helping each other.
Too bad that no one really opens his/her eyes to look around and see that God's patience is coming to an end (i.e. natural calamities and disasters, tsunamis, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, droughts, starvation, violence, crimes, wars etc, like never before).
The human race is drifting away from the Truth and is complacently sinking in its sinful existence more and more, each day… It doesn’t take much for anyone healthy minded (that is in the right state of mind) - if there are such people left these days - to notice that The Apocalypse is actually happening now, slowly, but surely, and that the human species is directly responsible for generating it…
- Wonderingmind, London, UK
It is most amazing that in a time of economical upheaval the so called Chaplin to the most prominent Stock Exchange in the world decides to make a statement like this one.
His homophobia seems to be worn on his sleeve and he needs to rethink his whole calling.
Let us not forget the many many clergymen of all faiths who abused children in many ways but most of all sexual
- Peter Foy, London Ontario Canada
Shall we go back to wearing the pink triangle? The mind boggles at the level of depravity that would suggest such concepts, even as humor. Sadly, I think it is clear what motivates the "Reverend," and it is not the desire to amuse anyone - at least not anyone who holds Christian values dear.
- Bill Begert, New York, NY, USA
Mmmmm, not a bad idea. . . . .lets run with it.
- Eoin Mcgreeghan, Derry, NI
What a delightful idea... but the entirely wrong angle.
Hateful closed-minded losers like this dude should have "BIGOT" tattooed in big letters across his forehead.
What better way to warn people to not listen to this rather un-Christ-like blowhard.
- Jopsy, San Diego, California, USA
This man sounds obsessed, more than healthily, I would say. His obsession with homosexuality reminds me of poor Lord Longford (Lord Porn) who made so many trips to other countries to study live porno-show and cabarets that he became a laughing-stock.
This London Stock Exchange Chaplain (and they need one) must resign for someone more balanced and tactful.
- Sydney Marks, London, UK
Why the fuss? This man and his religion are totally irrelevant to the vast majority of the population of this country. Nobody with an ounce of sense gives a monkey's about what he thinks
- Robert, Canterbury uk
What a sad man. It's high time the church stopped being a refuge for those ugly in mind and body.
- Nick, London
Not all gay people have anal sex, and quite a few straight people I know do so his argument isn't even based on the facts. But then again... he also believes in gods and other crazy stuff too so I don't know if the babble of an insane person matters in the first place.
- Anthony, New York, NY
Leviticus 18:9 says: Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.
If you do not believe in the Bible, see below:
Marriage: The state of being married; The union of a man and a woman, to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life. From the dictionary.
I am not against homossexuals but homossexualism goes to the opposite way of the human nature. It is not normal.
Why do homossexuals can speak out and say whatever they want and when someone says something that is not in their favour, he is likely to suffer some kind of punishment?
Unfortunately, we live in a time like Sodom and Gomorrah.
Emerson, London
- Emerson, London
'Light hearted joke?' It sounds to me like this excuse of a man is fighting his own demons of desire. Why does he feel the need to say such offensive and hypocritical words in his role. He needs to look at the man he sees in his mirror and ask himself 'Is this appropriate conduct for a man of the church?'
- Julie Stonier, cumbria, uk
Yet again a man of God shows his true colours.
He should be renamed Rev Hitler.
Christian Dion
- Christian Dion, Hollywood USA
So what is the difference between this moronic so-called "Christian" preaching hatred & encouraging discrimination against one part of the community and the moronic so-called "Islamic" Imams preaching hatred & encouraging discrimination against another part of the community? Both should be removed from the position of being able to influence the opinions & actions of easily-swayed fools. Prosecute now.
- Andy Britt, Brussels, Belgium
Hooray!
Mullen for Canterbury!
- Gf, london
Note to Reverend Douchebag: You might want to remove the beam that destroyed your left eye before judging the 'mo in your brother's eye.
