It was held at Amara hotel, on 10 May 2007, pertaining to the Christian perspective on homosexuality. The church that hosted it is FCC (Free Community Church), the only gay-affirming church in Singapore.There are 4 Speakers: (in order as presented on the panel yesterday)
1. Rev. Dr. Tan Kim Huat
(Chen Su Lan Professor of New Testament and
Dean of Studies at Trinity Theological College)
2.Anthony Yeo
(Clinical Director of Counselling and Care Centre)
3. Edmund Smith
(Founder of ex-gay movement Real Life Ministry)
4. Rev. Dr. Yap Kim Hao, PhD
(Boston University, Mass, USA)
(First Asian Bishop of The Methodist Church in Malaysia and Singapore, Pastoral Advisor- Free Community Church)
The Moderator:
Augustine Anthuvan
(Assistant Programme Manager, MediaCorp Radio)
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Someone said that the panel is not balanced, since noone is anti-gay.
I think we need to differentiate between homosexuality and the homosexual person. If you are against people (and you can't get them out of your argument), you will find your arguments framed as personal attacks. Therefore, to have a constructive discussion on homosexuality, it is better to seek panelists who are neutral towards gay persons, but divided on the issue of homosexuality. [Speakers 1 and 3 are not for homosexuality; Speakers 2 and 4 are gay-affirming.]
Is it possible to divide the person from the sexual orientation in a discussion?
Yes. But many gay people find it difficult to separate the two because sexuality is such a salient component of their sense of self. And hence the civilized verbal attacks on Edmund Smith (ex-gay pastor).
Because so much was touched on, i am going to share my thoughts in a series.