These years there has been pressure on some African
countries to legalise gay marriage, especially after the United States took the
step in June 2015. On the African continent, it is often seen as a depravity
and it is strongly rejected. It is considered against nature and this explains
why gays are maltreated across the continent. I was wondering if the arguments
brought forth by people were valid to justify all this hatred towards this
group. Often publicly humiliated, being homosexual is punishable by death or
life imprisonment in many African countries. Recently, social media reported the
death of a South African singer suffering from anal cancer as if it was a
consequence of an unrighteous life.
The arguments people often bring forth are that homosexuality
is not part of African cultures and that the Bible forbids it. I found an
article in French addressing homosexuality in Africa. Many sociologists and
historians have stated that Africa did not know homosexual practices and was
polluted by western influence, however this paper analysed the different occurrences
of homosexual activities on the continent. Because Africa has more of an oral
history rather than a written one, there was a need to find the different
African dialects where this act was named. Researchers then proceeded to
analyse in what circumstances it occurred. The study revealed that there was
proof of homosexual activity in many African cultures in Angola, with the
Haoussa of Northern Nigeria, in the southern part of Africa, in Zanzibar, in
Burundi, in Cameroon and also in East Africa. In some of these cultures those
activities were considered as erotic games among young boys. The Gangella
community in Angola for instance, an 18 years old boy young, single and
circumcised young boy could decide to settle with another younger fellow of 12 years
by going to his parents and making an official request. In those communities, even
though it was tolerated in the youth, it is often rejected in adulthood. It is
then viewed as irrational and an act of witchcraft. The continuation of this
practise is view as a failure to pass into adulthood. Homosexuality also
appeared in the some rites like with the Kivai in the northern east of Zambia
where sodomy was perceived as making men vigorous. In case of scarcity of men
or women, it was also tolerated in various communities including the Dahomey.
All this to say that indeed homosexuality is not new on the
continent. It is only with colonisation that these practices were considered
barbaric and were discarded. It did not have the sense that western civilisation
borrowed to ancient Greece but I t had a place in the African traditional
society.
The second argument brought forth by people is religion. The
most common religion in Africa being Christianity, people often use biblical
verses to prove that homosexuality is not accepted. The first biblical verse to
that effect is found in Genesis: it is the institution of marriage, according
to God.
Genesis 2:24 “ That is
why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one
flesh.”
So that is the recommendation of God for marriage. By
quoting that verse to criticise homosexuality, we often stop to the sex of the
people involved. Homosexuality apparently prevents the perpetuity of human kind
in itself. However marriage as described in Genesis has more depth that. That
verse also supposes that sexual intercourse is only acceptable in marriage
“they will become one”. To understand what is meant in this expression, we
could go to 1 Corinthians 6:16 “Do you not know that he who unites himself with a
prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one
flesh”
To do justice to the word of God concerning marriage, one
should leave his parents and, find a partner (of opposite sex) before having
sex with him. We can hence say that any condition that does not fit the criteria
specified in this verse is prohibited. So,
If it is not a man and a woman (homosexuality)
If sexual intercourse is not in the context marriage
(fornication)
If you leave your partner to do it with someone (adultery)
Few biblical
verses
Hebrew 13:4 “Marriage should be honoured by all, and
the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the
sexually immoral”.
1 Corinthians 6:13 “You say, Food for the stomach and the stomach
for food, and God will destroy them both. The
body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and
the Lord for the body.”
1 Corinthians 6:18 “Flee from
sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are
outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.”
Galatians 5:19 “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual
immorality, impurity and debauchery”
Colossians 3:5 “Put to death, therefore,
whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and
greed, which is idolatry.”
1 Thessalonicians 4:3,5 “It is
God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual
immorality; that each
of you should learn to control your own body[a] in a way that is holy and honourable, not in
passionate lust like the pagans, who do
not know God."
Pleasure of the flesh are not tolerated in the church
unless, it is between married people. Why do we close our eyes to fornication
and adultery but when it comes to homosexuality people find the biblical verses
against. Shouldn’t we treat sin the same way? Is it more tolerable to be a
fornicator or an adulterer rather than a homosexual?
1 Corinthians 6:10 gives us the answer, “Or do you
not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be
deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men
who have sex with men nor
thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will
inherit the kingdom of God.”
According to this verse the punishment will be the same for
those who have impure desires. So can we pretend to be Christians, strongly
criticise the homosexuality and yet turn a blind side on other equally
unaccepted practices? Since we all are imperfect beings, on what basis do we
justify the way homosexuals are treated? What do we do of the commandment in Matthew
7:1, 2 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the
measure you use, it will be measured to you.” what about the commandment of Jesus in Marc 12:31 “The second is this: Love
your neighbor as yourself. There
is no commandment greater than these.” Would you like to be
beaten or humiliated because you are different? I don’t mean, one should accept
homosexuality but if it is your faith that is guiding your judgement, you
should also behave according to the word 2 timothy 2:24 says “And the
Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to
teach, not resentful.”
Culture and religion should not be arguments ot justify the
way homosexuals are treated in Africa. If we want to claim that we love and
value our culture, we should first know what our culture says and decide what
we should keep or let go. If on the other hand we want to live our Christian
faith, maybe we should try and not judge the people and be more Christ. In both
cases, nothing justifies maltreating a human being like us, who has blood
running through their veins. For me, I dare to believe that people sexual life
is not my concern. I treat it the same way, I consider the skin color,
religion. Those should not influence our judgement of people.
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