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I didn't realize Nigeria already has the death penalty for homosexuals, although I knew Uganda is seriously considering it, and other African nations could follow suit. Horrible stories are emerging from the continent.
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The Ugandan legislation in its current form would mandate a death sentence for active homosexuals living with HIV or in cases of same-sex rape. "Serial offenders" also could face capital punishment, but the legislation does not define the term. Anyone convicted of a homosexual act faces life imprisonment.
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Anyone who "aids, abets, counsels or procures another to engage of acts of homosexuality" faces seven years in prison if convicted. Landlords who rent rooms or homes to homosexuals also could get seven years and anyone with "religious, political, economic or social authority" who fails to report anyone violating the act faces three years. - Source
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Such legislation is inhumane and intolerable, and it signals that these issues have gotten way out of hand - on every side - politically and religious. On one hand we have gay activists using religion to force changes in doctrine, theology, faith and morals, while decrying traditional teaching, pushing for same sex marriage and educating children in schools through "safe schools programs" and so on. On the other hand there are gay activists who actively promote hatred of religion and laws which deny same sex couples the right to adopt or marry, and in some cases, practice public sex. When such trends impinge upon foreign societies and culture - such as those in African and Islamic nations - the backlash will often be repressive in the extreme, and often violent.
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Push comes to shove.
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I am completely against this type of legislation and punishment - as well as any type of violence against homosexual persons - and so is the Catholic Church. As stated in the letter, On the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, headed at the time by Cardinal Ratzinger:
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10. It is deplorable that homosexual persons have been and are the object of violent malice in speech or in action. Such treatment deserves condemnation from the Church's pastors wherever it occurs. It reveals a kind of disregard for others which endangers the most fundamental principles of a healthy society. The intrinsic dignity of each person must always be respected in word, in action and in law.
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But the proper reaction to crimes committed against homosexual persons should not be to claim that the homosexual condition is not disordered. When such a claim is made and when homosexual activity is consequently condoned, or when civil legislation is introduced to protect behavior to which no one has any conceivable right, neither the Church nor society at large should be surprised when other distorted notions and practices gain ground, and irrational and violent reactions increase. - Letter to Bishops
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The cultural assault on Africa seems to be very real, as expressed by the concern voiced by African Bishops during their Rome Synod in October of this year:
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"One of the major themes of the Synod has been the denunciation of Western anti-life and anti-family programs as a new form of colonialism and "cultural imperialism" from the West, which is trying to impose a set of alien values onto African society." - Archbishop Sarah, Source
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In no way were the African Bishops suggesting, approving, much less promoting capital punishment for persons who engage in or promote homosexual activity, nevertheless they did note the cultural and spiritual threat it poses, especially by foreigners. I suspect the Bishops might have predicted the reactionary legislation as proposed in Uganda as an inevitable outcome.
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Links:
Out of Africa
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Why is the West so hypocritical? Why the duplicity and the applying of double standards?
ReplyDeleteThey accept and support homosexuality which they Westerners find normal. They find normal even same sex ‘marriages’. You accept a man or a woman to have as many partners as he or she wants; eighty year old men can keep several mistresses in their mansions as ‘playmates’ – the West doesn’t find any thing wrong with that even if the mistresses are old enough to be the man’s grand-daughters.
But, they come down hard and are very harsh on polygamy. A man who gets married to more than one woman, even if the women are consenting is sent to jail; how can we forget the extreme harshness that was used on the Utah polygamists!
Polygamy is normal in Africa but we have never tried to force it on Europeans or Americans. Homosexuality is alien and repugnant to us, don’t try to force it on us.
Omar, you cannot lump all "westerners" together.I do not think of homosexuality as normal, nor do I condone adultery, polygamy, abortion, or murder. We as a nation are not "forcing" homosexuality on your nation; there are very powerful homosexual lobbyists who are promoting their own agenda, and it is unfair of you to believe that they have the support of the common people. Do your research before you sling mud.
ReplyDeleteOmar, thanks for your comments which help us understand how this country is perceived by other peoples.
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As Shirley stated, the ordinary American does not support or condone the provocative issues you point out.
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As Christians we do not accept polygamy. I'm not that familiar with the Utah case - but I recall concerns that children were forced into arranged marriages with older men against their will? Polygamy and child rape is prohibited by law in this country. Although there are people who would like to see these laws overturned as well.
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God bless, and please do not think all Americans are like whaty you see in media. I appreciate your perspective on Hugh Hefner:
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"You accept a man or a woman to have as many partners as he or she wants; eighty year old men can keep several mistresses in their mansions as ‘playmates’ – the West doesn’t find any thing wrong with that even if the mistresses are old enough to be the man’s grand-daughters."
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Our country is morally corrupt - to be sure. Many, many ordinary Americans work and pray for the conversion of our nation.
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Peace.
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Terry
Excellent post and comments. Omar, peace be with you.
ReplyDeleteInteresting comments. The death penalty for homosexuality must be condemned by all peoples everywhere in the world. It cannot be tolerated by anyone today. I agree that there are major cultural differences between some African countries and the West, and it can be argued that the West should not be imposing it's views on African countries. On the otherhand, it is Uganda (among other countries) which has relied on the dubious pseudo-science of westerners, like Richard A Cohen, to impose this insane judgement. (see MSNBC if you want to pursue this connection...)
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