By Gerald Nkisu Katayi
Human rights campaigners want their voices heard and homosexuality legalized around the world. A few years ago, it was a distant Western ideology that had no room in Zambian culture and it was regarded as taboo to even talk about. Now everything has changed, homosexuality is being debated upon in Parliament. Should homosexuality be legalized in Zambia? To those in “the rights movements” speaking against homosexuality is as bad as hate crime. Why is it coming with so much force?
Zambians are tribal people who are informed by their traditions and religion. Which tribe in Zambia espouses homosexuality? And which religion supports these tendencies? If none of the traditions or religions is into homosexuality; is homosexuality then a foreign phenomenon?[pullquote]who are these minority Zambians behind the homosexual talk? If they are the minority, how come they have the money and the publicity? Is this donor money? If yes, homosexuality is foreign and Zambian are selling their souls because of poverty.[/pullquote]
If it is foreign, then it should be disregarded and forgotten. But, may be not! The vice president is on record, confirming that a prominent journalist/ lawyer who is Zambian is gay. Is this an isolated case? Some voices are quietly in support of homosexuality while one politician is being accused of promising gay right once voted into office. Are some Zambians truly homosexuals?
Some reports prove that Africans speaking in favor of homosexuality are in fact doing it just for monetary gain; they are not genuinely seeking change in their life style. As Zambians continue to debate on this matter here is a biblical view to help Christians make an informed decision.
First, homosexuality is the manifestation of sexual desire toward a member of one’s own sex (The Greek word homos mean the same). A lesbian is a female homosexual. More recently the term “gay” which meant “happy” few years ago has come into popular use to refer to both sexes who are homosexuals.
This understanding is based solely upon the Bible, the divinely inspired Word of God. Homosexuality is sinful. That is the bottom line. Apostle Paul, writing by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, declared that homosexuals “shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (I Corinthians 6:9; 10).
Homosexuality is an illicit lust forbidden by God. He said to His people Israel, “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination” (Leviticus 18:22). “If a man also lies with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them” (Leviticus 20:13). In these passages homosexuality is condemned as a prime example of sin, a sexual perversion.
In the Bible sodomy is a synonym for homosexuality. God spoke plainly on the matter when He said, “There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel” (Deuteronomy 23:17). The whore and the sodomite are in the same category. A sodomite was neither an inhabitant of Sodom nor a descendant of an inhabitant of Sodom, but a man who had given himself to homosexuality, the perverted and unnatural vice for which Sodom was known.
The Bible rules out homosexuality. With this theory of understanding in mind, other religions and traditions have their own cause against legalizing homosexuality in Zambia. The majority of Zambians are religious and traditionalist; that can be seen in their worship and the thousands that attend traditional ceremonies across the country. They are anti gay! If this is a true reflection and description of many Zambians; a question that remains is, who are these minority Zambians behind the homosexual talk? If they are the minority, how come they have the money and the publicity? Is this donor money? If yes, homosexuality is foreign and Zambian are selling their souls because of poverty.
its sata who is courting this debate for reasons best known to himself. I guess his vuvuzela who is strongly believed to be gay has convinced sata that their is nothing with one plugging his dick into the arse of another man. catholic bishops are the worst culprits in the practice of homosexuality. celibacy life has led bakatolika mukulya utwaice pamatoko. thats why bishop milingo and simon kabanda gave up fatherhood and married
The irony in quoting the old testament which most christians reject to observe because apparently it has been done away with. How can you pick and choose what part of the bible which applies to who and who, these religions nowadays are like buffet’s you pick what you want. I don’t like homo’s but I think it’s very hypocritical to tell them what to do using the bible and then in the same vein become silent on what the bible tells you to do. If people want to live like homo’s let them be because at the end of the day that sin falls on them not you. But if you are going to quote the bible to condemn homo’s you might as well quote it in condemning christian doctrines which are false and heretic, to me a homo is no different from a liar,crook, christmas worshipp and an adulterer both are…
# 2 – point of correction … Christ came not to abolish the old testament (law & the prophets) but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17-18). This points to the existence of an ultimate PURPOSE that the old covenant fell short of achieving but which fortunately has been achieved under the new covenant. Sin has remained sin regardless of the covenant – fornication, murder, etc; including homosexuality.
Viva Moon Yellow!!!!!!!!!!!
#2 Slum dog christians do not reject the old testament.Christ came to fulfil what was written in the old testament.Now to the topic at hand.I think its simple anatomy.The gastro intestinal system is meant to digest assimilate or absorb nutrients and discard the waste products at the rear end.Does it make sense to start inserting reproductive appendages in this system….such an abomination!!!!!.These are the last days indeed.Let the west have their so called human rights leave us Africans alone.Its not part of our religion or tradition.
