Norwich Pride "lowering standards"?

From attitude magazine by Will Stroude:

Minister accuses Norwich Pride of ‘lowering standards’

A Norfolk minister has accused Norwich Pride of “lowering society’s standards”

Reverend Mark Taylor of Carleton Rode Baptist Church is one of several local religious leaders to criticise the event, Network Norwich reports. The parade is set to take place this Saturday (July 26).

Reverend Taylor said. 

I feel saddened when humans flout the laws of God. We all do it in many avenues of life and faith – the Bible calls it sin and it is sin Jesus came to deal with, and remove the separation it beings between God and Humanity.

By seeking to lower society’s standards, and even worse the standards of our faith, we see to make the unacceptable more palatable.

I do not think the homosexual lifestyle is compatible with Christian living, but let’s seek to rectify the problems of broken living rather than flaunt it in the streets.

Celebrations for the sixth annual Norwich Pride will take place throughout Saturday at The Forum, Millennium Plain – including a multimedia exhibition showcasing the work of Norfolk schools in tackling homophobia and transphobia in the classroom, as well as “story time” in the Millennium Children’s Library.

The Pride parade departs from Chapelfield Gardens at 2pm, while the event will also include an appearance from human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.

Reverend Philip Young, a Norwich Anglican minister and Quaker, was quick to defend the event, saying: 

I will yet again be supporting the colour and diversity of Norwich Pride, which I believe enriches the Norwich community – and its colourful presence and challenges the community here to be an inclusive and welcoming one.

Well done Norwich Pride and keep bringing colour to the streets of Norwich.

For more information on the event visit the Norwich Pride website.

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Reverend Taylor should take a look at the Norwich Pride website, which clearly explains that 

Norwich Pride is a celebration from the LGBT community for everyone. Our mission is to ensure that Norwich is a city where everyone can feel safe and proud to be themselves.

The festival is not for LGBT people alone, but rather an excuse for all of us to relax, be ourselves and celebrate life in all its diversity.

Not so much lowering standards but rather setting new standards of tolerance, acceptance and warm inclusion that the Reverend Taylor might well seek to emulate in his own life.