The Ugandan government is seeking to further stigmatize and criminalize (to death or extreme punishment) people who deal with homosexuality. It seems that the government has no respect for freedom. Especially as it pertains to free will or self-determination on what a person does with their own same sex attractions. This sweeping, hateful, public policy being promoted threatens anyone struggling with same sex attractions, and their loved ones, with death or imprisonment.
I left the following message on Throckmorton’s blog five days ago:
I am totally speaking on my own behalf here.
Warren saidThis bill would make ex-gay ministry such as promoted by the conference impossible as just knowing about someone who is gay could lead to fines or imprisonment.
Agreed… there is so many violations of freedom and the right to self-determination here. I agree pursuing sex with minors should be an offense but not punishable by death. Good grief this is astounding! Private property rights, personal body rights, unfair stigmatization, duty to warn turned into duty to punish and much more … alllll kinds of wrong on many levels. It’s heartbreaking.
Not sure that a statement from Exodus will happen. As for the past, Don never needed our permission to spend his own money to attend a non-Exodus conference to talk about topics from his books. He is one of the most caring people I have ever met and am glad those folks had a kind person to minister to them. That said I’ll be praying for doors to open for ways to try and speak love and redemption into what is obviously a very hostile environment.
For the record, from what I understand, Don Schmierer (who taught a workshop in Uganda earlier this year) was never asked for his opinion on the public policy issues in Uganda at the time of his workshop. He was there to talk about topics from his books concerning homosexuality and family dynamics. His primary motivation for going had zero to do with Ugandan law. Indeed, Don’s loving nature and kind disposition probably worked to undermine the hateful rhetoric now fueling this public policy move.
I asked Don, who travels all around the world, about his thoughts on what is happening now in Uganda. He responded:
What this David Bahati is introducing does not reflect the Ugandans that I have ministered too. The only place where I have run into this thinking is from some former Russian hardliners and that was only a very small percentage of the participants attending my seminars. After some challenges from me (except for one person) they softened up and came around to a more redemptive position.
That said, it is interesting how American militant gay activists demand that Exodus has no right or authority to speak into public policy here in the states (where we have 230+ Member Agencies facing potential threats to their religious liberties) but then demand that we speak into public policy in other countries like Uganda where we have 0 Member Agencies. These same activists then don’t consistently speak out about other countries or cultures that have enormous human rights abuses (along these same lines or worse.)
Granted, I want to highlight the plight of our Ugandan friends. What they are facing is much worse than anything I could imagine here. Even so, it seems a few militant activists/bloggers primary motivation for covering this topic is only to attack and falsely stigmatize/accuse Exodus through such a tragedy.
All of the North American noise aside, none of that matters to the young Ugandan man or woman afraid for their life because they struggle with homosexuality. None of that matters to the family member or friend who could face harsh prosecution for not “reporting” their loved one’s struggle to the government. We definitely need to be praying for Uganda and working with whatever contacts we have there to try and stop this horrible legislation from passing. I am praying for the Lord to open doors toward making a lasting difference that reflects true freedom, tolerance and self-determination.
MORE:
Soulforce Agrees With Exodus About Uganda
President Obama & Secretary Clinton Speak Out Against “Odious” Ugandan Bill
New York Times Picks up Uganda Story
Rick Warren Graciously and Strongly Denounces Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill
Rachel Maddow vs. Richard Cohen – Interview Review & Missing the Point About Uganda
Rachel Maddow, Uganda and Me – Guest Post by Don Schmierer
Don Schmierer Added to Letter Opposing Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill
Charisma News Online Picks Up Ugandan Story
Exodus International Sends Letter Opposing Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill
Martin Ssempa Should Renounce Support for Proposed Ugandan Criminalization of Homosexuality
Ugandan Government Poised to Harshly Prosecute Homosexuals
PLUS:
Dr. Warren Throckmorton has started a Facebook group as a central point for news and information
Laura Leigh Stanlake
Julie Neils
Exodus International Blog
Ralph C
James C
Erik
Alan Chambers
JE Clark
College Jay
Randy Thomas
Ugandan Government Poised to Harshly Prosecute Homosexuals http://bit.ly/J306l
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Thanks, Randy. I, too, have wondered about certain folks being singularly focused on Exodus when the Ugandan government, certain activists and other ministries (here and there) with questionable agendas have been stirring the pot for quite a while.
Clearly, anyone with a conscience decries the proposed Ugandan bill. I’m glad you provided a statement from Don Schmierer.
Randy, am I to understand that what you have written here reflects Exodus’s OFFICIAL stand on these matters, or are you still “totally speaking on our own behalf”?
Is this Exodus’s OFFICIAL stand — “It seems that the government has no respect for freedom, especially as it pertains to free will or self-determination on what a person does with their own same sex attractions. This sweeping, hateful, public policy being promoted threatens anyone struggling with same sex attractions, and their loved ones, with death or imprisonment.”
