Truemors
is reporting from
Member
NP Rank:
NP Rank:
US fundamentalist group at heart of Uganda's anti-gay law
Share:
by Rhonda J Mangus | November 26, 2009 at 03:21 am
959 views | 56 Recommendations | 28 comments
Photos
US fundamentalist group at heart of Uganda's anti-gay law
uploaded by Rhonda J Mangus
A United States fundamentalist group is at the heart of Uganda's anti-gay law. Originally known as The Fellowship, an international organization founded in 1935, today it is known as 'The Family', described by Jeff Sharlet in his book The Family: Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power, who investigates the political power of 'The Family', a secretive fundamentalist Christian association. 'The Family', under the reclusive leadership of Douglas Coe, is described by prominent evangelical Christians as one of the most, or the most, politically well-connected fundamentalist organizations in the United States.
Ugandan lawmaker and alleged member of the 'The Family', David Bahati sponsored Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009, also known as the "Bahati Bill".
David Bahati, a Ugandan lawmaker and member of the fundamentalist group The Family, sponsored the antigay legislation and has received millions of dollars in funding through the organization’s African outreach programs. The Family has also cultivated a "deep relationship" with Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni (pictured, right), Jeff Sharlet, author of The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power, said in a Tuesday interview on Fresh Air with Terry Gross on National Public Radio.
Sharlet detailed The Family's connections with Capitol Hill powers-that-be, including Nevada senator John Ensign (pictured, left) and Kansas senator Sam Brownback. “Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma boasts of traveling around the world, doing The Family's political business, he said. "[Oklahoma] Senator Tom Coburn has done the same thing. [Iowa] Senator Chuck Grassley has been very involved in African affairs on behalf of The Family. Sen. Mike Enzi of Wyoming is a part of it.”
Though gay sex is already criminalized in Uganda, the proposed legislation currently before parliament would add a specific clause called “aggravated homosexuality,” which would impose the death penalty on so-called repeat offenders as well as those who have HIV and engage in sex. Even failure to report a gay person to authorities could result in a lengthy prison sentence.
The transcript of the interview is available here.
Previously on NowPublic by this Author:
Uganda anti-gay bill has potential to divide Commonwealth leaders (November 25, 2009)
Museveni claims European gays are 'recruiting' Ugandan citizens (November 23, 2009)
Jefferson Awards winner recognizes genocide looming in Uganda (October 21, 2009)
Uganda's Daily Monitor raises its voice on behalf of defenseless (October 20, 2009)
Did Exodus conference in Uganda unleash anti-gay vigilantism? (October 19, 2009)
Human rights groups blast Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009 (October 18, 2009)
Exodus International Holding Bryce Faulkner Hostage? (July 16, 2009)
Additional related stories on NowPublic Special News Coverage channels here and here.
What is NowPublic?
NowPublic lets people work together to cover news events around the world.
Crowd Power
Rhonda J Mangus
North Tonawanda, New York, United States
Related Stories
Recommendations (56)
Roy C
Vancouver, Washington, United States
Spydermonkey
huntsville, Alabama, United States
marianmo
Mission, Canada
Uwe Paschen
Narita, Chiba, Japan
smkovalinsky
New York, New York, United States
Babel-Fish
Negros Oriental, PhilippinesPete Givins
Chicago, United States
Barbara McPherson
Nanaimo, Canada
stejeb
United Kingdom
Amy Judd
Vancouver, Canada
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (28)
at 03:43 on November 26th, 2009
Being gay is criminalised in Africa as a whole. It is very well frowned upon. I don't think African countries need any help of outsiders (especially a "secret" fundamentalist association) in making such laws. I don't believe in the above information.
at 03:46 on November 26th, 2009
Thank you for reading and commenting, Yommie. I would like to know why you "don't believe in the above information"? Thanks!
at 04:08 on November 26th, 2009
There is this subconscious theory (and it only manifests in Europe and the West) that Africans can't really think from themselves without the influence of non-African countries.
I understand the news about the bill, but to say it was being sponsored by a secret cult from outside Uganda is incredulous. I think it is just sensational journalism - based on a book written by one Jeff Sharlett. This view cannot really be substantiated
at 04:14 on November 26th, 2009
Thank you, Yommie. I'm not sure anyone is saying "...Africans can't really think from themselves without the influence of non-African countries."
What is being said, and is very clearly identified through this, and related articles, is that a US Fundamentalist group known as "The Family" is exercising tremendous influence world-wide, including in Africa.
Nothing "sensationalized", just facts!
at 04:53 on November 26th, 2009
One more thing, Yommie -- Jeff Sharlet (Author, "The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power") is an Associate Research Scholar, Center for Religion and Media, New York University. Sharlet publishes an on-line journal, The Revealer. It is a review of religion and media published by NYU.
at 04:54 on November 26th, 2009
I updated my comment, Yommie -- to add some links.
at 05:40 on November 26th, 2009
How lovely and wonderful, now the powers do not only try to play their influence for oil and world dominance but also on other issues.
I think it is bad enough as is in Uganda and many other African countries, they do not need help to make it worth.
at 05:56 on November 26th, 2009
ty for this information rhonda
at 15:41 on November 26th, 2009
You are very welcome, marianmo! Thank you for reading, commenting, and for the recommendation.
at 06:02 on November 26th, 2009
Apart from the Jeff guy, are there any other news pointing to this "Family" as being behind the law. If so, then I don't think the death penalty bill will be passed as it requires majority vote. However, the anti-gay laws will survive in the continent of Africa as a whole as its a region that still believes in its culture, tradition, and is very religious. Frankly I don't see any "secret cult" having much to do as homosexuality is already a taboo.
at 08:54 on November 26th, 2009
OK, yes, the law is absolutely out of line.
