Free speech campaigners warn Dr Aaron Edwards’ dismissal for allegedly bringing Methodist college ‘into disrepute’ sets a ‘dark precedent’
Dr Aaron Edwards insists that his post on Twitter was not ‘homophobic’
A Christian theology lecturer has been sacked and claims he was threatened with a counter-terrorism referral by a college after tweeting that “homosexuality is invading the church”.
Dr Aaron Edwards, 37, a father of five, was dismissed last week for misconduct by Cliff College, a Methodist college in Derbyshire, after he allegedly brought the college “into disrepute” on social media, The Telegraph has learnt.
The lecturer was told by the college that he could be reported to Prevent, the Government’s counter-extremism programme, and asked how he would pray for same-sex attracted students who approach him for prayer, according to minutes from the college’s disciplinary hearing.
On Feb 19, Dr Edwards posted on Twitter:
Homosexuality is invading the Church.
Evangelicals no longer see the severity of this b/c they're busy apologising for their apparently barbaric homophobia, whether or not it's true.
This *is* a "Gospel issue", by the way. If sin is no longer sin, we no longer need a Saviour.
Dr Edwards insists – and clarified in subsequent tweets – that the post was not “homophobic” and that it was addressed to evangelicals who agree with his message but feel they cannot say so for fear of backlash.
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