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Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009 |
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Changing Attitude writes letters to Anglican bishops
Colin Coward reports on Facebook: " Changing Attitude has launched a letter writing campaign to bishops whose dioceses are linked with Uganda where proposed legislation would impose the death penalty or life imprisonment on homosexuals. Thanks to Jeremy Pemberton who initiated the campaign and undertook the research."
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| Dear Other Sheep Friend,
Ugandan Bill: Death Penalty or Life Imprisonment for Homosexuals
Uganda is largely evangelical. Uganda's hateful stance against homosexuals is very Bible based, so they think. Therefore, evangelicals worldwide cannot look on and watch the Parliament of Uganda enact laws against homosexuals that are, as this bill is, criminal, without speaking out. The evangelicals of Africa and from outside of Africa must address their fellow Christians of Uganda and tell them they must, in the name of God, stop this inhumane bill from becoming law.
The AEA, with the endorsement of Warren, Stott and Carew, published a feature article on " Homosexuality" in the Africa Bible Commentary (2006) that in word and in spirit can be taken as an endorsement of this Anti-Homosexuality Bill of Uganda. AEA must clarify that its publication (in partnership with Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michicgan, USA) does not in any way indicate agreement with what is happening in the Parliament of Uganda at this time.
This past week I received an email from an Associate Member of the AEA. The person's email was in response to the recent Other Sheep eNews on the Ugandan bill. This AEA Associate Member wrote that he/she agrees with the Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009 because it is "in obedience to the Word of God." What is, therefore, the position of the AEA on this bill? Obviously this individual was speaking for him/herself and not necessarily expressing what is the general viewpoint of the members of the Executive Board of the AEA. Nonetheless, this individual's email is alarming. Does it express the viewpoint of evangelicals throughout Africa, especially evangelicals in leadership like this individual? If it does, evangelicals in Africa are on a witch hunt and more responsible evangelicals, both from within and outside of Africa, need to speak out now.
Take action now by writing evangelical leaders in Africa and worldwide. Sample letters and contact information follow below.
Rev. Stephen R. Parelli
Other Sheep Executive Director
MCC Clergy
Bronx, New York |
Sample Letter to the Association of Evangelicals in Africa
The block following the Sample Letter contains the email addresses you need to contact the Association of Evangelicals in Africa.
This Sample Letter borrows from the Sample Letter provided by ILGHRC.
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| Sample Letter to the Association of Evangelicals in Africa
I am writing you because I am greatly distressed about proposed legislation in Uganda which if passed could lead to the systematic elimination of a certain segment of society. Already, citizens have left Uganda out of fear for their safety. I am writing about the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009 that would, by use of the death penalty and imprisonment, effectively purge Uganda of LGBT people (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender) and any who would speak out on their behalf.
I am concerned that evangelicals in Africa may be turning a deaf ear towards the Parliament of Uganda at this time.
In 2006, the ABC Editorial Board of the Association of Evangelicals in Africa (AEA) published the Africa Bible Commentary which features Nigerian religious leader Yusufu Turaki's hateful and intolerant article entitled "Homosexuality" (page 1355).
My question to you as the representative voice of evangelicals in Africa: Does it follow, in view of Turaki's article, that the Association of Evangelicals in Africa (AEA) endorses the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009? Turaki's article contains the following anti-homosexual remarks:
(a) Turaki's use of the words "abnormal, unnatural and a perversion" in reference to homosexuals; (b) his uncritical use of the quote that "homosexuals are worse than beasts" tied in with (c) his uncritical statement of the African Anglican church's rejection of Archbishop Tutu's call for tolerance, as well as (d) his one-sided account of African "coercive sexual relationships" as his example of "varied" African same-sex sex; (e) an uncritical censorship of all views of homosexuality that are not in keeping with his views ("Our views of homosexuality should not be derived from human sources but from the Word of God"), and (f) his expressed theological view that to be homosexual is sinful (a view not held by evangelicals in the West).
Turaki's article effectively dismisses the church from its responsibility to speak out against the violence in Africa against LGBT people (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender). His article could be used by African evangelicals at this time as an argument for the endorsement of the Ugandan bill.
The Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009 would criminalize anyone who "aids, abets, counsels or procures another to engage in acts of homosexuality," as well as anyone who engages in the "promotion of homosexuality," including broadcasting, publishing, the marketing materials on homosexuality, and the funding and sponsoring of LGBT organizations. In addition, an authority must, under this legislation, turn in his colleagues, family, or friends who engage in the "promotion of homosexuality" or face criminal charges for failing to do so.
It is conceivable, for example, that any pastor who would teach - or even dialogue open mindedly - that the Bible does not condemn same-sex loving relationships between consenting adults, would be guilty of promoting homosexuality, and therefore a criminal. A Bible scholar in Uganda would not be at liberty to openly question what the Bible does or does not say about homosexuality. Any person of authority who would fail to report such a scholar or open-minded pastor within 24 hours would be subject to a significant fine and up to 3 years in prison.
