Send Message to tni01
New Zealand Preacher Brian Tamaki launches attack on gay community
<p>- Brian Tamaki launches attack on gay community<br /> A religious expert claims controversial preacher Brian Tamaki is not the only Christian group leader promoting anti-gay views.</p>
<p>The Destiny Church leader has been in the headlines once again after stating at the "Born in the Fire conference" that "gaypower" is the biggest problem facing the world, and is making an entire generation of children bisexual.</p>
<p>"Gaypower, that spirit is so powerful it's changing political institutions and half of them don't even want it, but they're forced to," Tamaki said.</p>
<p>Peter Lineham, a historian of religion at Massey University, believes conservative Christianity is becoming increasingly divided from mainstream society, and is exhibiting "fear, and nervousness, and uncertainty about the way the world's going."</p>
<p>He said some other New Zealand churches are presenting similar anti-gay messages without being called out.</p>
<p>Lineham claimed Tamaki's lecture is being used as a distraction from internal problems facing the church.<br />"Lots of things haven't work out well for him," Lineham said. "This year he didn't get the money for the schools, it wasn't brought into the integrated system." <br /><br />"Who's to blame? It's never him."<br /><br /><img src="http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/200944/tamstory.jpg" alt="Gay hater" width="300" height="200" /><br /></p>
<p> <br /></p>
<p>Yesterday, Green MP Jan Logie said Tamaki's attack was "astonishing", and that Tamaki had a warped view of the world if love between two people could be described as the biggest problem facing humanity.<br />"I speak for myself when I say I find it offensive that my identity as a person and who I am is being described as something that is open to influence by political whim," she said.</p>
<p>"He seems to be reverting to messages of hate as a way of trying to gain support for his own mission."</p>
<p>Tamaki, who runs Destiny Church with his wife Hannah, has been under fire in recent for years for the tithes the church expects from its congregants who are often lower down the socio-economic ladder.</p>
<p>In 2005, Tamaki led a march of followers through Wellington demanding an end to the Civil Unions Bill. The black-shirted marchers, who chanted "enough is enough" drew comparisons with Nazi Stormtroopers at the time.</p>
<p>Â </p>
<p>The Destiny Church leader has been in the headlines once again after stating at the "Born in the Fire conference" that "gaypower" is the biggest problem facing the world, and is making an entire generation of children bisexual.</p>
<p>"Gaypower, that spirit is so powerful it's changing political institutions and half of them don't even want it, but they're forced to," Tamaki said.</p>
<p>Peter Lineham, a historian of religion at Massey University, believes conservative Christianity is becoming increasingly divided from mainstream society, and is exhibiting "fear, and nervousness, and uncertainty about the way the world's going."</p>
<p>He said some other New Zealand churches are presenting similar anti-gay messages without being called out.</p>
<p>Lineham claimed Tamaki's lecture is being used as a distraction from internal problems facing the church.<br />"Lots of things haven't work out well for him," Lineham said. "This year he didn't get the money for the schools, it wasn't brought into the integrated system." <br /><br />"Who's to blame? It's never him."<br /><br /><img src="http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/200944/tamstory.jpg" alt="Gay hater" width="300" height="200" /><br /></p>
<p> <br /></p>
<p>Yesterday, Green MP Jan Logie said Tamaki's attack was "astonishing", and that Tamaki had a warped view of the world if love between two people could be described as the biggest problem facing humanity.<br />"I speak for myself when I say I find it offensive that my identity as a person and who I am is being described as something that is open to influence by political whim," she said.</p>
<p>"He seems to be reverting to messages of hate as a way of trying to gain support for his own mission."</p>
<p>Tamaki, who runs Destiny Church with his wife Hannah, has been under fire in recent for years for the tithes the church expects from its congregants who are often lower down the socio-economic ladder.</p>
<p>In 2005, Tamaki led a march of followers through Wellington demanding an end to the Civil Unions Bill. The black-shirted marchers, who chanted "enough is enough" drew comparisons with Nazi Stormtroopers at the time.</p>
<p>Â </p>
In regards to Brian Tamaki's comments over the weekend at the Destiny conference, my opinion is simply that it's not a big issue because it is not any different from what he has said in the past.
I was not present at the conference that took place over the weekend but, was Tamaki's speech a fire and brimstone homophobic rant designed to offend people? Maybe to those who let themselves be offended.
But it is something that certainly does not preclude me from being proud of calling Brian and Hannah Tamaki great mates.
Tamaki talks to his people about the same thing he always has since the Enough is Enough march. [In August 2004 Destiny Church lead a march to parliament protesting the Labour government's policy changes to the drinking age, legalising of prostitution and the introduction of the civil union bill].
I consider both Brian and Hannah Tamaki close friends and I am an openly gay male.
Yes it is true, I like to sleep with men, and in case there's any confusion or anybody wants to save me from that, it is okay, you do not need to, because I completely enjoy every moment of it!