- Christopher, New York, USA
I don't think anyone would or should have taken these comments seriouly & so if said in mere jest, presumably this is just another example of political correctness dictating limits on even humour? In a free society, we should not be forced to examine every word for fear of the consequences of ignoring Big Brother!
- Keith Simpson, Wareham, Dorset
Same for Bankers?
- R James, Redland
Yet another reason to ridicule all god botherers. This idiot wears a dress, preaches fairy stories but hates Gay people, how bizarre.
- Kerry Trubee, purley
The last thing the stock exchange needs is a bigoted buffoon like the sixty six year old Rev.Mullen who should resign or retire.
- Derek, London
Puff,and I thought it was Poof.
Lighten up folks,Peter Mullen is a super bright bloke with 'a sense of humour' which despite political correctness is still allowed.
Like many of us he is quite relaxed aboout gaydom etc., as long as it is not "rammed down our throats"
Smile and heterosexuals will smile with you!¬
- Michael Mcgough, loughton,essex
Why oh why oh why are "religious" people so obbessed with gay men and gay sex. They clearly profess to abhor it yet they go on and on and about it, why? I mean loads of things in my life I don't like (God botherers, knitting, cats, Daily Mail readers, lettuce) but I dont feel the need to tell the world how much it upsets and offends me. On the contary, I just avoid it, ignore it and turn the page. And, I have to agree with other comments, as a gay man who's majority of male and female friends are straight they all are into and get loads of more "fellatio" and "anal" action than any gay men I know so perhaps we should have a mass immunisation and tattoing policy to save the straight world.
- Kris, West London
Would be politically correct to write it only in English?
- Cuddly Duddly, Cuffley UK
How funny! This guy should be on TV. I for one do understand the tradition of English satire and as such can understand the mans intent. I do not get offended by such throw away nonsense, I read it and move on. Does that make me anti-gay? No. Does it make me pro-church? No, it just makes me someone who is happy we live in a country where we are allowed to voice our opinion, even if certain sections of our society dont like it. And long may that continue!!!!
- Jc, London
Perhaps there should be a warning printed on all bibles:
"The persons and events depicted in this book are fictional and bear no relation to persons now living or who have ever lived. The ideas contained in this book may result in the reader adopting bigoted, racist, sexist and homophobic views and therefore caution is advised.".
- Adam, Harrow, UK
Mullen deserves a good thrashing for this...it is the only lesson smug and conceited men like this understand.Which ever Bishop is responsible for this sick individual Mullen should take away his licence today.Someone should sue this prelate out of his last shilling.Satire?..is he insane?
- Chris Davies, Stalybridge UK
Perhaps, in return for his suggestion being adopted, Chaplain Mullen would agree to have 'superstitious bigot' engraved on his forehead.
- Ken D, USA
Here we go again - that old rubbish about "promoting" homosexuality. How can you promote something which is entirely innate? Can you promote ginger hair, small noses or short legs? How does this sad cleric manage to even talk with such a microscopic brain? If he is one of those evangelical "literal bible" fools, he would do well to see the BBC item on the many additions and alterations, missing parts, and extra "footage" clearly visible in the oldest complete Bible, from the Monastery in Sinai.
- Alex Mckenna, Manchester
"He's a great leader and doesn't cloud his views in political correctness... and instead clouds his views in bigotry and homophobia."
- Xavier, London, UK
The clergyman is almost correct in his thinking-what about the spread of aids-homosexuals rarely heed the warnings.
- Norman Mccollum, normanton, west yorkshire
It's about time someone exposed what these perverts do to eachother ! It is not a natural act and homosexuals choose to call themselves 'gay' to give themselves some sort of false respectability' I prefer the term 'queers'
Kathy Doyle, London SW1
- Kathy Doyle, London
"Satire", indeed. I think Mullen needs to review the meaning of the word.
Maybe, instead of worrying about homosexuality, he should be counselling his friends at the Stock Exchange about the sins of greed and venality, which, in the current economic climate, seem much more relevant.