Anybody who keeps a house or room for the purpose of homosexuality is subject to imprisonment. No one's private dwelling is safe.
The Anti-Homosexuality Bill directly violates many of the basic human rights guaranteed in the Ugandan Constitution. It also violates the African Charter on Human and People's Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and other international human rights treaties to which Uganda is a party.
The bill effectively creates a climate of fear and hostility. It will lend itself to misapplication and abuse, and implicitly encourages persecution of LGBT people by private actors. Effective HIV prevention activities in Uganda, which rely on an ability to talk frankly about sexuality and provide condoms and other safer-sex materials, will be difficult, if not impossible.
I am aware that, for the most part, evangelicals worldwide view same-sex sex between consenting adults as immoral. Nonetheless, I cannot believe that evangelicals can stand silently by and watch the Parliament of Uganda vote this inhumane bill into law, especially since evangelicals are so vehemently vocal on the issue of homosexuality.
Therefore, I am asking you to demonstrate that Yusufu Turaki's inflexible and dogmatic article on "Homosexuality" is not to be misused by any evangelicals in Africa as an argument for the endorsement of the inhumane Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009 by your swift denouncement of this bill. I urge you to openly denounce this bill.
Sincerely,
Name:
Religious Organization or Affiliation:
Country:
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Association of Evangelicals in Africa
Contact Information
Ethics, Peace, and Justice Commission of the AEA holds the portfolio of educating the Church on matters of ethics, peace, and social justice.
Rev Ndaba Mazabane President
P.O. Box 1045 Hillcrest 3650 Kwazulu, Natal South Africa T: +27 31 716 3300 F: +27 31 716 3333 E-mail: nmazabane@yahoo.co.uk Pasteur Freeman Kompaore Vice President
01 B.P. 108 Ouagadougou 01 Burkina Faso T: +226 50 36 14 26 (O) +226 50 38 62 67 (Res.) Fax: +226 50 36 34 66 Cell Phone: +226 70 21 45 35 Email: feme@fasonet.bf
Rev Mario Li-Hing Chairman & Islands Regional President39B Royal Road Eau Coul�e Mauritius TF: +230 674 0155 Cell Phone: +230 251 2540 Email: sumtius@intnet.mu
Bishop Arthur Kitonga Vice Chairman & Eastern Regional President
P.O. Box 51226 Nairobi Kenya T: +254 2 6761138/6765986/6764 993 Email: rgc@redeemedgospel.com Justice (Mrs.) Esme Chombo High Court of Malawi P.O. Box 15 Lilongwe Malawi T: +265 1 711066/707017/857501 Email: chombojustice@yahoo.com
Mr. Mugo wa Karanja TreasurerP.O. Box 76533 Nairobi, Kenya Cell Phone: +254 20- 2723312 or cell. 0722 753 167 Email: rmugo@cyberkenya.comMr. David Mwaure Legal AdviserP.O. Box 75642 Nairobi, Kenya T: +254 2 271 4509 / 10 / 24 F: +254 2 271 3922 Email: mmw@todays.co.ke Rev Moses B Khanu West Africa Regional PresidentP.O. Box 948 Freetown, Sierra Leone T: +232 22 226 854 TF: +232 22 228 670 Email: moseskhanu@yahoo.co.uk
Rev. Zecharias Abraham North East Regional PresidentP.O. Box 2809 Asmara, Eritrea Phone: +291 1 126859 Phone/Fax: +291 1 126237 Email: myepc@gemel.com.erBishop Harrison Sakala Southern Regional PresidentP.O. Box 31002 Lusaka 10101 Zambia T: +260 1 256 073 Fax: +260 1 292 489 Cell Phone: +260 977 88234 Email: evafeza@zamnet.zm Pasteur Wally Sarr North West Regional President
B.P. 2961 Dakar S�n�gal T: +221 21 825 3961 / 827 3379 Email: fes@sentoo.sn
Rev. Dr. Mrs. Judy Mbugua AEA Team Leader
P.O. Box 49332 Nairobi, Kenya T: + 254 2 / 2714 432 / 272 2769 Fax: + 254 2 / 2713 004 Email: pacwa@aeafrica.org
Mr. Solomon Gacece AEA Deputy Team Leader P. O. Box 49332 Nairobi, Kenya Tel. +254 2 /2722769/2714432 Fax. +254 2 /2713004 Email: solgacece@aeafrica.org |
Sample Letter to Rick Warren, John R. W. Stott, and Douglas Carew who endorsed the hateful "Homosexual" article in Africa Bible Commentary
Click here to download the Sample Letter or see below for the Sample Letter
The block following the Sample Letter contains the email addresses of Rick Warren, John Stott, and Douglas Carew.
This Sample Letter borrows from the Sample Letter provided by ILGHRC.
