Day: January 8, 2010

Scott Lively: Anti-Homosexuality Bill is “step in the right direction”

I am behind on posting relevant news concerning the main characters in the Ugandan drama.

Here is an audio clip, you need to hear if you want to put Scott Lively’s opposition to the Ugandan bill in perspective.

Alan Colmes wondered how you could oppose the death penalty and call the bill “a step in the right direction.” About the show, Colmes wrote:

Scott Lively, one of three evangelicals who went to Uganda at in 2009 to preach against gays, says he doesn’t support Uganda’s bill that would punish homosexuality by life imprisonment or death.  Nevertheless, he said, on my radio show Monday night, it’s “a step in the right direction.”  He refused to say that gays should get jail time, but said it should be treated as a we treat those who smoke marijuana.  Yet, he refused to back off his “step in the right direction” comment.

So what would be the next step, Mr. Lively?

Teen Mania Ministries issues statement about Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill

Add another US evangelical group to the list expressing reservations about Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill. Well, at least they kind of do…

From the group’s Facebook page:

RON LUCE AND TEEN MANIA MINISTRIES desire to clarify any confusion surrounding the political happenings in Uganda that have come to view regarding the pending controversial bill before that nation’s legislature. While Teen Mania has partnered with many pastors and ministries in Uganda over the years, it has been to only one end: To reach people with the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. While we hold Biblically based convictions regarding marriage and sexuality, we also stand by the commandment of Jesus to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Teen Mania has had nothing to do with the crafting of any proposed Ugandan bills or legislation and Ron Luce and Teen Mania Ministries have no intention of speaking into the political process of another nation. Ron Luce, Teen Mania founder and President, commented, “The scriptures clearly teach that marriage is to be between one man and one woman and that sexual relations are reserved for marriage. However, Jesus also taught us through his words and actions, that when people stray – our response as Christ followers should be to find them, love them and help to restore them.”

Teen Mania Ministries has worked with Ugandan leaders, pastors and ministries on mission projects and events in Uganda in recent years. While the work in Uganda will continue in Kampala and Gulu and Teen Mania will continue to hold fast to the biblical teachings found in Lev. 18:22 and Rom 1:26,27, Teen Mania Ministries will also be re-evaluating all Ugandan and African partners to ensure that we are not partnering with or supporting anyone who has advocated for a blanket death penalty for homosexual offenders.

We do not pretend to understand the difficult choices necessary by those in authority in Uganda who are trying to curb the heinous spread of HIV and AIDS, but we understand the necessity to take strict punitive measures against those with the disease that are preying on young children, regardless of gender. Finally, we do not pretend to know the intricacies of how this legislation has been proposed or revised, but our prayer would be that God would give wisdom to those making decisions and that His will would be accomplished in Uganda. Our prayers are with and for those in this beloved nation.

This is dated in that it was posted on December 17 by Nate Clingman. I just discovered today on their Honor Academy site.  According to a posting on the Exodus blog, Martin Ssempa told Teen Mania head Ron Luce that the bill was only about penalties for rape and abuse. However, apparently they checked into the situation a bit more and learned the accurate information.

Even so, this is a bit weak to me. Martin Ssempa is a partner of Teen Mania in Uganda and there is no word from them about whether that work will continue to involve him. I called the HQ today and will report any new information.

Ugandan official says Anti-Homosexuality Bill not needed

This seems to be a promising development…

Ndorwa West MP David Bahati’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill may be withdrawn from Parliament following pressure from the international community, a senior government official has said.

The State Minister for Investments, Mr Aston Kajara, yesterday said the government was looking at the Bill with the possibility of withdrawing it. “The government’s official position is that we have enough laws to cover homosexuality acts,” Mr Kajara said. “Government did not sponsor this Bill. It is a private member’s Bill. The government is studying it and we may talk to the honourable Member of Parliament (David Bahati) to consider withdrawing it.”

Donor countries, including the United States, have piled pressure on the government to drop the proposed law, on grounds that it violates human rights.

Ht: Box Turtle Bulletin…

UPDATE: But then this came in a couple of hours later…

The left hand doesn’t know or care what the right hand is doing?