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How American evangelicals may be responsible for Uganda’s anti-gay law
While Ugandan President Museveni accuses the United States of trying to import social imperialism into Uganda by defending homosexual rights, who do you think is behind some of the anti-gay hysteria in Uganda right now?
A group of evangelical Christians from that very same hotbed of social imperialism: the United States of America.
Museveni on Monday signed into law a bill that toughens penalties against gay people and defines some homosexual acts as crimes punishable by life in prison.
Roger Ross Williams belonged to an organization called International House of Prayer in Missouri, whose missionary zeal fell on gays in Uganda. He decided to make a film about what he learned called “God Loves Uganda.”
Someone like evangelist Scott Lively is “an extremist in America,” Williams said, “but when he goes to Uganda he gets taken seriously because of what he represents.”
“He’s an American evangelical, and what an American represents in a place like Uganda – it represents power and wealth.”
“So he goes to Uganda and he can command the president, he can command the parliament for five hours. He did a three-day conference, where he told everyone about the threat of homosexuality, that they were there to recruit their children.”
“And that’s what really sort of started this whole bill on its, where it is now, today, this sort of tragic day.”
Click above to watch Amanpour’s full conversation with Williams.
@camanpour on Twitter
The backlash on gay people in Africa began when the US and EU deemed it fit to FORCE African countries to ACCEPT IT. It took over three hundred years to stop slavery, end segregation and elect a black Amerian president. American evangelicals or not, if gay people's right are to be respected, The US and EU should change their approach to Africa and pursue dialogue PATIENTLY and persistently. The era of "do as i say" is long gone
So we should encourage them to kill subsets of their countrymen?
Like we should have patiently accepted apartheid in South Africa? Had we done that, it would still be there and Mandela would have died in jail.
You should revisit your history books. America was not proactive in the abolition of apartheid. In fact, it put Nelson Mandela on its terrorist watch-out list. Reagan even maintained that the USA had a friendly relationship with the apartheid government. Most independence movements in Africa were not supported by the American government and in most cases, the USA supported the ruling colonial powers.
It amazing how reporters can disort stories. The Ugandan Government passed a law and it American evangelist take the blame. It the power of persuassion.
So everytime your view comes second best then the other side is labelled extremist.
The same with St Patrick's Day parade, gay group dont want to join the parade for what it represent but to use it to promote thier cause. They were rightfully denied from doing so. They are allow to join the parade for what it represent and follow the rules. They refused to abide and now the organisers are at fault.
People need to wake up, not all people align themselves to a given view. You will get opposition it goes without saying.
What needs to happen is that there should now be call for all Irish to boycott Guiness because they refuse to respect your parade for what it is.
Thank you CNN for showing the role of American Evangelicals in this mess. The major Evangelical organizations are little more than political lobbies who use the Bible to justify an otherwise unpalatable social platform.
This isn't the first time these groups have meddled in the domestic affairs of another country. Much of the settlement building in the West Bank is funded by American Evangelical groups.
Unfortunately, the religious nature of these groups makes going after them a bit difficult. If this were a non-religious NGO doing something like this, they would be publicly shamed from every direction.
Good article, but you need to go further and expose these organizations for what they really are. It doesn't have much to do with the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.
Nice try Jason. Since they are 180* different from each other, like the religious radicals, you are selling a pile of turds.
American evangelicals. Right. Those guys don't have any influence here, why would they have any influence 10,000 miles away from here? They're nuts, most people here accept that fact, I see no reason that any country in Africa would take their views or opinions seriously. Anyway, there is a backlach among the anti-gay groups, they really don't want to be forced to accept something that their Bible says is wrong. It isn't going to change overnight, no matter how bad the left wants it to change.
So...
Ms Amanpour is, because of her record, allowed to say on her blog that Ugandans can't think for themselves. Apparently they are susceptible to these sort of Jedi mind tricks from American evangelicals. If anyone else said it, they would be deemed racist.
To be honest, no. Ugandans cannot think for themselves. Have you seen the inane stuff their president says to cheering crowds? They're on par with evangelicals when it comes to intelligence.
you could only say that when we refuse to do what you want..American you still you are a powerful as you used to be.You deny us aid,another country will come in.we no longer going to dance on your tunes any more.And stop insulting us and our president.show some respect you imperialists
Africans follow what the big chief (or President) says. They're not known for independent thinking. Even Mandela couldn't bring himself to criticize Jacob Zuma – it's just not done in African culture. My opinion is based on having lived the past 17 years in South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Not saying they're stupid – just sheep-like in their behavior. As for foreign aid, let China step in. They're sucking up whats left of Africa at the speed of light. As an American I don't want my tax dollars to support imprisoning people who's only crime is loving.
@ Michael M
Sheep like ppl exist in the US too..
