Open Letter to the Association of
Evangelicals in Africa
Dated February 13, 2010
An Open Letter from Other Sheep East Africa to Rev.
Patson Netha, Executive Secretary of the Association of
Evangelicals in Africa (AEA) for Ethics, Peace & Justice,
Calling for AEA to Denounce the Uganda Anti-
Homosexuality Bill
The Need to Speak Out
We are writing you because we are greatly distressed about proposed
legislation in Uganda which if passed could lead to the systematic
elimination of a certain segment of society. Already, citizens have left
Uganda out of fear for their safety. We are writing about the Ugandan
Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009 that would, by use of the death penalty
and imprisonment, effectively purge Uganda of LGBT people (lesbian,
gay, bi-sexual and transgender) and any who would speak out on their
behalf.
We are concerned that evangelicals in Africa may be turning a deaf
ear towards the Parliament of Uganda at this time.
AEA's Africa Bible Commentary in which it says
"homosexuals are worse than beasts"
In 2006, the Association of Evangelicals in Africa (AEA) published the
Africa Bible Commentary. The Commentary features Nigerian religious
leader Yusufu Turaki's hateful and intolerant article entitled
"Homosexuality" (page 1355).
Our question to you as leaders in the African evangelical world is this:
Does it follow, in view of Turaki's article, that you endorse the Ugandan
Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009? Turaki's article contains the following
anti-homosexual remarks:
Turaki's article effectively dismisses the church from its responsibility
to speak out against the violence in Africa against LGBT people
(lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender). His article could be used by
African evangelicals at this time as an argument for the endorsement
of the Ugandan bill.
How the bill is a crime against humanity, justice and peace
The Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009 would criminalize anyone
who "aids, abets, counsels or procures another to engage in acts of
homosexuality," as well as anyone who engages in the "promotion of
homosexuality," including broadcasting, publishing, the marketing of
materials on homosexuality, and the funding and sponsoring of LGBT
organizations. In addition, an authority must, under this legislation, turn
in his colleagues, family, or friends who engage in the "promotion of
homosexuality" or face criminal charges for failing to do so.
It is conceivable, for example, that any pastor who would teach - or
even dialogue open mindedly - that the Bible does not condemn same-
sex loving relationships between consenting adults, would be guilty of
promoting homosexuality, and therefore a criminal. A Bible scholar in
Uganda would not be at liberty to openly question what the Bible does
or does not say about homosexuality. Any person of authority who
would fail to report such a scholar or open-minded pastor within 24
hours would be subject to a significant fine and up to 3 years in prison.
Anybody who keeps a house or room for the purpose of homosexuality
is subject to imprisonment. No one's private dwelling is safe.
The Anti-Homosexuality Bill directly violates many of the basic human
rights guaranteed in the Ugandan Constitution. It also violates the
African Charter on Human and People's Rights, the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and other international
human rights treaties to which Uganda is a party.
The bill effectively creates a climate of fear and hostility. It will lend
itself to misapplication and abuse, and implicitly encourages
persecution of LGBT people by private actors. Effective HIV prevention
activities in Uganda, which rely on an ability to talk frankly about
sexuality and provide condoms and other safer-sex materials, will be
difficult, if not impossible.
AEA must not remain silent, especially in view of its
intolerant Bible commentary article in which it says
"homosexuals are worse than beasts"
We are aware that, for the most part, evangelicals worldwide view
same-sex sex between consenting adults as immoral. Nonetheless, we
cannot believe that evangelicals, such as the AEA, can stand silently
by and watch the Parliament of Uganda vote this inhumane bill into law,
especially since evangelicals in Africa are so vehemently vocal on the
issue of homosexuality.
Therefore, Other Sheep East Africa is asking you to demonstrate that
Yusufu Turaki's inflexible and dogmatic article on "Homosexuality"
(which AEA published) is not to be misused by any evangelicals in
Africa as an argument for the endorsement of the inhumane Ugandan
Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009 by your swift denouncement of this bill.
