I read today that Uganda has decided to criminalize homosexuality, making it punishable by life in prison. Even those who counsel homosexuals or support them in any way are criminalized by the statute. The statements by Uganda's president are outright homophobic and bring ethnic cleansing and other atrocities to mind. To make matters even worse, Ugandan tabloids have started publishing the names of known or suspected homosexuals, encouraging violence against them.
Those of you that know me are aware that I do regard homosexuality as sinful. However, you also know that I advocate loving everyone and treating everyone fairly, which can be a difficult balance to maintain.
The Ugandan laws are actually pretty similar to Biblical Old Testament law, which called for he execution of those caught in homosexual acts, among many other things now considered legal (adultery, disobeying parents, ect). I don't want to turn this into a theological discussion, but I do want to make clear that my position is the same as Christ's when He was confronted with a woman caught in adultery. He did not allow her to be stoned. He did not condone her sin. He forgave her and empowered her to go and sin no more.
Uganda's message is one of condemnation, fear, and hatred. Nothing could be more antithetical to the message of love, acceptance, and hope that should be sent to the LGBT community. I just know that there are going to be some so-called Christian, holier-than-thou types out there celebrating this law as a good thing. We aren't all like that.
I really hope this law does not stand, and in the meantime I hope those victimized by it find relief and safety.
Full story here: http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/25/world/africa/uganda-anti-gay-law/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
Those of you that know me are aware that I do regard homosexuality as sinful. However, you also know that I advocate loving everyone and treating everyone fairly, which can be a difficult balance to maintain.
The Ugandan laws are actually pretty similar to Biblical Old Testament law, which called for he execution of those caught in homosexual acts, among many other things now considered legal (adultery, disobeying parents, ect). I don't want to turn this into a theological discussion, but I do want to make clear that my position is the same as Christ's when He was confronted with a woman caught in adultery. He did not allow her to be stoned. He did not condone her sin. He forgave her and empowered her to go and sin no more.
Uganda's message is one of condemnation, fear, and hatred. Nothing could be more antithetical to the message of love, acceptance, and hope that should be sent to the LGBT community. I just know that there are going to be some so-called Christian, holier-than-thou types out there celebrating this law as a good thing. We aren't all like that.
I really hope this law does not stand, and in the meantime I hope those victimized by it find relief and safety.
Full story here: http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/25/world/africa/uganda-anti-gay-law/index.html?hpt=hp_t1