Hypocricy South African Dutch Reform Church Style

The Dutch reformed Church in Moreleta Park wanted their gay music teacher to "free himself" from his "sin" - either by changing his ways or living a celibate life without impure thoughts about men.

The 31-year-old Johan Strydom, who now lives in Jeffrey's Bay, said he did not have to repent for being gay, as that was the way God had made him and he was comfortable with his sexuality.

The Pretoria high court this week was the forum for (sometimes heated) debate regarding the Dutch Reformed Church's stance on gays, during which Bible verses were quoted freely.

This followed a damages claim instituted by Strydom against the congregation in Moreleta Park in the east of Pretoria.

He is claiming about R150 000 in damages for "the impairment of his dignity" when the church gave him the boot for being gay, as well as a further R50 000 for loss of income.

In January 2005, Strydom, whose sexual orientation is not immediately apparent, entered into an oral agreement with the church in terms of which he was going to give music lessons to young students at the congregation's music academy.

Strydom worked happily for a couple of months and was described by his supervisor, Janie de Bruin, as a being a first class music teacher.

But in July of that year, word reached the church via an "anonymous call" that Strydom was in a homosexual relationship.

The council of the congregation demanded to speak to him about his sexuality, but Strydom refused. He maintained that it was a matter between him and God and that it had nothing to do with his work. He said he was not even a member of the Moreleta Park congregation, but merely in their employ.

Strydom claimed he was never questioned during his job interview about his sexual orientation. He was only asked whether he was a Christian, which he acknowledged, and asked about his musical skills. Strydom said it could not be expected of him to volunteer details of his sexuality during a job interview when heterosexual people were not required to do this.

He said he had known he was "different" since he was a child, as he preferred looking at the pictures of male models. "This is what I am. I cannot change it. I have peace in my heart about who I am. This is not about the church, it is about my relationship with God."

Strydom has been in a relationship with the same partner for the past eight years.

But Ds Dirkie van der Spuy, one of the congregation's ministers, this week told Judge Dion Basson that Strydom knew how they felt on the gay issue and that it had been Strydom's duty to divulge the fact that he was a homosexual.
Van der Spuy was adamant that they did not merely want to give him the boot, but that they wanted to "walk the path of love" with him and through therapy and other means to convince him that his ways are wrong.

He said all people were sinners but that God was forgiving.

If Strydom repented, he could get a second chance in God's eyes, he said. Van der Spuy said it was the same as when a patient went to a doctor. The doctor was obliged to inform the patient about the condition of his health, and to treat him.

Van der Spuy said the church would be acting without love if it did not warn a person that he was on the wrong path and was heading downhill.

"It is an act of love to reach out to such a person. God in fact loves sinners but he speaks to them through the Bible to realise their wrongs."

Van der Spuy said no outside opinions mattered, as God had clearly pronounced on the subject of gayness in the Bible.

He was confronted with the fact that the Dutch Reformed Church had at one time justified apartheid, but had changed its stance in this regard and asked for forgiveness.

Van der Spuy said this may be so, but apartheid was not mentioned in the Bible, while homosexuality was clearly pronounced on.

Counsel for Strydom, Ronel Tolmay SC, at length referred to the issue of divorce, which is condemned in the Bible. She cited Matthew 19:9 and Mark 10:11 in this regard. "Now, dominee, according to this, people are not allowed to get a divorce, and if they do, they may not re-marry, as they will then be adulterous.

"Yet your church accepts people who do this, but condemns gays" Tolmay said.

Van der Spuy said the difference was that people who realised they were on the wrong path and sought forgiveness, were given another chance. "God said there is forgiveness and mercy for every divorcee and homosexual who repents," he said. Tolmay accused the congregation of having double standards.

Final arguments will be heard on Wednesday.