NSW Public Schools Accused Of Housing Homophobic Sermons On Campus

Sermons suggesting the punishment for homosexuality is the “death penalty” have been conducted in some New South Wales schools, SBS has found.

SBS managed to get a hold of recordings of sermons conducted by members of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches, which were delivered on public school grounds in NSW.

One pastor from the Lakes Christian Church, based inside the Berkeley Vale Campus in NSW’s Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College, spoke on the Bible’s book of Leviticus, reportedly saying that the “death penalty” is punishment for the “sin” of homosexuality.

“[If] it is not the death penalty, it’s being cut off from the people of God, which is still death, not just instant death and so God is serious about sexual purity,” the pastor reportedly continued.

"Even though books have been written and studies have been conducted to show that the gay lifestyle is not a happy one, people persist in the rejection of God. Let me encourage you that if you are in any doubt about how destructive that sexual sin is...have a look at the research and I can, I can point it out to you.”

Similar sermons have been reportedly delivered during weekly services in other NSW schools, including Lambton High School and Maitland Grossman High School.

The NSW Department of Education has told SBS that school facilities could not, under any circumstances, be used to spread homophobia.

"The Department of Education does not allow any group or church to use school grounds to preach homophobic messages," said a spokesperson.

However, a spokesperson for the Lakes Church insisted to SBS that he did not believe the sermon in question was homophobic.

"Views on sexual ethics differ in society," he said.

"Our beliefs are those of mainstream Christian churches around the world. We teach that Christ offers life and hope in a world which lacks both."

The NSW Department of Education’s policy states that “schools must not permit their facilities to be used for activities that interfere with student learning or which are considered by the principal to be inconsistent with the values of Public Education or the school’s purpose and goals.”

“This includes activities that… are likely to cause damage or disk to students.”

According to the Australian Human Rights Commission, almost half of all gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people hide their sexual orientation or gender identity in public, fearing violence and discrimination.

A 2013 study by BeyondBlue found that LGBTQI people have the highest rates of suicidality of any population in Australia, and that the rate of suicide attempts among same-sex attracted Australians is 14 times higher than heterosexual Aussies.

If you or anyone you know needs help, support is available right now. Call Lifeline on 131 114 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.

For more information on counselling and treatment plans you can contact your school’s health services as well as Reach Out.

Photo: iStock.