- Glyn, Hackney
It’s sad that when caught with his pants down the Rev Mullen doesn’t have the courage of his own distasteful convictions and stand by what he wrote. Instead he claims he has nothing against homosexuals. In fact it was all just a joke. What fun, the public naming and shaming of the gay community with, no doubt, the chaplain of the Stock Exchange doing the tattooing. God help his many homosexual gay friends, because he certainly won’t. There’s nothing quite matches the Church Militant for vindictiveness.
- Norman, London
A man of the Church condemning a sin! Amazing! I never thought it would happen again. I thought those days were truly gone. The politically correct will have to crucify him, of course. He also deserves some punishment for writing a clever and amusing little verse that scans and rhymes. One detects, too, that he believes in that old-fashioned idea, free speech. What a relic he is from the bad old days of Britain's Christian past!
- Jillian Becker, Palo Alto, California, USA
i think its a good idea, as long as the church leaders tattoo their choirboys with the same... lets not be hypocritical.
- Daveb, london
What does he suggest that heterosexual priests who abuse children have tatooed?
He should resign and grow up.
- David Parker, LONDON
ok so the Rev is out of order, with his comments. But many of you are so wrong(and just as offensive) in your sweeping anti chrstian comments.
I bet if a memeber of your family was seriously ill you would all run to the hopital chaplain drop to your knees and pray!!! maybe the rev is not the only bigot here....................
- Kh, London UK
Religion the daftest thing mankind EVER invented.
- Mike, County Durham
It's a shame he's British, McCain could do with a running mate of this calibre.
- Bjorn Agin, Texas, US
Dear Peter, you are going to Hell. Kind regards
- Seriously Offended, London
"Fellatio Kills?" Not likely, but if it does, then it will need to be tattooed to the chins of the majority of the heterosexual population as well. No wonder most of us steer clear of churches.
- Dave, North London
Wow! I think it would be a good idea, would certainly help me on the pull and avoid those awkward situations with straight men.
On his comment; "what I have got against them is the militant preaching of homosexuality"
I have got an issue with his militant praching of religion, so can I get him tattooed with; "religious nut case?"
- Jp, London
"I certainly have nothing against homosexuals. Many of my dear friends have been and are of that persuasion", says the not so reverend Peter Mullens. Well that's alright then. Lets all be evil to whoever we chose, be it gays, christians, black, ginger-haired people, physically or mentally handicapped people to name but a few and if things go a bit wrong then we can quickly claim to have "a friend of that persuasion" and all will be fine. How can anyone possibly take offence? Obviously it must be that they dont have "an ounce of sense of humour or any understanding of the tradition of English satire". The man is an ignorant fool and a liability to the Church. He should be sacked by the Church immediately and tried for incitement to hatred, as this is plainly and precisely what he intended to do.
- Daniel, London
"the tolerance of intolerance" - well said frank.
Why do we have to put up with the allowed bigotry of any religion. Can't wait until this little period in history and this story involving the sons of abraham is over and done with - but then there there will be the next bunch of bigots.
I am assuming that by the time this is posted - he will be fired - or as people have said tattooed with "bigot" on his forehead. Come on City of London, surely you can have a say in this.
- Jc, se1
And children should have warnings about priests tattooed on them.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
erm, ok...it may be a taboo..but he does know that heterosexual couples do indulge in anal sex right? and fellatio is common practice in gay and straight counterparts? Should we all get tattooed?
- Josh Kraig, london,uk
I will be very happy to pay to have the lords prey tatooed on the Chaplins right hand,and the lords Ten commandments Tatooed on his left hand.To remind him of the lords teachings out side of the intitution that he preaches too!May the Good Lord find forgiveness in his heart for this poor misguided soul.Preys will be said for him in Compton street tonight!
- Selwyn Channon, epsom
Mr. Mullen has a very peculiar sense of humor. I would rather presume it's a that kind of (self)hate that urge people to commit crimes against their objects of hate.