We urge the AEA (Association of Evangelicals in Africa) to openly
denounce this bill. If not, then your silence will serve as a passive
agreement that a Christian country could, and even should, imprison
for life or sentence to death persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgendered, especially in view of Yusufu Turaki's article on
homosexuality in the Africa Bible Commentary which you published in
2006 in association with Zondervan Publishing House of Grand
Rapids, Michigan, USA.
Signed
Other Sheep East Africa
Rev. Michael Kimindu, Coordinator for Other Sheep East Africa (Kenya)
Rev. Stephen Parelli, Executive Director of Other Sheep (USA)
Uganda
Mr. Wamala Dennis Mawejje, Chairperson for Other Sheep Uganda
Kenya
Mrs. Anne Baraza, Counselor to LGBT and friends and family of Other
Sheep Kenya
Rev. John Makokha, Coordinator for Other Sheep Kenya
Mr. Peter Wanyama, Other Sheep Kenya committee member
Rwanda
Rev. J. Elie Gasana, Coordinator for Other Sheep Rwanda and Dem.
Rep. of the Congo
Other Sheep Coordinators for Africa
Mr. Emmanuel Kamau, Other Sheep Coordinator for Africa (Kenyan
with asylum in the USA)
Mr. Jose Ortiz, Other Sheep Coordinator for Africa (USA)
Evangelicals in Africa
Dated February 13, 2010
An Open Letter from Other Sheep East Africa to Rev.
Patson Netha, Executive Secretary of the Association of
Evangelicals in Africa (AEA) for Ethics, Peace & Justice,
Calling for AEA to Denounce the Uganda Anti-
Homosexuality Bill
The Need to Speak Out
We are writing you because we are greatly distressed about proposed
legislation in Uganda which if passed could lead to the systematic
elimination of a certain segment of society. Already, citizens have left
Uganda out of fear for their safety. We are writing about the Ugandan
Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009 that would, by use of the death penalty
and imprisonment, effectively purge Uganda of LGBT people (lesbian,
gay, bi-sexual and transgender) and any who would speak out on their
behalf.
We are concerned that evangelicals in Africa may be turning a deaf
ear towards the Parliament of Uganda at this time.
AEA's Africa Bible Commentary in which it says
"homosexuals are worse than beasts"
In 2006, the Association of Evangelicals in Africa (AEA) published the
Africa Bible Commentary. The Commentary features Nigerian religious
leader Yusufu Turaki's hateful and intolerant article entitled
"Homosexuality" (page 1355).
Our question to you as leaders in the African evangelical world is this:
Does it follow, in view of Turaki's article, that you endorse the Ugandan
Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009? Turaki's article contains the following
anti-homosexual remarks:
- (1) Turaki's use of the words "abnormal, unnatural and a
perversion" in reference to homosexuals; (2) his uncritical use of
the quote that "homosexuals are worse than beasts" tied in with
(3) his uncritical statement of the African Anglican church's
rejection of Archbishop Tutu's call for tolerance, as well as (4)
his one-sided account of African "coercive sexual relationships"
as his example of "varied" African same-sex sex; (5) an uncritical
censorship of all views of homosexuality that are not in keeping
with his views ("Our views of homosexuality should not be
derived from human sources but from the Word of God"), and
(6) his expressed theological view that to be homosexual is sinful
(a view not held by most evangelicals in the West).
Turaki's article effectively dismisses the church from its responsibility
to speak out against the violence in Africa against LGBT people
(lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender). His article could be used by
African evangelicals at this time as an argument for the endorsement
of the Ugandan bill.
How the bill is a crime against humanity, justice and peace
The Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009 would criminalize anyone
who "aids, abets, counsels or procures another to engage in acts of
homosexuality," as well as anyone who engages in the "promotion of
homosexuality," including broadcasting, publishing, the marketing of
materials on homosexuality, and the funding and sponsoring of LGBT
organizations. In addition, an authority must, under this legislation, turn
in his colleagues, family, or friends who engage in the "promotion of
homosexuality" or face criminal charges for failing to do so.
