Pentecostal Christians join Muslims against gays

I missed this when it first was announced in July, 2009:

Muslims Join Pastors in Gay Fight

Kampala — Muslims have teamed up with their counterparts from the Pentecostal churches to fight homosexuality. The leader of the Muslim Tabliqs, Sheikh Sulaiman Kakeeto, said the issue of homosexuality affects all people regardless of their religious affiliations.

“We have decided to make a bond with our fellow religious leaders to fight homosexuality,” Sheikh Kakeeto said at the launch of a campaign dubbed ‘The National Coalition against Homosexuality and Sexual Abuses in Uganda’ in Kampala on Wednesday. “We want to work together and eliminate sodomy and other forms of sexual abuses in our society.”

The two groups signed an agreement to guide their operations. Sheikh Kakeeto and Sheikh Muhammad Badru, the chairman the National Da’awa Association, signed on behalf of Muslims while pastors Michael Kyazze (Omega Healing Centre), Martin Ssempa (Makerere Community Church) and Solomon Male (Arising for Christ) signed on behalf of born again Christians. Sheikh Kakeeto called on the government to strengthen the law on homosexuality and incarcerate those caught in the act.

Pastor Ssempa said the coalition intends to embark on a campaign to sensitise communities about “the dangers of homosexuality.” “We shall offer counselling, legal and material support to the affected people,” he said.

Homosexuality is illegal in Uganda.

What is wrong with this picture? Apparently, more than the Family Life Network is involved. Ssempa was the spokesperson for another group called the Interfaith Rainbow Coalition Against Homosexuality which rallied against gays in 2007. Ssempa has been repeatedly connected to Rick Warren’s Saddleback church and is a campaigner for abstinence programming. I have contacted both Saddleback and Pastor Ssempa to find out their view of the new bill. I did hear from their representatives last night that a statement may be coming soon.

8 thoughts on “Pentecostal Christians join Muslims against gays”

  1. Ssempa has been repeatedly connected to Rick Warren’s Saddleback church and is a campaigner for abstinence programming. I have contacted both Saddleback and Pastor Ssempa to find out their view of the new bill. I did hear from their representatives last night that a statement may be coming soon.

    Warren, I will eagerly await news of any response from Rick Warren. I have not heard anything yet…I note with sadness that Ssempa has made his position quite clear.

  3. Are Muslims puttting pedophelia against boys in the same category as homosexuality ( because the two are linked in their culture?)

    I think that is possible. Many in this culture believe the two are linked.

  4. Does anyone know – or is it true that in Muslim societies that pedophelia against boys is very high? My boyfriend grew up in Iran and Turkey and he tells me that it is almost a given. Is this the case? Are Muslims puttting pedophelia against boys in the same category as homosexuality ( because the two are linked in their culture?) As for the Pentecostals – well – do they really understand the culture of pedophelia in those societies and the idea of homosexuality on those societies? They seem to be expressed differently than in American culture.

  5. “We shall offer counselling, legal and material support to the affected people,” he said.

    Really? Ssempa said that? Interesting. Perhaps we should remind him of that at his Facebook group.

    Sorry. You answered my question about Rick Warren. I had neglected to read all the way to the bottom of your post, Warren.

  7. I have been in touch with 2 people within Uganda this morning. There will be little pressure within the country to alter the course of this bill.

    Christians around the world are key since this effort seems to be driven internally by Christian leaders in that country.

  8. I have contacted both Saddleback and Pastor Ssempa to find out their view of the new bill. I did hear from their representatives last night that a statement may be coming soon.

    I have also emailed both men and spoke very briefly with Pastor Warren by phone. I am eager to see how they respond.

    Interesting coaltions — pentecostals and muslims on one side…gays, ex-gays, straights, christians of all kinds on the other. This if the first time I can recall gays and ex-gays working together.

    There are those whose believe that phone calls, emails, official statements and small voices can do little or nothing. I am not one of those.

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