Chk in with FoxNews
talking about the Fox channels... what happened to them republican christians who are now inviting Neil de Grasse Tyson the democrat atheist to build a new Cosmos series like Carl Sagan in his own time on ABC ? lol just thought I'd point this awkward moment out, not saying anything more though, just waiting for the exciting series anyway.
So Ugandans cannot think for themselves..its always the West thinking for us. Wow, u guys amaze me.
If this is you thinking for yourselves, then you really do need some serious psychiatric help.
Uganda had no big problem with gays, until Right Wing, radical "christians", members of Congress went there as if they were speaking for our government, and told them lies about gays. They told Ugandans it was a scientific fact that it was a choice and they could learn not to be gay. They are not born gay. So the Ugandans, without checking with scientists in our government, or calling the President or Secretary of State, believed these snakes, and the Kill the Gays law came into being. The push back was overwhelming. But they still believed the lies about gays, so they changed it to life imprisonment.
The radical, Right Wing, fake christians who did this to Uganda and Ugandan gays have said, "oh, my my, I would not have had anything to do with that. Glory be. That would just be too exhausting, and I need my smelling salts now," in a Southern accident. When will they be driven out of office, and the rest die off of old age?
so for you who think for yourself,you think being a gay is genetic oriented?anyway your minds may b telling you that but its wrong.We dont need your money you people.And you come in Uganda again and we get you b4 police comme you will be finished
is the president of america an African? Does the secretary of state understand how it feels to be African?
Do you understand the power of Catholic church in Uganda?
The man who tabled the bill is from the Bakiga tribe and was basing primarily on the Bakiga culture and all the cultures of uganda.
there has never been a vocabularly for gay in any African language. Better talk about what you understand
Yeah I know Wawamo. You try and quell any information that might counter your views. It's such a shame you don't have free speech in your country. You will always be at the hands of who controls the information, instead of being able to see the truth for yourself.
Uganda is an independent state. u gays mind about your nations.
dont be so stupid about our country when you are also badly off. Silly
Typical of Western Media... Americans cant think for themselves!
The West are always so arrogant when it comes to Africa. The Ugandan President is right that the West intends to bring social imperialism to us. We in Africa do not seek to impose our values on them, why are they so pressed to do so on us? Gay right is not human rights! It is a deviation from human rights. It is a perversion, it is inhuman. Why, for example, is polygamy retrogressive an idea to the West to the extent that it was criminalised? Who and what are they protecting? May heavens save us from this raving evil of LGBT!
Good analysis Bosun. I think freedom of expression should have its limits and it's clear that most people in the western world are misinformed about the reality of life in Africa. As an African, I don't appreciate denigrating sentiments like "He goes to Uganda and succeeds because of what he represents". What does he represent? It is not a secrete that global culture is getting morally depraved everyday and Africa may be the last hope for preserving its integrity. Evangelist Scott is only acting as an envoy to its preservation. If African morals have to degrade, let them do so at the freewill of its people (represented by their leaders). Africa is a continent of sovereign states and not even the media such as CNN should be a gateway of exercising undue influence over African affairs; from a Christian perspective, this is a huge injustice to moral preservation in Uganda. God help us!!
Freedom of expression is one of the greatest freedoms we have. Yes, some people are going to say awful things. But people can make up their own minds. Do you not trust the people of Uganda to make up their own minds? Why can you not allow gay Ugandas to speak for themselves without risk of oppression and jail? Are you afraid of the truth?
If you only get one side of the story, you will never know the truth.
This human right thing is killing us and our society norms..Someone mount an animal and you call a right.You American leave our society alone.I better die without knowing American didnt not help me than dancing on your tunes every time
That's an insult to Ugandans and our president.Americans should stop imposing your evil behaviors on us.If you are to help us do in good heart not because you need something from us
The story is so stupid.....untrue and will be appreciated by only narrow minded people...............african culture and beliefs are significantly different from the rest of europe and america.............it is possible in 10,000 people randomly picked to not have a gay......................VALUES AND MORAL CONSCIOUSNESS IS HIGHEST THERE
Does America allow polygamy? Why does it not? I m surprised that Amanpour can throw caution to the wind and say there have been tortures and killings in Nigeria over gay right in my country! I live in this country. Nothing of that nature is happening. where do you get your facts from? I think you should verify these things before you just go on air and try to impose your opinion on others. I live in this country and everyone I know is against men marrying men. I ve been in America and was taught by gay men and women. That's your tradition, its not ours in Africa. Take it or leave it.
Who is this Roger Ross Williams guy...? I have never heard of anyone by that name here in Uganda preaching anti gay stuff. Our decision has no connection to his point of view. Probably some guy looking for popularity back home.
Stop infecting your fellow Americans with the wrong information and propaganda. Its so disappointing to see such low grade info from a journalist like you.
