The Anti-Homosexuality bill has just been signed into Law in the country and has sparked a lot of controversy especially in the religious angle. Many have refused to comment on the issue due to its high sensitivity and tendency to cause a misinterpretation of reason. Anyone who should say anything to oppose any article of the law will risk being considered gay. This has happened to many religious leaders who have not openly condemned homosexual people in the west. This piece is not intended to encourage homosexuality therefore, I am never in support of the act. I am also totally in support of the ban on the gay marriage in Nigeria. I recognize the move by the country to maintain the good design of nature and I consider such as a good move filled with good intentions. However this piece is intended to urge Christians who use Bible portions to support the prosecution (in this situation,jail term) for homosexuals to have a rethink. What would Christ have done if we took the homosexuals to Him?
Christians make reference to the law in Leviticus 18:22: "You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination". Other verses of the Bible also condemn homosexuality as it is against God's original design and this is true. But it is worthy of note that the Bible also condemned adultery, idolatry and many other sins as in I Corinthians 6:9-11: "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." Therefore if the Bible was used to justify us on the prosecution of these people then it should also be enough justification for the prosecution of the adulterers, the greedy and the drunkards. But before we run to condemn let us look at what people like us did in John 8:1-11:
1. but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
2. At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around
him, and he sat down to teach them.
3. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought
in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group
4. and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.
5. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?”
6. They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.
7. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
8. Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.
10. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
11. “No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
This portion clearly shows that Jesus is not comfortable in condemning people but he condemns sin. During the encounter He recommended salvation for this woman and not condemnation. So if JESUS asked us to cast the first stone on this people if we are without sin then can any of us do that? Why then do we gain joy in condemning them?
The jail term apportioned for the offenders of this law by the Nigerian government is only putting fear in the minds of the homosexuals but it solves none of their problem being psychological. Like many other psychological defects, homosexuality is an emotional disorder just like masturbation and it should be treated as a psychological disease and not a crime. AIDS is a communicable disease, the infected ones pose danger to the health of the society but yet they cannot be incarcerated as this is a medical misfortune. It is in my opinion therefore that the jail term for these homosexuals will not change their disorder and as such, rehabilitation and not imprisonment should be considered.
To sum it up however, I have my questions. Homosexuality, like masturbation being emotional defects, do not select her preys. The rich are even the major doers and promoters of these acts (proof unavailable) and so I want to ask, if the child of you a Senator who voted for this bill, or the child of you the President who signed this bill, or the child of you the clergy and you citizens who supports this bill should possess this sexual anomaly, would you hand him over to the police or would you rather seek councilling for the child and leave the matter unpopular? Or is this another law aimed at oppressing the poor and unconnected unfortunates? Therefore I must urge, that we should not do unto others what we wouldn't want them do unto us. I think that is also in the Scripture. Rehabilitation and not condemnation is my recommendation. And to the homosexuals, na wa for una sef o. Change your ways abeg e no good. If your parents did that would you be here? You are having emotional defects and you are always in control of your mind so control it. If you are a Christian then you are lucky, believe in Jesus and your deliverance from such addictions through faith in Christ is certain. Pray and give your life to Christ, there is hope for you. Thank you are God bless Nigeria.
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