Has this ever created an issue between the Tamaki's and myself? Never.
I know their view on the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community, however if I based my friends simply on who did and did not agree with me, I would be the biggest loner in New Zealand and sitting on my own like Brendan Horan did in Parliament.
Brian and Hannah accompanied me to Georgina Beyer's tribute dinner two years ago.
They walked into a room with a 200 strong group of LGBTI people and cross party politicians, sat down with myself, Hone Harawira, Megan Alatini, and Mika the entertainer and enjoyed dinner for hours in honour of a LGBTI icon, enjoying the entertainment provided by that community.
I am not a member of Destiny Church, but I have been there on numerous occasions, and two of their annual conferences.
I'm not particularly inspired by Brian or Hannah specifically, however I am inspired by how many families and individuals they have helped in their congregation, who I now have the privilege of knowing personally.
All churches use the bible as their foundation, so why are we so blown away by what Tamaki is saying?
I have put money in the offering collection when I attend, just the same as when I attend a marae, or any other church service in the country.
The gifting is my choice and on the flipside I usually make Brian pay for lunch at the food court, so in a sense it is a smart investment on my part.
I agree with a lot of what the Tamakis do, including their social welfare work, childhood education and community outreach programs.
Do I agree with their views on homosexuality? Obviously not, no how could I? I will never be a hypocrite about who I am or feel ashamed or unworthy for it.
At least I know with the Tamakis that our friendship is based on trust and transparency. I know exactly what they think which is more than I can say for a lot of other failed friendships.
Brian Tamaki is a man who has the dynasty to actually be vocal about what he thinks, based on his faith inside the four walls of his church.
In terms of what Brian said, I imagine it has been taken out of context.
He talks about gay power and how the gay community is well organized. Well he is not wrong is he? In fact the LGBTI community should take it as a compliment ...
He then talks about the fire being taken out of the churches. Well I don't think that is incorrect either.
He talks about being shocked by Ireland's decision to legalize gay marriage. Frankly I would not have thought the Catholic stronghold would have supported that by popular vote either!
He said, "The perversion of homosexuality is leading the charge". Yes well I disagree with his choice of words completely but is he actually not wrong. Gays do run the world, next to Beyonce!
"Churches are powerless. You go there and you talk about that now and you'd be driven out of town," he stated.
That is their problem anyway...
The Tamakis have both embraced my former relationship partners in the past, and my gay friends who at first were sceptical but came out absolutely loving them both.
I broke up with one of my partners and Hannah was the first person to make sure I was ok.
Never once have I ever felt judged, devalued or degraded for who I choose to be in a relationship with and who I take to the bedroom to light the fireworks.
When I wanted to go pig hunting, Brian Tamaki took me out to no man's land with the boys for three days, to teach me how the sport is done.
A real man's man thing, running around the country side with rifles in a sport which was exhilarating and physically intensive with half a dozen other straight men for three days.
Not once did I ever feel disconnected or frowned upon.
I stand in my own confidence, my own self-assurance and my own certainty of whom I am with, and he respects me for that.
People say I must be using them, or them me. Or we must both be using each other.
It's as if people think we fly around in helicopters, stay in five star hotels and only ever fly business class across the ditch. It's far from the reality of lunch at the Manukau food court and if we feel like really living it up then popping into Denny's!
Those who think I might be educating them about having a softer touch, or coming to understand the LGBTI community better, or think Hannah holds me down as Brian performs an exorcism to pray away the gay out of me - it's all absurd. We don't do anything of the sort, because that is not what friends do.
Only once has Hannah ever said quietly that I would make a woman very happy if I wanted to. Let's face it she's hardly wrong in making that statement.
I worked for the MANA Movement and Hone Harawira for four years. I loved the members (bar a few) and enjoyed a good relationship with Hone Harawira and Hilda Halkyard-Harawira. Did I agree with everything that they stood for? Not at all, yes feed the poor, breakfast in schools and all those other social issues, but if you dig deeper into their policies and philosophies there was very little I got passionate about. That did not mean I did not have a great working and personal relationship with them.
If I get married, I will be inviting the Tamakis to the ceremony. Hell, I might even ask them to marry me, and if they say "no way", well what do I care? That's their view and I'll respect it, just the same way they will have to respect sitting there as I kiss the groom. Unfortunately this does not look to be happening anytime soon ...
If certain members of the gay community and feminist journalists spent more time focusing on issues affecting communities rather than their own, think of the difference they could make.
They might even be able to help as many people in the community as Destiny Church has out in South Auckland.
I sit here and write this understanding and aware there are people who disagree with the way in which the Tamakis operate and the things they say. Even as I write this I look up at Georgina Beyer sitting across the living room from me after I popped around for my usual Sunday cup of coffee, seething.
Nevertheless, I do not apologise for my friendships.
And anyway, at the opening of Destiny Church, Brian clearly said I would be going to heaven, so whatever happens, I'm good!