It is conceivable, for example, that any pastor who would teach - or
even dialogue open mindedly - that the Bible does not condemn same-
sex loving relationships between consenting adults, would be guilty of
promoting homosexuality, and therefore a criminal. A Bible scholar in
Uganda would not be at liberty to openly question what the Bible does
or does not say about homosexuality. Any person of authority who
would fail to report such a scholar or open-minded pastor within 24
hours would be subject to a significant fine and up to 3 years in prison.
Anybody who keeps a house or room for the purpose of homosexuality
is subject to imprisonment. No one's private dwelling is safe.
The Anti-Homosexuality Bill directly violates many of the basic human
rights guaranteed in the Ugandan Constitution. It also violates the
African Charter on Human and People's Rights, the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and other international
human rights treaties to which Uganda is a party.
The bill effectively creates a climate of fear and hostility. It will lend
itself to misapplication and abuse, and implicitly encourages
persecution of LGBT people by private actors. Effective HIV prevention
activities in Uganda, which rely on an ability to talk frankly about
sexuality and provide condoms and other safer-sex materials, will be
difficult, if not impossible.
AEA must not remain silent, especially in view of its
intolerant Bible commentary article in which it says
"homosexuals are worse than beasts"
We are aware that, for the most part, evangelicals worldwide view
same-sex sex between consenting adults as immoral. Nonetheless, we
cannot believe that evangelicals, such as the AEA, can stand silently
by and watch the Parliament of Uganda vote this inhumane bill into law,
especially since evangelicals in Africa are so vehemently vocal on the
issue of homosexuality.
Therefore, Other Sheep East Africa is asking you to demonstrate that
Yusufu Turaki's inflexible and dogmatic article on "Homosexuality"
(which AEA published) is not to be misused by any evangelicals in
Africa as an argument for the endorsement of the inhumane Ugandan
Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009 by your swift denouncement of this bill.
We urge the AEA (Association of Evangelicals in Africa) to openly
denounce this bill. If not, then your silence will serve as a passive
agreement that a Christian country could, and even should, imprison
for life or sentence to death persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgendered, especially in view of Yusufu Turaki's article on
homosexuality in the Africa Bible Commentary which you published in
2006 in association with Zondervan Publishing House of Grand
Rapids, Michigan, USA.
Signed
Other Sheep East Africa
Rev. Michael Kimindu, Coordinator for Other Sheep East Africa (Kenya)
Rev. Stephen Parelli, Executive Director of Other Sheep (USA)
Uganda
Mr. Wamala Dennis Mawejje, Chairperson for Other Sheep Uganda
Kenya
Mrs. Anne Baraza, Counselor to LGBT and friends and family of Other
Sheep Kenya
Rev. John Makokha, Coordinator for Other Sheep Kenya
Mr. Peter Wanyama, Other Sheep Kenya committee member
Rwanda
Rev. J. Elie Gasana, Coordinator for Other Sheep Rwanda and Dem.
Rep. of the Congo
Other Sheep Coordinators for Africa
Mr. Emmanuel Kamau, Other Sheep Coordinator for Africa (Kenyan
with asylum in the USA)
Mr. Jose Ortiz, Other Sheep Coordinator for Africa (USA)
Other Sheep Press Release
PRESS RELEASE
February 13, 2010
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Rev. Steve Parelli, Other Sheep Executive Director
sparelli2002@yahoo.com
718-360-0884
Other Sheep East Africa Calls upon The
Executive Secretary for Ethics, Justice
and Peace of the AEA (Association of
Evangelicals in Africa) to Denounce the
Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill
The Association of Evangelicals in Africa
(AEA) statement that "homosexuals are
worse than beasts" is pivotal in Other Sheep
East Africa's call for denouncement
New York, New York. February 13, 2010.
