It’s not even the laws which Europe had, is it? But something worse.
Warren wouldn’t condemn Uganda’s law:
But Warren won’t go so far as to condemn the legislation itself. A request for a broader reaction to the proposed Ugandan anti-homosexual laws generated this response: “The fundamental dignity of every person, our right to be free, and the freedom to make moral choices are gifts endowed by God, our creator. However, it is not my personal calling as a pastor in America to comment or interfere in the political process of other nations.” On Meet the Press this morning, he reiterated this neutral stance in a different context: “As a pastor, my job is to encourage, to support. I never take sides.” Warren did say he believed that abortion was “a holocaust.” He knows as well as anyone that in a case of great wrong, taking sides is an important thing to do.
Martin Ssempa who has visited Saddleback several times has suggested that in the midst of the AIDS holocaust in Africa (not spread by homosexuality, but sometimes by the belief that more sexual relations will actually cure AIDS) burned condoms “in the name of Jesus,”
Rick does have a stake in Uganda, by the way, as it is part of his international PEACE plan.
From here:
Megachurch pastor Rick Warren launched a national Purpose Driven Living programme in Uganda over the weekend aimed at helping the country’s leaders live purposeful lives that will build up their nation.
Churches, business and government leaders gathered Friday and Saturday to listen to the best-selling author of The Purpose Driven Life explain how to live a life of purpose and make a difference in the world.
“Our hope and prayer is that lives will be transformed and churches will be strengthened,” Warren said in Uganda, according to the programme’s publicity team.
“My message to individuals is to build your life on purpose, instead of prestige, possessions or pleasure. My challenge to churches is to cooperate, not compete,” he added, “and my challenge to business and government leaders is to use their influence for the glory of God and partner with local churches in solving community problems.”
The Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Uganda, the Most Rev Henry Luke Orombi, recalled initially wanting to invite Warren to Uganda after seeing the Purpose Driven Living programme implemented in Rwanda.
Uganda is the second east African country to invite Warren to bring the Purpose Driven Life and Church leadership training programme to the country on a national scale. The first east African country to adopt the programme nationwide was Rwanda in 2005.
“I asked, why not Uganda as well?” recalled Orombi, who spearheaded the effort to bring different denominations together with business and government leaders to invite Warren.
“Uganda should be a purpose-driven nation as well,” the Anglican archbishop said. “But it takes people of purpose to build purpose driven-churches, purpose-driven communities, and a purpose-driven country. Someday, we will have a purpose-driven continent!”
According to Dr Hamlet K Mbabazi, the former Member of Parliament who headed the organising committee, Warren – through his best-selling book – “has challenged us to go deeper into the Bible so we can grow stronger and reach out wider, knowing that God has called us to make a difference for Him.”
“God has brought Pastor Warren, who has been a blessing to the world, to Uganda for such a time as this,” he added.
During a meeting with Ugandan church leaders, the American megachurch pastor said that he believes the future of Christianity is not in Europe or North America, but in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Warren also met with First Lady Janet Museveni to discuss the PEACE Plan – a global plan to fight the world’s biggest problems – and spoke to students at Uganda Christian University.
One non-Christian business leader told the event organiser, “For the first time, the Gospel made sense to me.”
Uganda is the first of three African countries Warren was scheduled to visit during his 12-day trip.
On Sunday, the Purpose Driven pastor headed to Rwanda to join President Paul Kagame in leading a national rally in Amahoro (Peace) Stadium in the nation’s capital to launch a nationwide 40 Days of Purpose campaign.
Warren serves on the President’s Advisory Council of Rwanda which will be meeting later this week.
While in Rwanda, Warren and his wife Kay will also participate in a White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives conference in Kigali and inspect their Western Rwanda Healthcare Initiative – a PEACE plan project that is training churches to provide health care in partnerships with hospitals and the Ministry of Health.
Warren will later visit Nairobi to meet with church leaders in response to recent violence following the Kenya elections.
Can’t we proclaim a life without sin and not have laws such as Uganda?
Rick Warren flat-out lied that he doesn’t want to comment on another country’s laws…he does it all the time.
Someone please explain how Christians can routinely cause, call for, and/or tacitly approve the slaughter of people who don’t fit their mold of how to live? Even giving the appearance of this evil is abhorrent. I suppose I didn’t realize that there was such vagary in the Christian community about government-sanctioned murder, what with all their “pro-life” rallies.
Bottom line: an under-developed fetus is more valuable to Christians than a gay adult. DISGUSTING!
Oh, but Christians will find some magic way to become the victim in this story…
Robert, I think it is wholly unfair to generalize all Christians, don’t you think? There are plenty of Christians who are condemning the behaviour of Uganda in this, and indeed, calling on Warren to use his special position to call for the appeal of these laws. Generalization is an ugly thing, I believe.
Is it not a generalization to say that all generalization is bad? (j/k)
http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2009/11/american-right-wing-christians-behind.html
Prominent Christian leaders who are supported by thousands of followers want to kill gay people just for being gay.
And you’re worried about the impoliteness of generalizing?
I am worried about the dangers of generalization. Case in point – all homosexuals are pedophiles and have AIDS (a stupid one because plenty of heterosexuals are pedophiles as well.) It causes anger and hatred against the entire group when the entire group is generalized based on a small, small number.
Further, while the President of Uganda is claiming the name of Christ in doing what he is doing, there is not evidence that he has ‘converted.’ Further, such reactions against homosexuals is not foreign on the African continent. What is troubling about this, is the amount of Evangelical support (The Family, etc..) that Uganda is receiving in this, and yes, refusing to condemn this is passive support.
OF PASTOR RICK & KAY WARREN
REGARDING ACTIVITIES OF MARTIN SSEMPA IN UGANDA
Martin Ssempa does not represent me, my wife Kay, Saddleback Church, nor the Global PEACE Plan strategy. In 2007, we completely severed contact with Mr. Ssempa when we learned that his views and actions were in serious conflict with our own. Our role, and the role of the PEACE Plan, whether in Uganda or any other country, is always pastoral and never political. We vigorously oppose anything that hinders the goals of the PEACE Plan: Promoting reconciliation, Equipping ethical leaders, Assisting the poor, Caring for the sick, and Educating the next generation.
Angie, Rick has taken a political stance in Uganda with his PEACE plan. Surely, he can condemn these laws if he wants too.
Angie: Since when is it such a big deal for a Christian minister to reaffirm his support for the 10 Commandments??
I would assume, Robert, that Angie is a forerunner for Rick. Sometimes, the big namers have PR people do these comments.