And Mr. Mullen - just for the record - I hate the militant preaching of religions. It's sickening society. Nevertheless I will not ask for tattoo's for priests so they can be recognized and left out of pools where children are swimming.
In our family we make it a point to think about hate crimes. When man of the clergy are spreading the hate word it's getting difficult to present them as a decent species. I rather warn my children for the kind.
- Peter, Rotterdam - Netherlands
These are not 'jokes' : this man believes this...
Somewhat echoing SJ's comments, but it does need echoing : perhaps they could be moved to one area of Britain 'for their own safety', and encouraged to work together (for fear of offending people like the God-loving Reverend) in their own little camps : perhaps emblazoned with the slogan 'Arbeit Macht Frei' ?
(Look it up Reverend, and think again about how to be a human being...)
- Ian Mccolm, sittingbourne UK
As chaplain to the stock exchange, what's he got tattooed on his privates, then - "GREED IS GOOD"?
With him at their spiritual helm, is it any wonder the city's going tits up?
- Lutra, Hoxton
From Edward Burke:
I take toleration to be a part of religion. I do not know which I would sacrifice; I would keep them both: it is not necessary that I should sacrifice either.
- Mikki, Hackney, London
The chaplain's remarks remind me a bit of an old routine by Monthy Pythons' Flying Circus:
*The Church Fuzz*:
(shrieking female voice): "There is a dead bishop on the pathway !!!!!"
Church fuzz (dark male voice): "Mmmhhh - disgusting....looks a bit Bath-and-Wells'ish to me..."
Shrieking female voice again: "How do YOU know???"
Church fuzz again: "Tattoo at the back of the neck....."
BTW: I agree with Frank - there is not only misguided "tolerance for all intolerances", but active encouragement for all minorities, however weird and perverted, to dictate their "values" on the majority with totalitarian zeal (and complete lack of any humour).
- Weddigen, London SW6
"What I have got against them is the militant preaching of homosexuality." Doesn't Mr Mullen preach too? How hypocritical.
I think he also needs to revisit the definition of 'satire'.
- We, Kent, UK
The irony is that the Bible is even more critical of lending or borrowing money for profit than it is of homosexuality. So, as Chaplin to the City, if Rev Mullen really believes all he reads in the Bible, he should be giving up his job, mortgage and credit cards. Unless, as I suspect, he only believes those bits that support his bigoted views.
- Carlos Kytka, London
Unfrock him!
- David Holland, London UK
Predictable reactions just swing the debate the other way. Don't you see that the militancy he has reacted against is part of the problem? Yes, his position is disproportionate and disgusting but he's not a war criminal and your sexuality isn't everyone else's problem.
Quite rightly he won't get away with what he has said but let's rein in the outraged indignation. He's an idiot. Please stop behaving as if homophobia or whatever is the end of the universe.
- Jack, London, England
FELLATIO KILLS, huh?
Someone should tell this to the GUM clinics around the country who would declare fellatio as low risk even for HIV.
Then they ought to get around to tattoing a large part of the adult population regardless of sexual orientation as National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles II found that over three-quarters of both men and women had experienced oral sex in the past year.
Add to that, they would probably have to tattoo more heterosexuals with SODOMY CAN SERIOUSLY DAMAGE YOUR HEALTH than they would homosexuals.
Best estimates would suggest 1 in 10 (i.e 10%) of the population might be lesbian or gay, and by no means do all of them will engage in anal intercourse.
The National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles II, 2000-2001, identified that more than one in ten heterosexuals had had anal intercourse (12.3 per cent men, 11.3 per cent of women) in the past year.
- Rg, London UK
"I certainly have nothing against Christians. Many of my dear friends have been and are of that persuasion. What I have got against them is the militant preaching of Christianity. Perhaps they could be tattooed with 'superstitious bigot' to warn decent people."
