The UK government’s leave program has been condemned as “reckless and irresponsible” for handing over tens of thousands of pounds to “homophobic” churches.

An open democracy investigation found that dozens of religious organizations with a history of anti-gay preaching were financially supported by the government during the COVID pandemic.

They include churches that have called homosexuality “disgusting” and “demonic,” as well as the Jesus House group, which was recently established. accused of a “Conversation Therapy Support Story”.

Leading human rights activist Peter Tatchell has condemned holiday pay, describing it as “the de facto state endorsement of homophobic institutions”.

One church that has benefited from the leave program is the Redeemed Christian Church of God, a Pentecostal mega-church founded in Nigeria, which operates a large network of organizations across the UK.

The ministry is led by Nigeria-based Pastor Enoch Adeboye, who has called “evil” homosexuality and said that same-sex marriage could bring the end of human civilization. The Sunday school material released by the ministry also taught before that “homosexuality is a sin” which “must be put to the cross and repent of”.

Adeboye also suggested that no matter how many vaccines against the coronavirus, the pandemic will continue “until the highs and the mighty admit that safety belongs to the Lord.”

One of the ministry’s churches in London, Jesus House, was put in the spotlight last month after being visited by Labor leader Keir Starmer. He later apologized, saying, “I completely disagree with Jesus House’s beliefs on LGBT + rights.”

In 2009, Jesus House was accused to practice “exorcisms” on homosexuals, while the pastor of the church has already campaigned against LGBT equality legislation, designed to make discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation illegal.

The church has since claims it “does not advocate exorcism for people attracted to the same sex”.