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| Sample Letter to Rick Warren, John Stott and Douglas Carew
I am writing you because I am greatly distressed about proposed legislation in Uganda which if passed could lead to the systematic elimination of a certain segment of society. Already, citizens have left Uganda out of fear for their safety. I am writing about the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009 that would, by use of the death penalty and imprisonment, effectively purge Uganda of LGBT people (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender) and any who would speak out on their behalf.
I am concerned that evangelicals in Africa may be turning a deaf ear towards the Parliament of Uganda at this time.
In 2006, the ABC Editorial Board of the Association of Evangelicals in Africa (AEA) published the Africa Bible Commentary which features Nigerian religious leader Yusufu Turaki's hateful and intolerant article entitled "Homosexuality" (page 1355).
My question to you as someone who endorsed the Africa Bible Commentary (back cover of the Zondervan publication): Does it follow, in view of Turaki's article, that you endorse the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009? Turaki's article contains the following anti-homosexual remarks:
(a) Turaki's use of the words "abnormal, unnatural and a perversion" in reference to homosexuals; (b) his uncritical use of the quote that "homosexuals are worse than beasts" tied in with (c) his uncritical statement of the African Anglican church's rejection of Archbishop Tutu's call for tolerance, as well as (d) his one-sided account of African "coercive sexual relationships" as his example of "varied" African same-sex sex; (e) an uncritical censorship of all views of homosexuality that are not in keeping with his views ("Our views of homosexuality should not be derived from human sources but from the Word of God"), and (f) his expressed theological view that to be homosexual is sinful (a view not held by evangelicals in the West).
Turaki's article effectively dismisses the church from its responsibility to speak out against the violence in Africa against LGBT people (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender). His article could be used by African evangelicals at this time as an argument for the endorsement of the Ugandan bill.
The Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009 would criminalize anyone who "aids, abets, counsels or procures another to engage in acts of homosexuality," as well as anyone who engages in the "promotion of homosexuality," including broadcasting, publishing, the marketing materials on homosexuality, and the funding and sponsoring of LGBT organizations. In addition, an authority must, under this legislation, turn in his colleagues, family, or friends who engage in the "promotion of homosexuality" or face criminal charges for failing to do so.
It is conceivable, for example, that any pastor who would teach - or even dialogue open mindedly - that the Bible does not condemn same-sex loving relationships between consenting adults, would be guilty of promoting homosexuality, and therefore a criminal. A Bible scholar in Uganda would not be at liberty to openly question what the Bible does or does not say about homosexuality. Any person of authority who would fail to report such a scholar or open-minded pastor within 24 hours would be subject to a significant fine and up to 3 years in prison.
Anybody who keeps a house or room for the purpose of homosexuality is subject to imprisonment. No one's private dwelling is safe.
The Anti-Homosexuality Bill directly violates many of the basic human rights guaranteed in the Ugandan Constitution. It also violates the African Charter on Human and People's Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and other international human rights treaties to which Uganda is a party.
The bill effectively creates a climate of fear and hostility. It will lend itself to misapplication and abuse, and implicitly encourages persecution of LGBT people by private actors. Effective HIV prevention activities in Uganda, which rely on an ability to talk frankly about sexuality and provide condoms and other safer-sex materials, will be difficult, if not impossible.
I am aware that, for the most part, evangelicals worldwide view same-sex sex between consenting adults as immoral. Nonetheless, I cannot believe that evangelicals can stand silently by and watch the Parliament of Uganda vote this inhumane bill into law, especially since evangelicals are so vehemently vocal on the issue of homosexuality.
Therefore, I am asking you to demonstrate that Yusufu Turaki's inflexible and dogmatic article on "Homosexuality" is not to be misused by any evangelicals in Africa as an argument for the endorsement of the inhumane Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009 by your swift denouncement of this bill. I urge you to openly denounce this bill.
Sincerely,
Name:
Religious Organization of Affiliation:
Country:
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Rick Warren, John Stott and Douglas Carew
Contact Information
Saddleback Church
1 Saddleback Parkway
Lake Forest, CA 92630-8700
Phone: 949 609-8080
Fax: 949 609-8002
Author, The Purpose Driven Life
Rector Emeritus of All Souls Church
Langham Place in London, England
Mail to:
Dr. John R. W. Stott
c/o Zondervan
ATTN: Author Care
5300 Patterson SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49530
Vice Chancellor
Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology (N.E.G.S.T.)
PO Box 24686
Karen 00502
Nairobi, Kenya
Phone: +254 020 3002415
+254 020 3002416
+254 020 3002417
Fax: +254 002 882906
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Other Sheep is a multi-cultural, ecumenical Christian ministry that works worldwide for the full inclusion of LGBT people of faith within their respective faith traditions.
"...connecting people with people and people with resources..." |
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Other Sheep Action Alert, October 19, 2009