#5 You might want to look in the christian doctrine of supercession and deicide to see why christians .Why do you think christianity is doesn’t keep old testament festivals like passover, pentecost , day of atonement, don’t obey kosher food laws, etc and rather keep man made churech laws like christmas, easter, eat pork , worship on the first day of the week. Christians rejected the old testament in the 3rd century because most of the pagans in Rome didn’t want to obey but rather keep their pagan rites of worship. Why do you think the church adopted so many pagan rituals and yet biblical ones are rejected
~3 I never said the law was abolished I said christians believe so, I am on the other hand believe and know the law still stands . What am trying to point out is the hypocrisy of christians who pick and choose what parts of the bible to use to condemn others. If you are going to quote leviticus to condemn Homo’s why don’t you quote the whole leviticus to condemn christians? Doesn’t the book of leviticus 23 tell you to keep the festivals? but funny enough christians rejected these calling them jewish when they are not. How can a law transgressor who has rejected the law condemn another transgressor to keep the law, foolishness at it’s best.
this is a sin that should not be tolerated..The Post newspaper has some people who are gay but that should not worry us much..let them go to some countries where its legalised and do what they want..we shall stone them..
do Bembas like homosexuality ayi..most fellas that i know are bembas..whats up with them..?
# 2 slumdog, remember one thing my brother, Zambia is a christian nation so it will be absurd to allow non christian value in our society. You are very right to say that there is no difference between a homo and a murderer, adulterer, thief, rapist, fornicator, liar the list goes on. so if you are really saying we should allow homosexuality, which is an christian, then we might aswell argue that murder should be legalized in Zambia, since they all fall under the same umbrella.
Hi Mwatayanvo,Are you bemba you sound like you would like to me to fill in from behind,You seem to be so into this Homo thing maybe we can get together sometime.Love Tony
So its true, what they say, that the only thing dark about africa is its IGNORANCE!
this is one of the worst written article I have come across. The bible is full of verses that approave slaverly, second class treatment of women, and even shaving one’s facial hair. Why have we ignored them? Please let gays live their lives alone. By the way, why is it that it is my bussiness who goes to bed with? Lusaka times, solicit better articles on the subject!
Tony Montana says:
November 8, 2010 at 7:43 pmHi Mwatayamvo,Are you bemba you sound like you would like to me to fill in from behind,You seem to be so into this Homo thing maybe we can get together sometime.Waiting to hear from you soon,I have tried Senior citizen,Lady GAGAS is a transversitite who has since changed his /her name to Alejanderol.I was thinking maybe we could have an orge. Love Tony
Complain about this comment
SLUM DANG SHALAPUNGU is very correct.Why do you need the bible to condemn gay people ?If somebody wants to be gay leave them thats their own sin,i thought christ said if you break 1 commandemant is just like breaking all of them,what differenciate an adulterer, a thief, someone who aborts etc to a guy person if you are judging them by the bible?this nonsense of saying zambia is a christian nation is out of proportion.Isreal where Jesus christ himself was born is not a christian nation,even the british who introduced you to christianity are not that religious.Foolishness and hypocrisy in zambia.Nowander you will never develop.
Christian people, or people of any religion for that matter! Who has bewitched you that you should go back to the beggarly elements of the law? Salvation is by grace and through faith. A homosexual person sins no less that a lier, a fornicator, a hateful person etc. None of these sins are crimes! What makes a sin a crime is when another individual or property of another is harmed! Indeed we have laws against adultery, polygamy, and slander (libel) because ANOTHER person is injured. Homosexuality should not be a criminal offence simply because it is a conscious act of consenting individuals! Who has ever gone to prison for whoredom? Yes, we fine prostitutes, for soliciting because that is imposing on another with or without their consent!
the responsibility of a civilised government is to protect people and property from being harmed by another. That is why we jail thieves, murderers, brawlers, causers of bodily harm, abortionists, and so on. It is a strange fact that most people who are homophobic, have hidden homosexual tendencies themselves! Most people who kill prostitutes also use prostitutes but the feeling of guilt makes them feel justified in their acts. Homosexuality is un-natural and there may be a reason for why some people do it. It is a sign of the revelation of god’s anger against fallen humanity as a whole not individuals! But God has shows the right way of life IN His Son Jesus, so that all are saved freely, through faith in Him. Christianity is easy because Christ did the impossible.
This activity may be repugnant to some people, but that is not a reason to ostracise those who engage in it. We may not like what they do, but who made you better than they? The selfsame people who condem homosexuals also have a closet full of kids sired outside wedlock, cheat the government of tax, beat up their wives and lie day in and day out! Not only so, some look lustfully upon women and every imagination of their heart is only evil continually! Jesus never attacked anyone for their individual sin, except hypocrisy! Wearing a mask in public of what you are not in private before God is damnable. Paul warned against Christians who had been converted reverting to live in the sins catalogued in 1 Cor 6. He was writing to ‘Saints’ at Corinth, not unconverted people!
Similarly in the Old testament, Israelites alone, had a covenant with God in which they agreed with Him to do certain things, like obey His commandments and so on, and then He would keep His side of the bargain! They lamentably failed to keep the law in ALL its aspects! Then, God promised a NEW covenant which will work from INSIDE by the promised Holy Spirit, and not only that but God’s law will be fully kept by His Son and ALL the merits that come from keeping the law perfectly will be IN puted to the account of all sinners who receive this as a gift freely without any merit of their own!! Oh! What a Saviour! Christianity is NOT a matter of ‘do this’ don’t do that’ it is a matter of just opening your hands like a child getting sweeties from a parent and saying, ‘thank you!’
