Temperance society rejects Åke Green for his views on homosexuality

[Gnist]

...

Background -

about Åke Green and his case

The title of the article below is misleading. Not only does it focus on a "temperance society crisis" that is well beyond deserved. Åke Green, who is falsely described as a "gay sermon preacher", is in fact known for repeatedly saying, in a public sermon, that homosexuality is a sin. He was taken to court for his views, and refused to change his mind. Green took the case all the way to Sweden's Supreme Court, where he was found not guilty in 2005.



Abbreviations of the article - translated from http://www.iogt.se

IOGT, formerly Independent Order of Good Templars, now known as International Organisation of Good Templars. Ritual work was toned down in the shift from "order" to "organisation".

NTO. The exact meaning is not shown, but it appears to be something like "National Temple Order". NTO came into existence when NGTO (Nationalgodtemplarorden or "National Order of Good Templars") and TO (Templarorden or "Order of Templars") were fused in 1922.

Hence the name of the organisation in Sweden is IOGT-NTO.

/Gnist

'Gay sermon' preacher causes temperance society crisis

Published: 17 Feb 08 10:03 CET
Online: The Local - \'Gay sermon\' preacher causes temperance society crisis

The expulsion of controversial pentecostalist pastor Åke Green has caused a crisis at temperance society IOGT-NTO.

IOGT-NTO has lost 1,200 members since the January 29th decision to ban Åke Green. Green was banned for his outspoken views on homosexuals.

The temperance society's board called a crisis meeting with its district heads on Saturday to address the controversy. Christian website Dagen.se reported that the meeting was heated and there were calls to lift the ban on Green.

Many of the society's districts are concerned at the number of members that will eventually decide to leave the organisation and the resultant economic impact on their operations. Kalmar, Green's home district, and Jönköping, in the heart of Sweden's bible belt, are reported to be the hardest hit.

"Åke Green was acquitted by the Supreme Court in 2005 and suddenly we expel him. It is totally devastating for us to lose so many members," said Kalmar district chairperson Gunilla Nilsson to Dagen.se.

IOGT-NTO vice-chairman, Anna Carlstedt, underlined that the board stands behind its decision and explained that while the society supports the right to freedom of speech, Åke Green's continued media exposure and regular insulting attacks against homosexuals forced the society to take action.

"He maintains a far too high profile," Carlstedt said of the unrepentant pastor.

Peter Vinthagen Simpson (news@thelocal.se/+46 8 656 6518)