- Robert, London
Anyone who has met Peter Mullen will know that he has a strong sense of humour. It may not be to some people's tastes, but then, we all have different senses of humour, don't we. They will also know that he is a man of high intelligence and a credit to his parish and his Church.
- Simon Richards, Cheltenham, United Kingdom.
Start packing your case.........
Sadly stupidity is a terminal disease and this man is in the end stages!
- Tk, London
Written in "Jest"? Who is he trying to kid. The internet for most of us is a great source of information and entertainment, to others like our dear Reverend here it has become an arena to site hatred and backward views. True, everyone should have the opportunity to sound their views no matter how extreme or unpopular but what isn't acceptable is this unconsidered, offensive and purposely homophobic rant. Would Rev Mullen also like us to burn our books, walk around with pink triangles on our lapels and gas our parents for bearing us as well as tattooing us with government health warnings?
- Richard, London
I hope that, after such offensive comments against gay people by Rev Peter Mullen, some of his "dear friends.....of that persuasion" will explain to him how gay people get fed up with those who make offensive remarks thinking, when caught-out, that they can get away with it by calling it "light-hearted jokes".
We live in a free society and he is free to say what he thinks. Why cant religious bigots just admit that they are religious bigots so we can all treat them with the contempt and disgust they deserve?
I look forward to his light hearted jokes about blacks, jews and muslims.
- Paul Barnes, London
Perhaps the good reverend ought to have "bigotry kills" tatooed on his tongue.
- Warren Alexander, London, UK
What an ignorant, self publicising and immature fool.
Anyone with an ounce of intelligence should know if you have an issue with something, the best way of going about it, is in an adult way.
As for backtracking under the guise of 'in jest' or 'light hearted' I suggest he take a look in the mirror some time.
- Simon Caleb, London
This man is clearly full of Christian charity and love and compassion, did he possibly miss Jesus' central message?! How on earth was he appointed in the first place?
- Nigel, London WC1
this isn't a case of PC or not PC, or of differing senses of humour. tatooing minorities is what nazis did. This man is in a supposedly caring profession and he is empowered to give advice and counsel people. He should be immediately removed from his job.
- Sj, london, uk
Bit rich coming froma a member of the church, and we all know how partial a lot of them are to the odd choir boy.
- P I Staker, London
Given the context of his comments and his expressed antipathy to what he sees as 'militant preaching of homosexuality' (which I presume is about homosexuals lobbying for their right to express their love for their partners, have their relationships civilly recognised, for equality of opportunity and a reduction in stigma, discrimination and abuse) it is clear that this is not light hearted humour. It looks more like an attempt to denigrate gay men and to encourage hatred and for their civil rights to be removed. If he is so concerned at the transmission of Sexually transmitted diseases why is he also denigrating lesbians who as a population probably have a lower risk of contracting them than anyone else? A young gay man was recently left paralysed after being attacked on the edge of the city. I believe it is hateful comments like these from the powerful and those in authority that give permission for and encourage such attacks.
- David, London
Is he jealous because he isn't getting any?
- Neil, london uk, Airstrip ONE .
He's absolutely right. The problem is there is no Absolutes in our society, only the tolerance of all intolerances. Thus the continuing collapse of our society.
- Frank, England.
This man is clearly an idiot of the highest order. If he thinks fellatio is confined only to gay men he needs to be educated fast. Half the population (and more) would have 'FELLATIO KILLS' tattood on their chins if he had his wish. What a total buffoon this man is.
- Paul Wilson, London, UK
....And the church wonders why attendance is falling and why most people regard it as completely irrelevant in a modern world. Didn't Jesus Christ preach love and goodwill to all men? Yet the church (and indeed other religious beliefs) is dominated by bigots with extreme views. The sooner religion is elminated the better.
- Mcw, London
What a vile individual. Spouting the views of the gutter. Though I do wonder why this institution feels the need for a chaplain. A witch doctor performing a "rain dance" for higher share prices might be just as effective.
- Alan, London
