A group of high-profile U.S. Christian leaders issued a joint statement today condemning Uganda's proposed anti-homosexuality bill as "a betrayal of Jesus' commandment," according to USA Today.
Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schor (AP Photo)
The statement reads,
"Our Christian faith recognizes violence, harassment and unjust treatment of any human being as a betrayal of Jesus' commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves. As followers of the teachings of Christ, we must express profound dismay at a bill currently before the Parliament in Uganda."
The statement was released by Faith in Public Life and Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. It was signed by dozens of religious leaders, and stems from a declaration by Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schor, who said,
"...(A)ttempts to export the culture wars of North America to another context represent the very worst of colonial behavior. We deeply lament this reality, and repent of any way in which we have participated in this sin."
While Schor doesn't specifically condemn Sen. Jim Inhofe or the Family, it's fairly easy to read between the lines of her statement to see the connection. The D.C.-based Family (particularlyy Inhofe) is reputedly the architect of Uganda's anti-homosexuality bill, which would use the East African nation as a theocratic experiment in its 70-yeat quest for absolute power and world domination. This revelation came to light in Jeff Sharlet's book, The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism At The Heart Of American Power.
Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK)/AP Photo
None of the statement's signatories are known to have links to the Family, so it would seem something of a Holy War is brewing here in the U.S. based on the Family's principles and global reach, and Christians who oppose its ideals and actions in other parts of the world.
Under Uganda's new law, which is all but assured of passing at this point, anyone with HIV/AIDS, no matter how it was acquired, is automatically sentenced to death. Friends or family members who don't report a known gay child or associate, or landlords who rent property to gay people, face life in prison. People convicted of a new crimed called "aggravated homosexuality" face the death penalty.
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For more stories about the ongoing crisis in Uganda:
- Ugandans speak out against Anti-Homosexuality death penalty bill
- Contact Ugandan leaders to voice your opinion about proposed anti-homosexuality law
- Uganda anti-gay bill supported by US Congressmen and Evangelists
- US Christian leaders denounce Ugandan anti-gay bill
- US Christians Denounce Gay Hate In Uganda
Comments
I would love to see more people in power in government, in churches, etc. to speak out against this legislation. This is one of the most disturbing stories I've followed this year. Scary.
Leslie,
The problem with that is that the most powerful people in government and churches had a hand in creating and propagating this law, or are afraid of the ones who did. As you said, it's scary, and I fear it is merely the beginning.
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