The first and only openly gay pastor in Malaysia said Thursday he will move forward with plans to open the country's first gay-friendly church despite government opposition.
The Rev. Ouyang Wen Feng, an ethic Chinese Malaysian ordained in the United States in May, has called on mainstream churches to not discriminate against homosexuals.
"We are going to set up a church just like any other one but the only difference is that we affirm and welcome those who openly declare themselves gays, lesbians or homosexuals," Ouyang told Agence France-Presse.
"We will follow all the rules by applying all the proper licenses. We already have a church of such stature in Singapore and I do not see why we cannot set up one here," he added.
On Aug. 12, the openly gay pastor led a Sunday service attended by nearly 80 congregants - mostly homosexuals - who hugged and sang hymns and lyrics such as, "With justice as our aim, a queer and righteous people united in Christ's name," according to AP.
Ouyang said he has received a flood of hate mails regarding his plans.
Furthermore, the pastor's intention to open a homosexual-oriented church is opposed by not only Christians but also Muslims in a country where 60 percent are followers of Islam.
"It is the deviant sexual behaviour we do not condone," commented the Rev. Wong Kin Kong, secretary general of Malaysia's National Evangelical Christian Fellowship, according to the Malaysia Star. "We cannot stop him wanting to set up such a kind of church, but the evangelical churches will inform followers of our stand and advise them not to follow this teaching."
