Sir, - I am deeply disturbed and dismayed to find a Church of Ireland clergyman advocating the Biblical fundamentalism on which Rev Gordon Fyles bases his undiscerning rejection of all forms of homosexual behaviour (Rite and Reason, April 7th).
Anglicanism sees itself as grounded in scripture, tradition, and reason. As a member of the Church of Ireland, I had therefore hoped to see an article offering balanced analysis and considered argument. Instead, Rev Fyles merely offers a series of Biblical quotations which he insists constitute the only form of truth: entire, final, and unequivocal. This type of fundamentalism is not merely distasteful on account of its facile and simplistic attitude to the real complexities of human need and morality. It is much more pernicious than that. It is the same Biblical fundamentalism that has been used to justify slavery, anti-Semitism, racism and various forms of misogyny. For this reason, it must be insisted that the premise implied in the title of Rev Fyles's article - "Bible's teaching is key issue on homosexuality" - is deeply flawed. The Christian life cannot be one of blind obedience to unexamined precepts, divorced from circumstances of time and place and immune to any interpretative effort. Unless it is informed by reason, intellect, charity, and faith, there is no benefit to be had from mere Bible-reading.
Rev Fyles's article does nothing to encourage Christians to enquire as to the purpose of their lives or their place in the world; nor does it promote a desire for self-understanding and self-knowledge, or possible avenues to fulfilment, happiness, and peace of mind. As an exercise in pastoral care it is therefore meaningless. Should any of your readers be inclined to pay the least bit of attention to his notions, I should like to refer them to the very extensive body of theological and pastoral opinion that is diametrically opposed to both the overall thrust and the details of his article. This is available both in print and on the Internet, and much of it merits consideration. - Yours, etc., Wynzen de Vries,
Sandymount,
Dublin 4.