#GraceBibleChurch: Soweto church embroiled in homophobia row
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| Somizi Mhlongo posted his objections in a video on Instagram |
A South African church is trending on social media after a local celebrity said he walked out of a service because of a homophobic sermon.
Somizi Mhlongo said in a video posted on Instagram that a guest pastor at Grace Bible Church in Soweto had said being gay was "unnatural".
The TV and radio personality said he was deeply offended by the words.
Gay marriage is legal in South Africa and the pastor's reported comments have sparked debate about religious views.
Some have called on the church to denounce homophobia.
During the sermon, Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, who was visiting from Ghana, is reported to have said: "There is nothing like that [homosexuality] in nature."
Reacting to the comments, Mhlongo said: "The church was cheering. I am not going to sit there and listen to someone offend me. This is who I am. I am a gay man, get it straight into your skull. My soul is alright with my God."
The hashtag #GraceBibleChurch has been trending in South Africa, with some criticising the sermon and others defending it.
The church has since said that while it does not condone homophobia, these views are held by certain people not only in the church but in wider society.
"That was not the only thing that he was talking about. There are other people who are smokers who were offended because he also referred to a lot of lifestyle issues. And a lot of people who are having multiple partners were very offended," broadcaster ENCA quoted Reverend Ezekiel Mathole as saying.
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