Comments on: Exodus opposes Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2009: Open letter to the President of Uganda

By: Chase Hutchison

Chase Hutchison — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:55:44 +0000

I find it trite and offensive that Exodus even post an open letter regarding this distaster; considering that they played a huge part in the intial cause of this whole mess. Exodus is just like a child who has manipulated his little brother into stealing something out of a store, only to tell police later that he was just joking.

Perhaps Exodus should stop and think about the affects it has on people…and now, foreign legislation, before it acts.

By: Debbie Thurman

Debbie Thurman — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:45:05 +0000

Money, sadly, has papered many a slippery slope. How easily we forget that all is God’s and that we can firmly trust in His providence over our own abilities or schemes, no matter what our limited vision shows us. The ends do not justify the means. Sadly, some people caught in this lie truly believe they are doing the right thing — that they are God’s providential tools and that He will make it all come out right.

By: Michael Bussee

Michael Bussee — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:04:43 +0000

Money and self-righteousness often make for rather bad bed-fellows even if you think you are following a good book.

Lynn David’s comment reminded me of this quote on the evils sometimes done in the name of religion:

“Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction.” — Blaise Pascal

By: Michael Bussee

Michael Bussee — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:59:39 +0000

Just wanted to make it clear that I have never suggested that we ought not to try to understand Ugandan culture — just that “compromise” (for example “lighter sentences” for being gay or for not turning them in) was too morally objectionable to consider. Along with Psychology, Cultural Anthropology is one of my main fields of study. I am certainly not against knowledge.

On the contrary, we need to learn as much as we can if we hope to have an impact. I have been doing a lot of research on Uganda’s history, politics, religion, economy, culture and its many social and human rights problems since this whole issue came up. Many Facebook members regularly post such information and the internet is a very rich source.

The more I have learned, the more I am convinced that this law would have a terrible effect on that culture — especially when one considers that the sentences would surely include some mob justice to carry them out. Understanding a culture does not preclude taking a stand. In fact, I think it provides a firmer foundation for taking one.

By: Lynn David

Lynn David — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:52:41 +0000

Debbie…. I have no doubt that Ahmanson more or less means what he says. But I think his public statements likely belies a private demeanor unlike the tolerance that someone like Alan Chambers has espoused. Why else would Ahmanson’s employee, Don Schmierer, be in agreement with Lively’s Pink Swastika?

However, I think they’ve gotten in over their head and it is not just Schmierer/Exodus, Lively, and Brundidge/Cohen who are to blame. But it is Exodus who has taken the brunt of the blame, perhaps even not rightly so. They are the cushion for the likes of Ahmanson whose dabbling in African and ECUSA/AfricanAnglican religious issues have helped to lead up to this ‘fiasco’ by the Brundidge/Lively/Schmierer triumvirate. Money and self-righteousness often make for rather bad bed-fellows even if you think you are following a good book.