United States Ambassador to Zambia Daniel Foote says it is inconceivable that two men can be sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for having a consensual relationship, which does not hurt anyone, while government officials can steal millions of public funds without consequences.
In a statement today, Ambassador Foote said he understood that Zambia was a Christian nation but there was need to uphold human rights and treat people according to the Biblical principle that only those without sin should throw stones at those perceived to be sinners.
“I understand that Zambia is a Christian nation. I also understand that the Republic’s constitution was written to protect all citizens. To paraphrase the Bible: “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone.” I was personally horrified to read yesterday about the sentencing of two men, who had a consensual relationship, which hurt absolutely no one, to 15 YEARS imprisonment for “crimes against the order of nature.” Meanwhile, government officials can steal millions of public dollars without prosecution, political cadres can beat innocent citizens for expressing their opinions with no consequences, or poachers/traffickers can kill numerous elephants, barbarically chainsaw and sell their tusks, and face a maximum of only five years imprisonment in Zambia,” stated Ambassador Foote.
“Decisions like this oppressive sentencing do untold damage to Zambia’s international reputation by demonstrating that human rights in Zambia is not a universal guarantee. They perpetuate persecution against disenfranchised groups and minorities, such as people from other tribes or political affiliations, albinos, the disabled, our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) brothers and sisters, and anyone who is deemed “different.” Gay individuals have historically comprised over 10 percent of the world’s population, back to the days of renowned Greek philosophers, and reportedly gay men, Plato and Aristotle. Gay individuals continue to make exceptional contributions to society in the United States and elsewhere, as politicians, artists, ambassadors, business leaders, philanthropists, and friends. Perhaps, it’s time for Zambia to consider its outdated stance and obsolete legislation on how to treat the LGBTI community, and all others considered “different”.”
9 Responses
Gay is not acceptable in Zambia if you don’t know why you’re here go back
Am appalled that a so called leader, representative of a country can so much put his weight in defence and support of perversion. This is the only crime or sin which God had to punish two cities by burning them with fire from heaven! Are you gay sir? This nauseating action cannot be stomched by Africans. If these people are celebrated and given space in your country, it will not happen here. These are things which are so shameful we do not talk about them in the open.
As
Read the bible in 1Cor 6:9-10 . The sexually immoral, thieves, drunkards, swindlers to name a few will not inherit the kingdom of God IF THEY DONOT REPENT.
You can demonize the LGBT community but if you are a thief adulterer etc you are all in the same boat . Just my opinion
In a permissive societyit is easyfor christians to overlook or tolerate some immoral behaviors (greed.drunkenness etc) while remaining outraged at others ( homosexuality, thievery). We must not participate in sin or condone it in any way, nor may we be selective about what we condemn or excuse. Staying away from more “acceptable ” forms of sin is difficult, but it is no harder for us than it was for Corinthians. God expects his followers in any age to have high standards. (NIV study bible 1 cor 6 : 9-11)
Paul is describing characteristics of unbelievers. He doesn’t mean that idolaters adulterers, male prostitutes, homosexuals, thieves, greedy people, drunkards, slanderers, or swindlers are automatically and irrevocably excluded from heaven. Christians come out of all kinds of backgrounds. (NIV study bible 1Cor 6 : 9-11)
Kick out the idiot
Our country Zambia is part of the international community. And as a country, Zambia has a part in up-holding the principles of human rights, at-least from a global perspective (ICESCR). The issue of LGBTI in Zambia gives me a lot of questions than answers; are we treating the LGBTI community correctly according to the Bible? How were the LGBTI community treated in the Kaunda regime? Are there lessons on LGBTI communities from other Christian nations/ communities? Do we benefit either directly or indirectly from some projects/ effort sponsored by LGBTI communities? Is there chance to accept these persons to co-exist with the others? In our culture as the Bantu, how do we deal with LGBTI persons? Last but not the least, it is my opinion that as a country, somehow we are either directly or indirectly benefiting from LGBTI community sponsored networks or countries. Remember, that we are a donor aided economy. IT’S MY OPINION.
You what to take advantage of our struggling economy for your pathetic ideology. You can go back to your country. Zambia is for Zambians and America is for Americans.