Coronavirus related...but typical NI politics LOL
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/...ntroduction-in-northern-ireland-39096782.html
A DUP councillor has said the coronavirus outbreak is God's punishment for the introduction of same-sex marriage and abortion law reform in Northern Ireland.
The DUP distanced itself from the comments, telling the BBC Stephen Nolan show Ballymena councillor John Carson was expressing a personal opinion and not that of the party.
"This is a global pandemic and our focus is on protecting lives in Northern Ireland," the party said.
Mr Carson told the BBC he stood by his comments but refused to discuss the matter on the airwaves. He has also not returned calls from the Belfast Telegraph.
Taking to Facebook to comment on abortion becoming available in Northern Ireland, he wrote: "I said when abortion was legalised that our nation would be judged by GOD because of its departure from his word and the legalisation of the murder of the unborn child as well as same sex marriage.
"I was laughed at and mocked by some but as l said at the time they laughed at NOAH until the rain started.
"You reap what you sow and our nation is now reaping the judgement of GOD because of an immoral and corrupt government.
"It is time to repent and turn again to the GOD of our Fathers."
The public post was 'liked' by scores of people, among them the DUP MLA Trevor Clarke.
He told the Belfast Telegraph he interacted with the public post from his private account, which he admitted he does use for political comment.
He said he would not be commenting on the matter saying it was a personal matter. Pressed on what his view was on the matter he added: "I am not getting into a brickbat with the media on this."
Responding to criticism under the post, Councillor Carson said he was entitled to an opinion.
He added: "They laughed and mocked my Saviour too, but some day soon their laughs will turn to screams."
SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole responded:
"Very patient of God to wait for Northern Ireland - virtually the last part of the western world to get either equal marriage and abortion rights - before sending judgment."
Same-sex marriage was legalised in Northern Ireland at the beginning of the year. It was introduced when MPs voted through an amendment to a Northern Ireland bill in parliament forcing the government to legislate in the absence of power sharing.
And abortion was decriminalised in Northern Ireland last October in a similar manner. New laws allowing terminations in all circumstances in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy came into force this week.
Before the change abortion was only allowed if a woman's life was at risk or there was a danger of permanent and serious damage to her physical or mental health.
Nearly a million people around the world have contracted coronavirus, according to a tally from Johns Hopkins University, and more than 47,000 people have died as a result of the outbreak.
The real figures are believed to be much higher because of testing shortages, differences in counting the dead and large numbers of mild cases that have gone unreported.
Previously the DUP Ballymena councillor Maurice Mills said the devastation brought by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans in 2005 was God's punishment of the city's gay community. Katrina killed over 1,300 people.
He refused to apologise for the offence caused.
In 2015 he was made a Member of the British Empire in the Queen's New Year Honours list for services to local government. At that time he told the Belfast Telegraph he stood by the comments.
The DUP has been approached for further comment.
