If there was ever any doubt that words i.e., language, can do irreparable harm, one only has to pay attention to the following story. In March 2009, three young missionaries from an evangelical church visited Uganda. The three men, Scott Lively, Caleb Lee Brundidge and Don Schmierer, gave a series of talks to thousands of police, teachers and politicians with a harsh and unremitting condemnation of homosexuality as a threat to the Bible-based family values.
As a result of these seminars, the minister of ethics, James Nsaba Butero, felt sanctioned to start a campaign of repression against all supposed homosexuals. Gay Ugandans were threatened and tormented by beatings, “correctional rape” and in some cases, death.
The United States and other nations have withheld any form of support for this country that has made an institution of homophobia. The three gentlemen responsible for such inhuman measures, like Pontius Pilate, have washed their hands, made no apologies, proclaiming that these shameful discriminatory policies were not their intention, that they were only preaching the word of God as they perceived it. I suspect that was the same excuse the church hierarchy gave about the Spanish inquisition, St. Barthlomew”s Day massacre and the Mountain Meadow”s massacre.
All of these horrendous acts were the direct result of those who used their prejudices and hatred under the guise of obeying “God”s words.” They scream “freedom of religion” when they are held accountable for their instigations and stroking the fires of bigotry and intolerance.
Lives have been lost, people have suffered imprisonment, beatings and rape in Uganda, and I doubt very much that those who have endured these terrible acts are in the mood for forgiveness at the moment. These people who maintain that the voices of God inspired them will now have to rely on him for forgiveness for their ill-conceived campaign of venom and hate.
Harold Riley
Clearlake
