Wednesday, 16 March 2016

Homosexuality in Africa: let's talk





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, 2Do 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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