Stone LGBT Ugandans to death? The Bible says what?
Change is in the wind.
In Europe and North America, there’s increasing recognition of the human rights of LGBT people.
But in Africa, hatred is on the upswing. Some anti-gay Christians even believe that LGBT people should be killed, that that’s what God wants.
What’s to be done? Here’s a discussion with one such Christian. The discussion began when Daniel D. submitted a comment in response to the blog post “2 Ugandans face trial on gay-sex charges.” In his comment, he stated:
“Do the world a favor and stone them to death.”
I e-mailed him:
“Dear Daniel,
“I won’t publish a comment that calls for people to be killed.
“– Colin Stewart, editor of the Erasing 76 Crimes blog.”
Daniel wrote back:
“Why not? The Bible calls for the stoning of the sexually immoral in both the Old and New Testaments.”
I replied:
“Here’s the reason:
“Because I believe that two commands from Jesus take precedence over those harsh edicts elsewhere in the Bible. Those commands are:
” ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
” ‘Judge not, that ye be not judged.’ “
Daniel responded:
“Jesus himself also says (Matthew 19:28), ‘Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.’
“Sexual immorality (incest, pedophilia, homosexuality) have to be suppressed in society. The specific instruction is public execution.”
I replied:
“Seriously, Dan. That’s a reference to an envisioned future, not the present.
“I doubt that you’re saying that you’re now sitting on one of the twelve thrones along with the Son of Man, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
That’s the entire discussion, so far.
I don’t really expect my words will persuade Daniel and others who believe as he does to embrace love rather than hate. I’m more hopeful for simple face-to-face encounters between gay and straight, which have helped change many people’s hearts and minds.
Do you have other suggestions?
Related articles
- Catholic Bishop praises genocide of LGBT in Uganda (blasphemieblog2.wordpress.com)
- American Preacher Who Pushed Ugandan ‘Kill The Gays’ Bill Charged With Crimes Against Humanity (addictinginfo.org)
- American Christian leaders oppose ‘Kill the Gays Bill’ (76crimes.com)
- African plea: The silence of good people hurts most (76crimes.com)
- Civil Rights worker seeks an end to anti-gay hatred in Africa (76crimes.com)
Reblogged this on JerBear's Queer World News, Views & More From The City Different – Santa Fe, NM.
Dear Colin,
As a former evangelical christian I found this website very helpful: http://www.religioustolerance.org It gives all points of view from all religions.
Kind regards, and grateful for your work,
Fred Kwint
Want to persuade this people? Cut the entire Financial Aid that this country give them…. The will do the trick!
How about Colossians 3:12-15 (all quotes are from the American Standard edition)
“Put on therefore, as God’s elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye: and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were called in one body, and be ye thankful.
1 Thessalonians 4:11: “and that ye study to be quiet, and do your own business, and work with your hands, even as we charged you;”…I have seen other translations word this as “Make it your aim to live quietly and mind your own business” which I particularly like. 🙂
1 Peter 4:15 “For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a meddler in other men’s affairs”
Psalm 11:5 “…But the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth”
Psalm 37:11 “But the meek shall inherit the land, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace” – people who willfully seek to commit murder or even advocate it are NOT meek and will not receive this reward
See also Romans 12:17-21 (be peaceable, yield place to wrath); 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (Christians wage war only by reasoning, not with weapons of the flesh); 1 Peter 2:21-23 (Christ set the example and did not retaliate); Galatians 5:19-23 (murder is NOT a “fruit of the spirit” but rather one of the world, and let us not forget Romans 10:4 (emphasis my own) “For Christ is the END OF THE LAW unto righteousness to every one that believeth” Jesus fulfilled the Moasic Law, we are no longer bound by it.
Try that (maybe not all at once LOL 🙂 ) and see what he says
I totally agree with your sentiment there Jonathan, but I’ve tried it in the past and he will immediately respond with: “You’re cherry-picking scripture – that’s not what it means”. Funny how it’s perfectly justified when THEY cherry-pick scripture though.
When people reach this point I tend to lose it. I’m not Christian, and what I have said in the past is his words are why I am not a Christian. His religion is a religion of hate, and no god of hate could have created this world. And no god would have made people for the purpose of being hated. And the only thing his words will ever do is reaffirm how right it was to walk away from a religion that only knows how to judge. I admit these words are said in anger, and there are many who are Christians and good. But it is my experience that good people make Christianity good. Christianity didn’t make people good.
If God wanted gays to be put to death or even went as far as to say He hates them, than why would God save from death 4 times a gay Christian man, as I am that man. One of those time He sent an illuminated being to personally save my life. I saw with my own eyes as I was in violent seizure and my heart was about to explode from my chest, as I took a drug and unknowingly was meant to kill me. Tony aka DJ Sunday Towers God’s DJ Conscience The Truth Be Told
Evil hides within the minds of men and they use religion to hide their evil intentions.
http://djsundaytowers.podomatic.com/entry/2014-04-17T09_50_47-07_00