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Warren Calls Bill 'Unjust', 'Extreme' and 'Unchristian'
NEW YORK -- Truth Wins Out thanked Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church, today for releasing a YouTube Statement condemning the "Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009" that is currently before the Ugandan Parliament. Lisa Darden, a talent agent and filmmaker working on a film about reconciling the Christian and GLBT communities, coordinated the statement with Warren's church.
"We applaud Rick Warren for speaking out with force and clarity on a bill that would lead to the persecution and prosecution of gay and lesbian Ugandans," said Wayne Besen, Executive Director of Truth Wins Out. "Today, Warren showed true moral courage and stood for what is right and just. We urge other leading pastors and world leaders to stand up and condemn Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill."
In the video, Warren said he was taking "the extraordinary step of speaking to you, the pastors of Uganda and the spiritual leaders of your nation." He unequivocally condemned the legislation as "extreme, unjust and unchristian towards homosexuals". He also urged Ugandan pastors to "speak out against this proposed law."
18 Comments:
I wouldn't mind betting he only made the statement under pressure from activists and others and to distance himself from any input in the Uganda legislation about to be enacted. He's a sleaze no matter what he says.
This from the man who recently said, "It is not my personal calling as a pastor in America to comment or interfere in the political process of other nations."
Rick Warren helped fan the incendiary flames of anti-gay hate that currently burn in Uganda. And now he'd like to put out the fire?
posted by Politicalmark, at
12/10/2009 1:27 PM
Rick Warren is generally a moderate, especially compared to other in the "religious right." Many of them are realizing that overt homophobia isn't the way to go, and that is a good thing, at least compared to the old style, bigoted "messengers of God."
Rachel Maddow has done an EXCELLENT JOB reporting on this Uganda abomination. She filleted that anti-gay wacko, Richard Cohen, on her program two nights ago. Cohen claimed that his book didn't defame homosexuals, and she quoted his book, verbatim, back to him, when he said, "Most child molesters are homosexual..." ad nauseum.
Cohen then said that he wold be "removing that part" from his "next printing." She caught him red-handed. He looked like a buffoon. This Uganda bill is pathetic; what's more, it apparently has big support from "The Family," that "secretive" Christian organization in Washington D.C. that's filled with adulterous hypocrites.
posted by Chris L., at
12/10/2009 2:34 PM
I do not think we should be flipping head over heels over people who do the right thing. That is what i was raised to think of as expected. I understand that it is better to hear this than the usual hate but i am not gawking over this charlatan. He has a very warped and biased hidden agenda. It is written all over his face. No brownie points from me.
posted by ewe, at
12/10/2009 2:48 PM
Rick Warren helped fan the incendiary flames of anti-gay hate that currently burn in Uganda. And now he'd like to put out the fire?
Yes, that's very true Wayne. I know your heart is in the right place. I just don't think Warrens is. I will not let myself ever trust someone like him. Everytime i look at him, i feel like the ugly reincarnation of Falwells spirit is inside. I suspect he is saying what he is saying to disassociate himself from this more than his desire to put any fire out or any discrimination to rest. Sorry Wayne, I am not a nice person sometimes and i frankly don't want to start with him. But i do happen to think you are wonderful and genuine too.
posted by ewe, at
12/10/2009 6:29 PM
Check this story out, it gives a far better insight into what is going on in Uganda and U.S. involvement. You can bet all of the Americans involved are republicans.
This is not about rewarding Warren or praising him. He is culpable in this mess. We all know this. But, we also need to see if he can stop this bill before it becomes law.
posted by Wayne Besen, at
12/16/2009 9:26 PM