The question is: from what does such an intense anti-gay attitude derive? What are they trying to control?
So, we know that AIDS in Africa was a mystery for a long time because a very high percentage of women got infected there, while in the US, this was not true. AIDS has stayed out of the heterosexual community except for IV drug users and those having sex with bisexuals. This is because a man would have to have sex with an infected woman on average about 80 times to pick up HIV from her. Women are not so lucky and get it very easily from infected men.
Finally, it had to be admitted that there was a lot of bisexuality in these African countries where the women were getting AIDS in high numbers.Why? Because nutritional deficiencies and other possible causes, such as the presence of parasites or other diseases that assault and weaken the immune system, did not account for the numbers seen.
Yes, there need to be severe penalties for men who knowingly infect others with HIV.
No, homosexuality is not necessarily inborn. In any case, true homosexuality is not the problem in Africa. What I have called otherwise-heterosexual-men engaging in homosexual acts is the problem here.
Some anthropologists observing the lack of homosexuality (transsexualism, yes) in communities with very,very few restrictions on sex think that bisexuality is induced, yes, learned, due to the labile nature of our sexual identity.
You have to ask yourself if another way to reduce homosexual transmission of AIDS and bisexual transmission of AIDS to women were found, then the pressure to find a solution involving such a drastic punishment would not be eliminated.
The entire series of articles on this topic has avoided this aspect, understandably, but it needs to be addressed.
at 15:19 on November 26th, 2009
Roy, thank you for reading and commenting:)! In response to your questions, "...from what does such an intense anti-gay attitude derive? What are they trying to control?" Perhaps this read will answer your questions:) Plato: The Serpent in the Garden of Sexuality.
at 17:41 on November 26th, 2009
No, it is simply the take of a "rationalist" who doesn't get depth psychology at all. He understands neither reason nor sexuality as a result.
It is not the nature of self-control that Plato discusses in "The Symposium" but what love really is.
And when you read Diotima's speech, it is essentially all there. Diotima gets depth psychology.
at 17:59 on November 26th, 2009
Rational is good, Roy! Logic, reason:)!
at 15:28 on November 26th, 2009
Roy, Plato: The Serpent in the Garden of Sexuality -- should also address your belief that "otherwise-heterosexual men engaging in homosexual acts is the problem here."
at 15:31 on November 26th, 2009
In essence Roy, the reading of Plato: Serpent in the Garden of Sexuality puts 'us' at the beginning.
at 10:26 on November 26th, 2009
Rhonda: Thanks for posting this (as well as all the links to the others) I had read some chilling things also about Reverend Rick Warren and his duplicity : pretending to be quite moderate here, while going over there and supporting such a law. In a world gone global, something is really scary about all of this.
at 15:40 on November 26th, 2009
You are very welcome, smk! No doubt you have read some chilling things about Warren.
You might also find this interesting: Christian Fundamentalists, Christian Groups, Ministries, and Movements.
at 13:05 on November 26th, 2009
Religious extremism allows for the worst of crimes. It doesn't matter which god is being worshipped.
at 15:29 on November 26th, 2009
I am definitely in agreement, Barb! Thanks for reading, commenting, and for the recommendation!
at 17:38 on November 26th, 2009
Doesn't explain why this Ugandan politician has let himself be played into their hands.
Look, if you want to "ban the bomb", you find out what need the bomb fills and try to do it better. That has been the mistake of the anti-nuke crowd since day one.
Most of you think that citing the anti-homosexual positions of the fundies answers the question. It doesn't. Why do they believe what they believe? What need is filled there? How to change their perception?
For the Ugandan leader, there has to be some kind of pressure within Uganda to deal severely with AIDS. He must have seized on this for that. Why else?
There is a lot going on here, once again, that has not been examined.
at 18:04 on November 26th, 2009
"Doesn't explain why this Ugandan politician has let himself be played into their hands.
"Most of you think that citing the anti-homosexual positions of the fundies answers the question. It doesn't. Why do they believe what they believe? What need is filled there? How to change their perception?
For the Ugandan leader, there has to be some kind of pressure within Uganda to deal severely with AIDS. He must have seized on this for that. Why else?
There is a lot going on here, once again, that has not been examined."
Roy, if you know what is not being examined, I would appreciate it if you would either speak more directly, or do a story and link it back. I appreciate your understanding:) Thanks!
at 17:45 on November 26th, 2009
It appears that Rick Warren has broken with this group supporting the death penalty, or have I misunderstood this?
Source: sexualminoritiesuganda.org
at 18:06 on November 26th, 2009
It appears so, Roy. But, do you really believe Warren's statement that "Our role, and the role of the PEACE Plan, whether in Uganda or any other country, is always pastoral and never political.
I'm sure Warren does oppose anything that hinders [his] goals:
"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."
What surprises me is SMUG seems to buy it!
at 18:15 on November 26th, 2009
Rick Warren's P.E.A.C.E Plan & the UN Millennium Goals
P: Promoting reconciliation
E: Equipping 'ethical leaders'
A: Assisting the poor
C: Caring for the sick
E: Educating the next generation.
at 18:20 on November 26th, 2009
Rick Warren's Africa Problem (Max Blumenthal, On 01.07.09, By Max)
at 18:27 on November 26th, 2009
It appears that Warren did not break ties with Ssempa in 2007. Consequently, I don't believe what he is saying in your highlight to hold any truth.
Source: maxblumenthal.com
at 18:42 on November 26th, 2009
I'm sorry, Roy. Thanks for being so diligent!:) I hope 'we' have gotten to the 'heart' of the matter. If not though, please feel free to do a story:) Thanks!