from Religion Media Centre
The National Secular Society has reported Marlow Baptist Church to the Charity Commission over a sermon given by Pastor Kenneth Claassen in 2021 when homosexuality was described as a perversion and accepting homosexuality was a normalisation of sin.
Bucks Free Press reports that the NSS made the complaint on 18 August, two months after the church registered as a charity.
The report quotes the Charity Commission spokeswoman saying that it is “assessing the issues to determine what, if any, role there is for us as regulator”.
The NSS says the comments show the church is not acting in the public benefit.
Pastor Claassen is quoted saying the church has fulfilled all its objectives as a charity: “In terms of public benefit, our inclusive welcome is lauded in our community by the countless people who have been helped through our provision of space for various community groups, community activities for all stages of life and pastoral care for our congregation and community. We welcome all people to join us but like all Bible-believing churches, Marlow Baptist Church teaches the historic Christian position on gender and sexuality which churches have believed for 2,000 years”.
Report is here