God loves Uganda? Not if you’re a Ugandan homosexual. At least that’s the message that well-meaning but misguided Christian fundamentalist missionaries are unwittingly bringing to Africa. In Uganda, a bill is currently being considered in parliament that will ban homosexuality – with the death penalty as punishment for “repeat offenders”. Sadly, it’s our otherwise pro-life allies who are amongst the religious groups sending these missionaries, the unintentional carriers of a “pro-family” Christian message being taken to deadly extremes.
God Love Uganda is a new and multiple-award-winning documentary that takes a balanced look at recent outpouring of missionary efforts in Uganda, and examines why “traditional family” and gospel messages that are often rejected in North America are finding such fertile ground in developing countries. The documentary showcases Charismatic Christian leaders and youth from the International House of Prayer, including the well-known Lou Engle, whose projects The Call and Bound4life have played a significant role amongst Charismatic Christians by stirring many “pro-life in name only” Christians to becoming more active in speaking out against abortion. As the struggling Ugandan economy welcomes the onslaught of help from the rich and the white, Christian fundamentalists from America are finding a ripe and willing audience that is hungry for change and vulnerable to messages that are largely ignored or kept in check in the developed world. Without adequate and democratic safeguards to equality and freedom for all, efforts to “reclaim the national for Jesus” have led to mob attacks, including the bludgeoning death of gay rights activist David Kato , leader of SMUG – Sexual Minorities of Uganda.
This eight minute Op-Doc, entitled “Gospel of Intolerance” was created by the film’s producers for the New York Times, and provides a succinct summary of the film and the issues therein:
As Humanists and as pro-lifers, I believe that this is something we can’t afford to overlook. Most, if not all of us, oppose the death penalty – and how much more so when the death penalty is being considered against real human beings for no other reason than their sexual orientation! As pro-lifers we tend to speak largely on the issue of abortion, and rightly so since the unborn are a people group with no rights and who are being discriminated against and killed for reasons outside of their control. But as a Humanist I can’t help but feel the same degree of rage and concern when any human being is targeted just for who or what they naturally are!
In the words of the Pro-Life Alliance of Gays and Lesbians:
“None of us is truly free until all of us are free, with all our rights intact and guaranteed, including the basic right to live without threat or harassment. And that’s why we’re Pro-Life. Just like homophobia, abortion tries to get rid of real human beings who are considered threatening or undesirable. Just like homophobia, abortion denies one’s place as a member of human society, and even one’s right to be alive in it.”
What is true of the unborn is true of Ugandan homosexuals right now (as well as a number of other countries around the world where homosexuality still faces the death penalty). We may not have the time and energy to fight every battle, but it doesn’t cost us much to lend a voice of support and concern to those fighting for their lives and freedoms. Having seen God Love Uganda, my encouragement is that you get more informed about this global crisis and human rights violation. Attend a screening of the film if it’s playing in your city, or make an effort to rent it or bring it to your library when it comes to DVD. You can also follow @godlovesuganda and @SMUG2004 on Twitter and FB.
All human lives should be regarded as valuable, regardless of where we are and how we live. We’re all part of the same family – let’s live and love like that’s true. Violence is never a good response to human differences!
– Kristine Kruszelnicki
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