‘It’s a sin’ - pilgrim’s progress from prejudice to Pride

Symon Hill is walking from Birmingham to London on a journey recalling those taken by Christians throughout history to atone for their sins.

Speaking at churches and praying as he walks, he attended a service at St Mark’s church in Leamington last week and will take part in the Pride Parade in London on Saturday July 2.

Mr Hill, 34, has been a Christian since his teens but now regrets the homophobic stance he once took.

He said: “Originally being a Christian was very liberating and very empowering but I got sucked into a form of Christianity that was very legalisitic and prejudiced, campaigning against the ordination of gay ministers.”

Eventually coming to deny his own feelings, he said he hurt friends by simply going along with some churches’ teachings, until doubts arose.

He said: “I started to get concerned that some Christians were putting so much effort into campaigning against homosexuality that they weren’t campaigning about issues such as war or protecting the environment.”

Now a director of Christian think tank Ekklesia, he campaigns against the arms trade and describes himself as a radical Christian.

Inviting those who disagree with him to his talks, he says one subject he hopes to discuss is how to embrace acceptance of homosexuality without an ‘anything goes’ agenda.

He added: “There are a few verses in the Bible that appear to condemn homosexuality, mostly in the context of prostitution or adultery, but there are hundreds of condemnations of those who resort to violence and profit from others’ misfortune.

“The New Testament’s emphasis is on living by the spirit of love.”