Insinuating! Amanpour with all due respect there are better things to cover but this,no lives, cultures lost or nuclear bombs suspected.A blind shall not lead a blind lest fall in ditch.
It greatly pains me that western civilisation doesn't take us Ugandans and our politishans serious. President Museveni is a very great man, who wears a suit and a tie and even wears his shoes in parlament. The evangelical preachers who brought us the great magic of Mr. Jesus Christ have said that the werld must take us serious, not just our caltsha but also our space-programm, which was even covered by CNN.
By the way, if you would like to send me your e-mail adress, I can send you a very important business proposal that will make you very rich.
Poolu Mabulu, ministah of finances of Uganda
Iam Ugandan,and for as long as u guys import ur understanding of what you think is right for africa,then you will never understand african culture[why do you think all the other african countries are quiet about this],this whole thing can never make sense to you. Arab states for example can be so radical in their application of sharia law esp against women,but i dont see the world poking its nose into their issues,cse that is who they are.At least let us respect the fact that WE ARE UGANDAN AND THIS IS JUST WHO WE ARE.Like us or hate us.If u did a referundum today you will be surprised to know that 99% of ugandans actually support this bill.Many ugandans have grown into no longer supporting the current president for so many reasons including wanting to cling to power forever,however when it comes to this',everyone is willing to throw their political differences away just to get the bill pass into law.One last thing ,when the current government is throwing opposition politicians onto police pickups[grossly violating human rights] that news does show up in international news for gross violation of human rights.In the african culture we have a saying that "In as much as you are my friend ,you do not come into my home to tell me how to run it", in the africa it is so disrespectful for u to think about[and therefore assume the role of telling me] what is good/right for without me telling you first how you can be of help.
man u have said it right....we don't give a damn
To all of you in Uganda, that is just it, you have been influenced and brainwashed as to what to do by these evangelicals who are Westerners. They have their own agenda to exploit Africa.
If you knew what it takes to be African, you would be ashamed of what you say.
the most influencial religions in Uganda are Catholics and Anglicans and not the wee american evangelicals.
as so many posters from uganda have demonstrated here, ugandans are a primitive lot, still mired in irrational bronze and iron age religious mythologies and archaic tribalism. they are disgusting pigs and morally depraved. they are using lgbts as scapegoats for their own depravity. disgusting, absolutely disgusting.
you disgust us too
we Ugandan don't give a damn about this anti_christ imperialists..if u want go an' hang yourself...even we know that u Americans even need a lot from us...Obama administration has really amused me.
Rom. 1:26-28, "For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, 27 and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. 28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper."
King James Version (KJV)
3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men,
seriously Whites think they are all there,please we have minds of our own and we have a fear for God. Obama sihttp://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.element/img/3.0/1px.gifncerely promoting something that is purely evil and he hides behind the name of Human rights....please keep your whatevers to yourselves ....Go Sevo....
Whats up with all this gay news? Forget about these un-natural, self centered bigots. Ignore the liberal agenda and don't give them any attention.
My brain just got whacked from reading the comments from the Ugandans here!
What's all this talk about how different the African culture is from the West?
Just because Western Imperialism wreaked havoc around the world in the past, doesn't make it a "one size fit's all" response for anything you don't like.
Human rights/Animal rights/Environmental rights are evolving due to human's conscience being raised. You may be able to slow it's progress, but you won't be able to stop it.
Lastly, pride is an ugly and destructive thing. I avoid it as much as I am aware of it- unless it's just for fun.
Christiane Amanpour stop giving wrong information. No gays have been arrested yet in Uganda as u reported yesterday . GET OUT OF THE CLOSET ALREADY
Who said there is equal rights in USA? I've been there and I know their hypocrisy. Big racists on the umbrella of 'we the people'. No equal jobs, no equal salaries, no equal race no equal anything from streets up to the Hollywood. You better keep quiet, we know who we are and what we wanna be. Your problems is that everyone is individualistic, 'a personal space' what you call it. Avoiding people, go hiding to experiment with 'toys' and your pets. Tomorrow you wanna tell us to get married to horses and dogs....get off our way. We survived without money for centuries, we can still survive for few years to come.
Ugandans seem to have a very short memory. It hasn't been so long since Idi Amin was your president, and wasn't he a cannibal? Today's Ugandan president seems as ignorant and corrupt as Amin.
@Fred i think we should avoid blindfolding others and talk on un informed point of view, can u prove that amin was acannibal?
For really,i can't understand what the antichrists,nwo,propangandist,uncultured west wan to force on our country with our Motto FOR GOD &MY COUNTRY.We servived slave trade,colonialism&imperialism,even this shall pass.
Can you prove he wasn't? I remember the European press of the time saying so all the time, without anyone contradicting it. Anyway, my point is that Mr. Museveni sounds as ignorant as Amin, and looks just as corrupt. And incidentally, I'm black.
