Andrew Thorburn, Chair Of Anti-Gay Church, Named New CEO Of Essendon FC

starobserver.com.au:

Essendon is facing backlash from some fans over the appointment of Andrew Thorburn, the chairman of a conservative Christian church that preaches homosexuality is wrong and that abortion is “legal murder”, as the club’s new CEO. Trigger Warning: This story discusses homophobic comments, which might be distressing to some readers.

For 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For Australia-wide LGBTQI peer support call QLife on 1800 184 527 or webchat.Essendon President Dave Barham announced the appointment and described Thorburn as “a man of great integrity and exceptional vision.”On its website, the City on a Hill church claims that “practicing homosexuality is a sin, but same-sex attraction is not a sin”.

In a 2013 article, the church says “God has designed sex to be enjoyed within marriage between one man and one woman” and adds “a Christian who is same–sex attracted should not identify with being gay”.

The Church is much more strident in its views against abortion rights, equating it to Nazi “concentration camps”.A 2013 sermon about abortion says: “Whereas today we look back at sadness and disgust over concentration camps, future generations will look back with sadness at the legal murder of hundreds of thousands human beings every day through medicine and in the name of freedom.” A 2022 sermon reaffirms the church’s opposition to abortion, even in cases of rape.