I have a problem with ignorance. I have an even bigger problem with those who promote it. I stumbled upon one of these promoters in the Washington Post and I felt compelled to do something about, hence this blog.

This promoter goes by the name of Michael Gerson and he is the author of an article titled “Faith, folly and Uganda’s Homosexuality Bill”. Judging by this title, one would expect an interesting discussion on how one’s sexual orientation can have political implications in a Christian nation. Instead, you find the ramblings of a very uninformed and manipulative preacher.

The article begins with the author stating that “They [Ugandan Christian leaders] misunderstand an important commitment of their own faith.”.

Who is more confused? The Ugandan Christian Leaders or the author? “God” is very clear and there is nothing to misunderstand, in Leviticus 18:22:

“Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; it is an abomination” (Lev 18:22)

…and in case you did not understand it the first time, it’s written again in Leviticus 20:13:

“If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is  detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.” (Lev. 20:13)

Did you notice that homosexuality among women is of no interest to “God”? (more on this subject in the future).

The author later states that “Pluralism and tolerance have advanced in countries with a Christian cultural background, not in spite of religious belief but largely because of it.”

Completely dishonest statement, the author fails to mention how this is in any way historically accurate. For example: Denial of women’s rights, burnings at the stake for studying astronomy, witch hunts, the crusades, slavery, and so on. These are all products of a Christian faith with very little tolerance for fellow man.

By now, one begins to wonder why all this bullshit? when suddenly I read this: “It is a teaching of faith that human beings are ultimately responsible for their souls to God alone”. Now we’re getting somewhere, the author is giving a sermon! Like most, if not all, Christian sermons, the focus is on trying to cover up one of the biggest lies in the history of man. Let’s take another example from this article and quickly prove my point:

“Pluralism is not a temporary or tragic compromise; it is the proper way to treat men and women created free and autonomous in God’s image.”

Let’s briefly review what “God” thinks of women:

“Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church” (1 Cor. 14:34-35)

“A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.” (1 Timothy 2:11-12)

For more on the author’s idea on “men and women created free and autonomous in God’s image“, please see Genesis 19:6-8, Exodus 23:17, Leviticus 12:1-5, Numbers 5:11-31, Numbers 30, Deuteronomy 22:13-21, Deuteronomy 22:28-29, Deuteronomy 24:1, Deuteronomy 25:11-12, Judges 19:16-30, and 2 Chronicles 36:23.

The authors continues his sermon and creates a false image of what Christian values are. Can it be to appeal to a Christian audience? Of course not, the author is trying to create an argument, no matter how false, to prevent the educated mind from asking the question about what the Bible actually says.  I find this very manipulative.

The author continues…

“Which brings us to Uganda. The proposed law requiring the reporting and punishment of homosexuals is not only an improper role for government, it also directly undermines the public good. Uganda is a nation struggling with a 5.4 percent rate of AIDS infection. Laws like this one simply drive men who have sex with men underground. They don’t learn prevention. They don’t get tested for the virus. They don’t receive timely treatment. They may continue to spread the disease to others. Public health authorities lose an accurate epidemiological picture of the disease, undermining their ability to craft a response. And the social stigma against AIDS increases, making everyone less likely to be tested.”

The author finally gets to the point! It takes 5 paragraphs of preaching (never mind that it’s well below the fold) before the author addresses the focus of this article, but not without repeating “God’s” commandment to the readers and reinforcing the idea that homosexuality is when a man lays with another man. It’s hard to catch, but it’s there in the middle.

Now the author brings in some references: “GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley describes it as an “un-Christian and unjust proposal. Pastor Rick Warren concludes it is “unjust, extreme and un-Christian toward homosexuals.” The best part is when the author admits that “All three are right”.

Apparently, Mr. Grassley and Mr. Warren have never read the Bible. The author is trying to add credibility to his article and continues his false argument that this is un-Christian.

The entire article reads like a sermon by apologetics of the Christian faith. The author knows that Uganda is a Christian nation and understands the simple logic behind their ridiculous legislation proposed (could it be because it comes from a ridiculous book written by the Christian “God”?). The author spends more time talking about religious garbage than concentrating on the seriousness of the proposed Ugandan legislation. For a serious review on this subject I recommend this article: Uganda’s Outrageous New Sex Law.

I find that the author is not qualified to write such things in a newspaper with such mass appeal on the American population by considering more important to defend the Christian faith than address the seriousness of the issue. Reminds me of how the Christian church is more interested in covering up the abuse of children by their own clergy than bringing the perpetrators to justice.

In conclusion, the author should put his own words into action: “No one can ultimately coerce the conscience, and no one should try”. Michael Gerson is both, hypocritical and manipulative.

Thank you for reading,

Notes:

1) All Bible quotes taken from New International Version

2) Faith, folly and Uganda’s anti-homosexuality bill
By Michael Gerson, Friday, December 18, 2009
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/17/AR2009121703673.html