Today, in an open letter to Rev. Patson Netha, the
Executive Secretary for Ethics, Peace and Justice of the
Association of Evangelicals in Africa (AEA), Other Sheep
East Africa called upon the AEA to make a swift and clear
denouncement of the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality bill.
In the open letter, Other Sheep East Africa cites AEA's
publication of the Africa Bible Commentary in which a
featured article on homosexuality (at Romans chapter 1)
by Nigerian religious leader Yusufu Turaki states, among
other homophobic and intolerant assertions, that
"homosexuals are worse than beasts." The open letter
argues that AEA's Africa Bible Commentary, distributed
in Africa among evangelicals since its publication in
2006, can be used to infer that the AEA supports the
Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality bill.
The open letter calls upon the AEA to denounce the bill
and to distance itself from any inference that the Africa
Bible Commentary article is to be considered an
endorsement of the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill by
the Association of Evangelicals in Africa (AEA)
The open letter noted Zondervan Publishing House of
Grand Rapids, Michigan (USA), a major publisher of
scholarly evangelical writings, as co-publisher.
The open letter was signed by Other Sheep East Africa
Coordinators and other Other Sheep East Africa (OSEA)
personnel from Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and the United
States.
PRESS RELEASE
February 13, 2010
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Rev. Steve Parelli, Other Sheep Executive Director
sparelli2002@yahoo.com
718-360-0884
Other Sheep East Africa Calls upon The
Executive Secretary for Ethics, Justice
and Peace of the AEA (Association of
Evangelicals in Africa) to Denounce the
Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill
The Association of Evangelicals in Africa
(AEA) statement that "homosexuals are
worse than beasts" is pivotal in Other Sheep
East Africa's call for denouncement
New York, New York. February 13, 2010.
Today, in an open letter to Rev. Patson Netha, the
Executive Secretary for Ethics, Peace and Justice of the
Association of Evangelicals in Africa (AEA), Other Sheep
East Africa called upon the AEA to make a swift and clear
denouncement of the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality bill.
In the open letter, Other Sheep East Africa cites AEA's
publication of the Africa Bible Commentary in which a
featured article on homosexuality (at Romans chapter 1)
by Nigerian religious leader Yusufu Turaki states, among
other homophobic and intolerant assertions, that
"homosexuals are worse than beasts." The open letter
argues that AEA's Africa Bible Commentary, distributed
in Africa among evangelicals since its publication in
2006, can be used to infer that the AEA supports the
Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality bill.
The open letter calls upon the AEA to denounce the bill
and to distance itself from any inference that the Africa
Bible Commentary article is to be considered an
endorsement of the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill by
the Association of Evangelicals in Africa (AEA)
The open letter noted Zondervan Publishing House of
Grand Rapids, Michigan (USA), a major publisher of
scholarly evangelical writings, as co-publisher.
The open letter was signed by Other Sheep East Africa
Coordinators and other Other Sheep East Africa (OSEA)
personnel from Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and the United
States.
From: Stephen Parelli <sparelli2002@yahoo.com>
To: netha@mweb.co.zw
Cc: Michael Kimindu <mnk240@yahoo.com>
Sent: Sat, February 13, 2010 8:48:41 AM
Subject: AEA's official position on the Anti-Homosexuality Bill
AEA Commissions Member
Rev. Patson Netha:
Please inform me: Has the AEA officially denounced
the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill? Has the AEA
taken an official position of any kind on the Ugandan
Anti-Homosexuality Bill? I am writing you especially in
light of the following Other Sheep East Africa press
release:
- Other Sheep East Africa Press Release
- New York , New York. February 13, 2010
- Today, in an open letter to Rev. Patson Netha,
the Executive Secretary for Ethics, Peace and
Justice of the Association of Evangelicals in
Africa (AEA), Other Sheep East Africa called
upon the AEA to make a swift and clear
denouncement of the Ugandan Anti-
Homosexuality bill.