# 2 slumdog shalapungu,
Who cheated you that the old testament has been rejected by the body of christ?
Here be told that the word of God is the same yesterday, today and forever more from generation to generation.
The word of God is infallible just like God is omniportent
You read (I Corinthians 6:9; 10) and many more we stand to walk you through. Sodomy, bestiality or call it homosexuality is abomination before our God Jehovah.
#20 everyone knows that the word of God is the same yestaday today and forever,but many scriptures in the bible have been practically impossible,for example in the new tastament where Paul was telling people of corinth that its not good for a woman to stand in front of men, every woman should talk through their husbands e.t.c thats what we call sexism now and its not acceptable.You cant use the bible in modern day human rights matters that is practically impossible.Its just like killing a person then appear before the judge and say its the devil who temped me and expect to be prayed for and acquited.The world has many complicated issues now.
SEnior citizen do you know that false pagan festivals are abominations as well? Tell me senior citizen since you christians have not rejected the body of christ when is the last time you kept passover??? and better yet why not show us where the supposed body of christ got christmas and easter from because thats definately not from the bible. Christianity teaches that teh new testament replaced the old testament which stupidly the disciples and the messiah obeyed the old testament. Christianity should change it’s name to churchianity because you guys don’t take the word of bible seriously instead you take your churches more seriously even when they teach you things of the devil
Let me just say this with no regard for anyone’s feelings. We as Africans laid the foundations of civilization. Taught Moses how to partition Israel into their governing heirachy. How can people we gave knowledge today want to poison a great people. These are the decendants of the people that murdered 100 million Alkebulanians( Africans ) during the slave run. We would have been a billion plus on the continent with our own paths had the same greedy westerners not partitioned our continent. Don’t forget history my golden people, of the order of king Solomon. Let homoness stay greek and European period.
It’s about time Africa stood up and realized like the Chinese did what 850 million plus means in a market and untapped knowledge. Inferiority complexes Zambians should die today. Fear not the world for what can they do to you but only end your life, God can end your life and end your souls aswell. Fear the Lord your God Jehovah with all your hearts and serve him only. They know to inact the one world foolishness the need the cradle of the worlds civilization broken. We are a humble people that has been sold-out by our leaders and good men sitting back and doing nothing. Rise Africa and speak up for once.
What is this preoccupation with homosexuality. The fact is that even in countries where gays are not persecuted, it is not socially acceptable to be gay. This means that Zambians are wasting their time debating this issue, since they will continue doing this for the next hundred years and nothing will change. They will still be that girl that fancies other girls! So why do people continue talking about this issue? Well, it is one way of gaining political capital over your opponents if you accuse them to be gay. Most of the accusations are difficult to prove and it all comes down to demonising innocent people and witchhunting. Why should it bother an individual what other people do behind closed doors. Political leaders need to concentrate on development matters other than hate-mongering.
Homosexuality has been with man since time immemorial, & will be for a long time to come whether in the open or “hidden in the wardrobes”. So a mere waste of time getting heated about it, it’s down to preferences, though not mine I should hasten to add!
1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both
male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A
friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can
you clarify? Why can’t I own Canadians?
2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as
sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do
you think would be a fair price for her?
3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while
she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness – Lev.15: 19-24. The problem
is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know
it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord – Lev.1:9. The
problem is, my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should
I smite them?
5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath.Exodus 35:2.
clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him
myself, or should I ask the police to do it?
6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating
shellfish is an abomination – Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than
homosexuality. I don’t agree. Can you settle this? Are there ‘degrees’ of
abomination?
7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of
God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I
wear reading glasses. Does my vision…
Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some
wiggle- room here?
8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed,
including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly
forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?
9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a
dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting
two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments
made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends
to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the
trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16.
Couldn’t we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do
with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)
I know you have studied these things extensively and thus
enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I am
confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us
that God’s word is eternal and unchanging
#s 3 & 7
Yes there are scriptures in both Leviticus and Romans that indicate that homosexuality is a sin. One of the problems is that both of these passages are taken out of context to do what is said in #7, condemn homosexuality over and against other sins. The problem with this, and with all of Christian treatment toward “sinners” is that we are all sinners. Why do Christians neglect some of the most cited passages in scripture; for instance, “don’t judge lest you will be judged,” “take the log out of your eye before you take the splinter out of your neighbors,” and “love your neighbor as yourself. Who is our neighbor? Jesus pitted the most hated person among the Jews, the Samaritan, as the neighbor to be loved. See more at my blog: whatjesusdiddo.blogspot.com
God…
I hate to break it to you but there is no such thing as god. Who were we worshipping before the Europeans brought the bible? Where is he now? Does it mean that all Africans that existed before the bible was introduced have all gone to hell by default? Come on! Get real. There are a lot more problems in the world than who is sleeping with whom.
Hope this discussion is still open coz I just want to add one thought to it by asking one question. Is the Bible Zambian or foreign?