If it is Exodus’s official position and not just your personaly opinion, then I sincerely thank you. My intent was never to lay blame for Uganda on Exodus. I just could not understand why Exodus was not condemning the legislation more directly and clearly — especially when it would make an Exodus-type ministry impossible there.
The quote was me speaking on my own behalf. This post is on an official Exodus publication so it is an official Exodus blog post.
Yes, this is an official response from Exodus. You are welcome and I wasn’t responding to you in this post.
Thanks Debbie. Don is a really nice guy. Most people, even those that don’t agree with us, would never think we would be ok with what is happening there.
Oh well. I didn’t fully understand gay activism even when I was gay so … there ya’ go.
[...] comments about Ugandan situation on blog Posted on October 19th, 2009 by Warren On their blog, Exodus International commented today about the proposed “Anti-Homosexuality 2009″ [...]
Is there some reason you can only find these views here and not on the Exodus homepage? Why not issue a press release? Also, does Exodus intend to ask the other Ugandan ex-gay conference attendees and representatives (ie: International Healing Foundation, etc)to join in Exodus’s denunciation of this hateful legislation?
We are currently investigating website developers to combine our various sites and blogs. Eventually this blog will be incorporated into the main website.
Why not a press release? I wanted to blog about it.
I don’t think IHF needs our help in deciding whether they want to speak to this situation or not. I would be interested to see what Richard or Caleb have to say but if I were to encourage them to do something, I would do so directly … not publicly.
[...] Ugandan Government Poised to Harshly Prosecute Homosexuals [...]
Why isn’t Exodus more forthright in condemning the proposed legislation in Uganda. Your blog quotes others, and speculates that Don, the board member, would condemn the legislation if he knew about it…. So where is the statement?
What part of …
and earlier in the post …
… isn’t forthright? Seems pretty obvious and clear.
Yesterday, Warren Throckmorton read this statement from Exodus on UK radio:
“Exodus International opposes this legislation as we believe that the Christian Church must be a safe, compassionate place for those who are confused and conflicted by their sexuality. Such legislation would inhibit church and ministry leader’s ability to assist hurting individuals struggling with this issue.”
Now, why not issue a press release and post this onthe Exodus website — as Exodus has done with other issues it cares about? I honestly don’t understand the hesitation. You shouldn’t have to read blogs or listen to British radio to find out how Exodus stands on this issue.
Michael just because you aren’t involved in our behind the scenes dialog and actions doesn’t mean we are “hesitating.” Alan interviewed with the Christian Post back in the spring when this all happened, I have clearly (on this blog twice) heavily denounced the legislation and called directly on Ssempa to renounce his support.
While the message of love, grace and redemption is the same, every situation calls for a strategy of how best to respond. You are not a part of the behind the scenes discussions or planning so you aren’t going to see a majority of what we have done and will do to seek the defeat of this legislation and the freedom of Ugandans to exercise self-determination with regard to their same sex attractions.
There is nothing wrong with hearing statements on the radio or reading blogs. I have found that sometimes they are much more affective than press releases.
That doesn’t matter to some though. Anything we actually will do won’t ever be enough (or done the “right way”) for some people who think we should be trying to appease their list of demands when they have no vested interest in anything other than tearing us down. I find that last dynamic fascinating.
Randy, I know you may not believe it, but I am NOT trying to “tear Exodus down”. I helped start Exodus. I want it to look GOOD. Actually, I think posting this statement would help to build Exodus UP in the eyes of many.
I didn’t say there was anything “wrong” with radio statements and blog postings. I thank Exdodus for them! I sincerely appreciate that Exodus is speaking out against this bill and that you and Alan have joined the FB group.– and have said so very openly.
I just wondered what your reasoning was for not issuing a press release. — it seemed there is some hesitation on that — and it is puzzling. You’ve done it on other issues, less pressing than this one. Why not make your stand even more visible — on your own website? It’s a good statement. Why not post it there? I would think that it would be Exodus’s best interest to do so.
Again, we just might be working on some things you have no idea about and to do a press release now might impact those efforts OR those efforts will inform any potential future statement we might put out there.
The goal isn’t to have a press release. The goal is to stop this horrible legislation.
I didn’t say *you* were trying to tear Exodus down. I said some activists, like Besen and his friends for example, have promised to “destroy” Exodus. Those very same activists then fuel the constant unrealistic expectation that we should jump and do what they say, when they say it and how they think we should do it. It’s fascinating.
You along with the other sixty people at the first conference,including the founding board, did a great thing in 1976 but it seems you personally have been very clear you don’t want us to be successful and regret ever having taken part … are you now saying you wish us to be successful?
and, if and when we make other public statements… you will see them.
I will look for them. Thanks. I think you are doing the right thing by doing so. DO I think Exodus could and should do more? Yes. We ALL should.
Just posted a “thank-you” on the Facebook group. I mean it.
[...] Ugandan Government Poised to Harshly Prosecute Homosexuals [...]
[...] Ugandan Government Poised to Harshly Prosecute Homosexuals [...]