In the open letter, Other Sheep East Africa cites
AEA's publication of the Africa Bible Commentary
in which a featured article on homosexuality (at
Romans chapter 1) by Nigerian religious leader
Yusufu Turaki states, among other homophobic
and intolerant assertions, that "homosexuals
are worse than beasts." The open letter argues
that AEA's Africa Bible Commentary, distributed
in Africa among evangelicals since its publication
in 2006, can be used to infer that the AEA
supports the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality bill.
The open letter calls upon the AEA to denounce
the bill and to distance itself from any inference
that the Africa Bible Commentary article is to be
considered an endorsement of the Ugandan Anti-
Homosexuality Bill by the Association of
Evangelicals in Africa (AEA).
The open letter noted Zondervan Publishing
House of Grand Rapids, Michigan ( USA ), a
major publisher of scholarly evangelical writings,
as co-publisher.
The open letter was signed by Other Sheep East
Africa Coordinators and other Other Sheep East
Africa (OSEA) personnel from Uganda, Rwanda,
Kenya and the United States.
Rev. Steve Parelli
contact information:
Rev. Stephen R. Parelli
Other Sheep Executive Director
www.othersheep.org
www.othersheepexecsite.com
Ordination credentials: MCC (Metropolitan Community
Churches)
Dual church membership: MCCNY; The Riverside Church
(Baptist/UCC)
Home & Office
2962 Decatur Ave., 5D
Bronx, NY 10458
On February 13, 2010, the email that follows was sent
to the following AEA individuals officially associated
with AEA in different capaciteis as indicated on the
AEA webiste.
to the following AEA individuals officially associated
with AEA in different capaciteis as indicated on the
AEA webiste.
- Rev. Patson Netha
- James Lee (Won Kyoung Lee)
- Mr. Solomon Gacece
- Mr. Stephen Mugabi
- Rev. Dr. Mrs. Judy Mbugua
- Rev. Bayo Famonure
- Rev. Gilbert Okoronkwo
- Mr. Clement A. Ouko
- Mr. Otto de Bruijne
- Dr Douglas Carew
- Rev. Moses Alagbe and Mr Eric Amonoo-Zeizer,
jointly in the same email
Right: Africa Bible
Commentary in which is the
featured article "Homosexuality"
by Yusufu Turaki --
Commentary in which is the
featured article "Homosexuality"
by Yusufu Turaki --
- homosexuals are
"abnormal, unnatural and
a perversion" - rejection of Archbishop
Tutu's call for tolerance - same-sex sex as "coercive
sexual relationships" - censors all other views on
homosexuality - to be homosexual is to be
sinful
The Association of Evangelicals in Africa, in cooperation with
Zondervan Corporation of Grand Rapids, Michigan, published
the Africa Bible Commentary in 2006.
Zondervan Corporation of Grand Rapids, Michigan, published
the Africa Bible Commentary in 2006.
| This webpage was created and published February 13, 2010 Visits to this webpage since February 13, 2010 |
Above photo: Rev. Michael
Kimindu, Anglican priest,
MCC minister and Other
Sheep Coordinator for
East Africa. Monday,
August 4, 2008, at a
pre-recording for KISS
radio station, Nairobi,
Kenya, on the topic of
Other Sheep in East Africa.
Kimindu, Anglican priest,
MCC minister and Other
Sheep Coordinator for
East Africa. Monday,
August 4, 2008, at a
pre-recording for KISS
radio station, Nairobi,
Kenya, on the topic of
Other Sheep in East Africa.
 |
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| This page was archived March 2011 and is part of the Other Sheep East Africa archived pages. This page serves as part of an historical record of Other Sheep in Africa from July 2007 - February 2011 For current information regarding Other Sheep in Africa, go to Other Sheep in Africa. |
| This is an ARCHIVED PAGE |