Anyone who stands on GOD's side is right, even though the whole world says it's wrong.
Is there any question American fundamentalist pastors haven't influenced these countries? Scott Lively and Bryan Fischer and so many others fully admit they did it. And, there is no shame from them.
Western Media such as CNN Should Stop Misreporting and Imposing Evil Behaviours on Africa. If You Are To Report About Africa, Then Better Do It In Good Heart And In An Objective Manner. Ugandans We Are Well Known For NOT Tolerating Social Imperialism. That Is Why We DO NOT Impose Our Values on anyone! SO Christiane KEEP-OFF!
CNN reporters need to style up on the way they do things. Its why majority of Africans abandoned BBC, CNN slowly and now in love with Asian channels.
Christianne, One thing I've come to appreciate about you is your intelligent reporting. But in this story, you don't practice the same high intelligent integrity that I've come to expect. While some people who use the name "evangelical" might have had influence on people in Uganda calling for this repressive law, others are horrified that people who call on the name of Jesus Christ would be behind such a law. The way you reported the story is unfair to those people because you make no distinction between the differing position held by Evangelicals. I think you own an apology to those like myself who were offended that no distinction was made. I also think you need to know more about the word "evangelical" and the people who call themselves as such before you use it in the future. Such loose use of the word is not responsible. Best wishes. P.S. Please share this with Becky Anderson and Hala Gorani. You've all made this mistake.
WELL SPOKEN paulluedtke. I personally think this whole report is unfair to both evangelicals and Ugandans. It does not deserve international airplay.
Do not even try undermining the intelligence of Ugandans and our president. This is not a who told who to what issue, the issue is purely about the norms and cultural values of Ugandans. S hello Mr. gay man and my dear Amanpour, please stop fulling the world and make more research about Ugandans and what they believe in before misleading every body here. Our request is one, please respect us and what we believe in just as we respect the Americans. FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY- UGANDA!
After seeing this, I think Uganda needs more International House of Pancakes, and less International House of Prayer.
Uganda is a good country and the majority of Ugandans don't support this . Laws in Uganda are usually made with our opinions in it , No pastor told us what to do, it was first a bill and then a law. the president of Uganda serves Ugandans not the international community. The law came as a result of gay associations giving incentives to school child to join them. this started in around 1999, So most Ugandans support this law in order to preserve their culture and values.
What is Groupthink?
Groupthink, a term coined by social psychologist Irving Janis (1972), occurs when a group makes faulty decisions because group pressures lead to a deterioration of “mental efficiency, reality testing, and moral judgment” (p. 9). Groups affected by groupthink ignore alternatives and tend to take irrational actions that dehumanize other groups. A group is especially vulnerable to groupthink when its members are similar in background, when the group is insulated from outside opinions, and when there are no clear rules for decision making.
Now The world bank is blackmailing people that desperately need the medical upgrades by withholding a loan.. Uganda doesn't subscribe to "western" values so they can't have the money, but the UN and US and other countries can send money to al Qaeda and other Islamic militants to kill thousands of Syrians in a "civil" war. The hypocrisy is mind blowing.
With or without the western aid Uganda shall live to please the most high God. Americans can call us Primitive if they derive satisfaction from it. God Bless Uganda.
With or without the western aid Uganda shall live to please the most high God and not a crowd of blind shameless evil doers. Americans other countries can call us Primitive if they derive satisfaction from it. God Bless the Pearl of Africa!
I am ashamed to call myself African. I hope that the ugandan president will be charged with 'Crimes against humanity'. He cannot be much of a leader signing such an evil law and allowing his people to be brainwashed by such a load of scrap!
Evangelicals are resposible for d anti-gay law.
Is polygamy allowed in America? If NO, who is resposible for dis? MYOPIC
its shame upon ugandans,God i s'dnt ve been a ugandan.i
This is an insult to Ugandans and Africans as a whole! you imply that Ugandans cant think for themselves?! so an American is intelligent more than the Ugandan Government? What a foolish analogy! Gays will not be allowed here simply because its evil, inhuman and dirty.........No one i repeat NO ONE IS BORN GAY! but they chhose to be. Kapish!
This is an insult to Ugandans and Africans as a whole! you imply that Ugandans cant think for themselves?! so an American is intelligent more than the Ugandan Government? What a foolish analogy! Gays will not be allowed here simply because its evil, inhuman and dirty.........No one i repeat NO ONE IS BORN GAY! but they choose to be. Kapish!
You gays better get right with GOD HE can still take you all off HIS Earth anytime HE wants.You'd better read and comprehend The Bible,and live it, you'd better repent of your crimes against GOD. You r nothing until you do,you will NOT get into heaven unless you do repent of your worthless perverted ways read the Bible, it's in the old testament. However you will never understand the new testament until you acknowledge the old testament and EVERY nation on Earth has had the old testament since
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