Ugh!
Reminds me of the days of Idi Amin and soon afterwards. A country should not be ‘infamous’. And, that is a whine, unapologetic. Yes, Uganda is infamous for all the right reasons… as we lead the world in the fight against homosexuality. And, with heroes like Martin ‘eat da poo poo’ Ssempa, why….!
But, we have some counter heroes. Ssenyonjo in the US has been lionized, sharing a podium with Gene Robinson. That is, if you are reading those who appreciate the work that he has done for gay Ugandans. But, there are those who are incensed. And, they are out in force… Gosh! If this was politics for politics, I would be amused. I mean, it is politicians who tend to hit out at one another like there is no tomorrow, and of course surprise us by being chummy in private. Those who think bad of Ssenyonjo’s work are doing their best to show how he is not a Bishop…. Yeah, he is no bishop. He ministers to sheep that are outside the fold. The Other Sheep. I believe one shepherd does not mind that, but then, I am no Christian.
Pro-Homosexuality Anglicans Seek U.S. Government Help
Well, the United Methodists initially pulled ahead in the race towards hell today with their spiritual blender seminary announcement, but the Episcopals, running a close second, have now won by a nose at the finish line. This news broke late today, giving the Hall of Shame prize to the Episcopalians.
But, for a human being that is in now way removed from this war, it is getting really dirty out there. Correction. This is the real world.
Means kind of two things… we have to wake up to it, and the journey is barely started. So, we will have to be really resilient. This war is to be fought at home, and away.
Good news from Iceland. An unanimous decision in parliament on whether or not gay human beings are human enough to celebrate being together in marriage, like other human beings. Its interesting how such an unanimity can be gotten to. Is gay marriage the end of the rainbow? It can seem like so, doesn’t it?
Iceland's parliament unanimously approves gay marriage
By Jessica Geen • June 11, 2010 - 16:33
Iceland's prime minister Johanna Sigurdardottir is a lesbian
Politicians in Iceland have passed a law legalising gay marriage.
The country, which is the only one in the world to have an out gay leader, prime minister Johanna Sigurdardottir, passed the law today.
All 49 lawmakers approved the change, which will see the words "man and man, woman and woman" added to marriage legislation.
The law allows churches to perform gay weddings if they wish and says "ministers will always be free to perform [gay] marriage ceremonies, but never obliged to".
Iceland's protestant church has not yet decided whether it will hold the ceremonies, which replace registered partnerships.
The country's president has to approve the bill but is highly likely to do so as this is a formality and public opinion is in favour of the change.
Ms Sigurdardottir, 67, became the world's first out gay head of government last April, when her Social Democrats formed a left-wing coalition with the Left-Green Movement.
Iceland repealed laws banning homosexuality in the 1940s. In 2006, it widened provisions to give gay couples all the reproductive and parenting rights open to straight couples.
In Africa, we are still fighting to stay OUTSIDE prison walls. The ultimate would be when we are treated in equality with all other human beings. When we are not shurned, nor demonized, held in contempt overtly or overtly, like in laws which deem us unfit to fight for our countries. Equality is a really interesting concept.
The Pope believes that gay people are a very dangerous threat…. Almost like to Ssempa, but not. And, of course you have heard of the guy called Dr. George Rekers. George, ‘I am not gay’ Rekers.’ Life is interesting.
Why would a guy who is gay make it his life times work to deny his sexuality- and persecute those who do accept their sexuality? It is a philosophical question that interests me. A lot. [I just wanted a link to Rekers... Old news that, though with Ted Haggard opening a new, 'inclusive' church and ministry, things may not be as bad as they seem to be.
Hope you do appreciate the tongue in cheek attitude. Makes life that much more interesting, looked at from the side.
Have a great weekend.
And, err, tune in to South Africa. Africa is hosting the biggest party in the world, you know?
gug
1 comment:
Dear Gug,
The hypocrisy of Rekers, Haggard, etc. is hardly surprising.
I doubt too many people even recognized the name George Rekers until he was spotted at Miami International airport with a male prostitute he claims to have hired to "carry his luggage."
Meanwhile, the anti-gay lobby Rekers founded, Family Research Council, was spending $25,000 opposing a U.S. congressional resolution denouncing Uganda's Kill The Gays Bill: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20006856-503544.html
I guess the Family Research Council really does extensive, exhaustive research.
I recommend Jeff Sharlet's The Family to understand the history of the Fundamentalist movement in the U.S. You should be able to read free on the web: http://tinyurl.com/2cgg9ev
Here's a summary:
Abram, the founder of the modern fundamentalist movement in the U.S., realized that he could make far more money evangelizing to the rich and powerful. He started out with the idea that Jesus rewards the righteous with wealth and power, and developed The Fellowship as a government lobby that would act as a liaison between business leaders and Congress, giving business what it needed (often squashing Organized Labor).
As corporations went global, so did The Fellowship, offering access to the resources of poorer nations and absolving ruthless dictators of crimes against humanity, as long as they accepted Jesus as their personal savior and let business exploit their people and resources.
With the power of Labor diminished, The Fellowship found a new threat in Communism. When the "Red Scare" had run its course, The Fellowship evolved into The Family and invested its energy in a Culture War.
The U.S. Religious Right is no longer Nixon's silent majority but a vocal minority (The Tea Party, these days). What hasn't changed is the use of religion as a weapon to create an "us" vs. "them" conflict, and a fear of the other based on dehumanizing lies and stereotypes. There's always a scapegoat.
What perplexes is that there is even an audience for the Religious Right in Uganda, given a history of cozy relations with white supremacist groups, neo-nazis, support for South African apartheid, etc.
Of course, there are good Christians doing valuable charity, as there are good Muslims, Buddhists, atheists ... one does not need to be religious to understand the Golden Rule. Nor should one have to accept Jesus in order to have clean water, running electricity, life saving medication ...
If I were Ugandan I'd be listening to Desmond Tutu rather than buying into Rick Warren and company: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/11/AR2010031103341.html
Sorry I got a little long winded.
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