The silence of some on Uganda's proposed legislation that would authorize the execution of gays and/or life imprisonment for others is deafening. Among those who have failed to condemn the measure are President Obama - who has his nose far up BFF Rick Warren's very wide ass all too often - the Archbishop of Canterbury, Pope Benedict XVI - the list goes on and on and helps to underscore that religious extremists of all denominations are the greatest enemies of LGBT civil rights and lives. Obama speaks in flowery words about being a "fierce advocate" but is missing in action when it comes to anything more than pretty talk. It makes me physically sick and wonder whether a world without religion would not be a far better place. A piece in the Washington Post looks at those who are turning a blind eye to the potential for legal murder of gays. Yes, some are speaking out, but far too many are not. Here are some highlights:*
As Episcopalians in America were electing their second gay bishop, their Anglican cousins in Uganda were embroiled in controversial legislation that would put those bishops in prison for life, or condemn them to death.
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The legislation being considered by the Parliament of Uganda, which outlaws "any form of sexual relations between persons of the same sex," punishable by life in prison or death, threatens to further divide Episcopalians, some of whom have left the U.S. church and aligned with the Anglican Church of Uganda and other anti-homosexual African communions. It's also putting other U.S. religious leaders, from Jim Wallis to Rick Warren, in the unusual position of commenting on political matters in other nations.
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Homosexuality already is illegal in Uganda: The Penal Code bans "carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature," with a possible penalty of life imprisonment, but prosecutions are rare because the standard of proof requires that offenders be caught in the act. According to Foreign Policy magazine, the proposed legislation would make it easier to catch and prosecute offenders:
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Homosexuality already is illegal in Uganda: The Penal Code bans "carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature," with a possible penalty of life imprisonment, but prosecutions are rare because the standard of proof requires that offenders be caught in the act. According to Foreign Policy magazine, the proposed legislation would make it easier to catch and prosecute offenders:
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"In addition to outlawing 'any form of sexual relations between persons of the same sex' with penalties up to life imprisonment, the proposed bill criminalizes attempted homosexuality, the aiding and abetting of homosexuality, and promotion of homosexuality -- each carrying a possible prison sentence of seven years. Failure to disclose an offense is also punishable by a fine and three years in prison. And anyone with knowledge of crimes committed is obligated to report them to the authorities within 24 hours. The legislation also creates a new category of offense, 'aggravated homosexuality,' which is punishable with death. The latter crime would include having homosexual sex with a minor or someone with a disability or having homosexual sex while HIV positive (the bill makes no distinction about whether offenders must be knowingly infected to qualify.)
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U.S. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori issued a statement of concern about the Ugandan legislation: "The Episcopal Church joins many other Christians and people of faith in urging the safeguarding of human rights everywhere. We do so in the understanding that 'efforts to criminalize homosexual behavior are incompatible with the Gospel of Jesus Christ,'" Schori wrote.
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[M]egachurch pastor Rick Warren, who church has extensive AIDS ministries in Uganda and other African nations, declined to condemn the legislation.
"In addition to outlawing 'any form of sexual relations between persons of the same sex' with penalties up to life imprisonment, the proposed bill criminalizes attempted homosexuality, the aiding and abetting of homosexuality, and promotion of homosexuality -- each carrying a possible prison sentence of seven years. Failure to disclose an offense is also punishable by a fine and three years in prison. And anyone with knowledge of crimes committed is obligated to report them to the authorities within 24 hours. The legislation also creates a new category of offense, 'aggravated homosexuality,' which is punishable with death. The latter crime would include having homosexual sex with a minor or someone with a disability or having homosexual sex while HIV positive (the bill makes no distinction about whether offenders must be knowingly infected to qualify.)
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U.S. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori issued a statement of concern about the Ugandan legislation: "The Episcopal Church joins many other Christians and people of faith in urging the safeguarding of human rights everywhere. We do so in the understanding that 'efforts to criminalize homosexual behavior are incompatible with the Gospel of Jesus Christ,'" Schori wrote.
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[M]egachurch pastor Rick Warren, who church has extensive AIDS ministries in Uganda and other African nations, declined to condemn the legislation.
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People need to take a good look at what's happening in Uganda. It is the natural extension of the intertwining of toxic religion with the civil laws. What's happening in Uganda is what many U.S. Christianist would like to achieve in the USA and elsewhere. Their message is one of hate and intolerance and NOT Christ's Gospel message.
People need to take a good look at what's happening in Uganda. It is the natural extension of the intertwining of toxic religion with the civil laws. What's happening in Uganda is what many U.S. Christianist would like to achieve in the USA and elsewhere. Their message is one of hate and intolerance and NOT Christ's Gospel message.
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