The Convenient Prophets

I am thankful that more and more organizations and religious denominations are beginning to protest the proposed Ugandan law which seeks capitol punishment for anyone convicted of being "aggressively homosexual".

So far, the Church of Canada has a resolution expressing its "deep sense of alarm about this fundamental violation of human rights and, through diplomatic channels, to press for its withdrawal; and we ask the Primate to send this message to the appropriate bodies."

Even Randy Thomas, the Vice President of "Exodus International" - the organization of so-called "ex-gay" people, has made a statement - such as it is - against the Ugandan law.

Oh, by the way, that's Randy (unfortunate name for someone in his 'position') Thomas to your left.

'Ex-gay'?  My left foot!  There's no such thing!  That term is a total fantasy!   He may have stopped having sexual relationships with men, but that doesn't - would never - change the essential nature of his orientation. It certainly doesn't make him "ex-gay".

You'll find an excellent discussion on this topic over at OCICBW.  I am grateful to Jonathan for raising the subject and contributing to this important part of the conversation.

The news this morning brought the press release from the Global Ministries of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada.

They state:

"It is our humble opinion that the proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009 violates the rights of God's children in Uganda. It punishes the free association and expression that is necessary for a flourishing civil society, and creates a climate of fear and hostility which undermines the citizenship and solidarity of all Ugandans."

And,

"Because the bill also prohibits any organizing around sexual orientation, it will make it difficult, if not impossible, to do effective HIV prevention activities in Uganda, which rely on an ability to talk frankly about sexuality and provide condoms and other safer-sex material."

Religion Dispatches has been on the case in terms of the bigger pictures of the relationship between American Evangelicals and the Evangelical Churches in Africa.

Yesterday's post "The Anit-Gay Highway" features an investigation which was commissioned by PRA, Political Research Associates (the organization which was most recently headed up by the Rev'd Dr. Katharine Ragsdale, now President and Dean of The Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge,, MA), that clearly details the role that US-based renewal church movements have played in mobilizing homophobic sentiment in at least three African countries.

The report is authored by Rev. Kapya Kaoma, an Anglican priest and doctoral candidate at Boston University. You can read the interview with Kaoma and Religion Dispatches here.

So, let's recap here: Organizations around the globe are writing to the Ugandan Government to express their concern or make known their outrage over the proposed Ugandan law. (Read more about that law here.)

The United Church of Christ and the Disciples of Christ, two organizations which have had a long history of working in Uganda against the local manifestations of the global pandemic of HIV/AIDS, have also registered their protest.

Even the boyz over at Exodus can see that the proposed Ugandan law is a serious breach of Human Rights.

I don't expect the same from the uber-Christian Calvinists on our side, but that doesn't mean I don't have any expectations.

Where is the expression of 'outrage' from Anglican bishops in Uganda?

Why the silence from Katharine Jefferts Schori, our Presiding Bishop and Primate?

Where is the voice of 'concern' from the Archbishop of Canterbury?

Interesting, eh, how Lambeth Resolutions are used to remind LGBT Anglicans that they are not living lives that are 'compatible with Scripture' - but they forget their own promises of pastoral care of same said LGBT heathens?

I suppose they save their outrage and prophetic voices for moments when it is convenient for them.

Hell, at this point, I would even take the practiced raise eyebrow and the grave, modulated voice of Anglican concern.

I mean, it's not like it's a Major Human Rights Emergency or anything. The law has not ACTUALLY passed their Parliament and made it to the books.

But, it would be at least 'nice' - and God knows, we're all about 'nice' in the Anglican Communion - to hear a word or two from the Religious Leaders of our Church.

You know. At their 'earliest possible convenience'.

Or, as we used to say in the 60s and 70s:

If you're not outraged,

 you're not paying attention.