World Christianity Part I
Uganda: Relating Homosexuality to Another Culture
Thomas Brown
Issue date: 3/11/10 Section: Opinion
"Homosexuality, like burglary, prostitution, murder, and other behaviors considered harmful to our society, are crimes in Uganda....Appropriate laws must be formulated to counter all harmful behavior," according to Fred Wantaate, pastor of Full Gospel Church Makerere in Kampala, Uganda (quoted by Sarah Pulliam Bailey in Christianity Today).
This statement exemplifies part of the mindset behind the Ugandan bill proposed last October, which would outlaw and ban homosexuality in the nation. It would punish "aggravated homosexuality"--sex with a minor, by someone with HIV/AIDS, or with the disabled--with death, while regular homosexual behavior between adults would be punished with life imprisonment. This proposal has caused outcry among many Western Christian leaders and various social action groups.
And while countries such as Uganda seek to punish a practice typically opposed by all religions, gay marriage is now recognized in the capitol of the United States, Washington D.C. Why such disparity, even among Christians? Is there anything we can learn from one another? Is there any absolute truth to the matter? One thing is for sure: we need to be more accepting of the viewpoints of our fellow Christians.
According to David Zac Niringiye, the Church of Uganda's assistant bishop of Kampala, there are two main reasons for the anti-homosexuality bill (from "Ugandan Bishop Pleads With American Christians on Anti-Homosexuality Bill," Christianitytoday.com).
First, it seeks consistency with the current laws. "The law on rape in this country (and I am not stating a position, I'm stating a fact) has a maximum sentence of death, particularly if it is rape of a minor. Therefore, there is the idea that the law that is proposed needs to be [consistent] with other laws on the books."
Second, "within the culture, homosexuality is not acceptable." According to Niringiye, there has been a growing number of reports of homosexual practice in Uganda, and legislators wish to slow this process. Furthermore, many Ugandans believe that Western society is responsible for this development.
This statement exemplifies part of the mindset behind the Ugandan bill proposed last October, which would outlaw and ban homosexuality in the nation. It would punish "aggravated homosexuality"--sex with a minor, by someone with HIV/AIDS, or with the disabled--with death, while regular homosexual behavior between adults would be punished with life imprisonment. This proposal has caused outcry among many Western Christian leaders and various social action groups.
And while countries such as Uganda seek to punish a practice typically opposed by all religions, gay marriage is now recognized in the capitol of the United States, Washington D.C. Why such disparity, even among Christians? Is there anything we can learn from one another? Is there any absolute truth to the matter? One thing is for sure: we need to be more accepting of the viewpoints of our fellow Christians.
According to David Zac Niringiye, the Church of Uganda's assistant bishop of Kampala, there are two main reasons for the anti-homosexuality bill (from "Ugandan Bishop Pleads With American Christians on Anti-Homosexuality Bill," Christianitytoday.com).
First, it seeks consistency with the current laws. "The law on rape in this country (and I am not stating a position, I'm stating a fact) has a maximum sentence of death, particularly if it is rape of a minor. Therefore, there is the idea that the law that is proposed needs to be [consistent] with other laws on the books."
Second, "within the culture, homosexuality is not acceptable." According to Niringiye, there has been a growing number of reports of homosexual practice in Uganda, and legislators wish to slow this process. Furthermore, many Ugandans believe that Western society is responsible for this development.
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