By Rev. Canon Dr. Kapya John Kaoma
President Obama made news recently when he called on Africans countries to respect human rights for all their citizens, including gays. Obama’s statement followed the long awaited U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the status of same-sex couples in America. After the court ruled that same-sex couples have equal rights like heterosexual couples, the President praised the move, claiming it was a “proud day for America.” But Obama did not end there – he pressed African countries to recognize gay rights as human rights.
“When it comes to how the state treats people, how the law treats people, I believe that everybody has to be treated equally.” Senegalese President Macky Sall responded by telling Obama that while his country is “very tolerant to gays,” it was “still not ready to decriminalize homosexuality.”
Both Western and African media jumped on this exchange. Many saw Sall’s statement as an open rebuke of Obama’s support of homosexuality. Others, however, viewed the encounter as a clash of cultures – Western liberal and African primitive. While African media empathized the former, Western media generally projected the latter.
As expected, the Zambian media carried story. The reported response of Fr. Leonard Chiti, the Director of the Catholic Jesuit Center for Theological Reflection forced me to respond. Fr. Chiti claimed that Obama’s call to decriminalize homosexuality is a non-starter in Zambia. The question is why? “When you look at the draft constitution, you will see that Zambians have been categorical about their rejection of clauses that seem to allow rights for people of such orientations and I don’t see any change in that regard.”
Fr. Chiti is entitled to his own judgment but the basis of his claim is highly flawed. To start, Fr. Chiti agrees that they are “people of such [same-sex] orientations who are Zambians, yet justifies their harassment based on popular opinion, which I find unjust. As a priest, he should have suggested how best we should approach the gay issue. Second, Obama’s remarks followed the ruling of the Supreme Court on the issue of human sexuality. That ruling rendered California’s Proposition 8, which outlawed same-sex marriages through the referendum (which won popular vote in 2008) invalid. In other words, human rights are not based on majority votes but on the conviction that every human being is endowed with inherent rights to be respected and protected. The court ruled in favor of equality – all citizens have equal rights in America. So what is wrong with treating all citizens equally?
Third, Obama’s statement should be understood within the context of the rule of law as opposed to votes. It is the court that interpreted the U.S. Constitution to mean that all Americans are entitled to equal treatment under the law. For me, Obama’s call for African nations to decriminalize homosexuality is not a non-starter but an opportunity for Zambians to discuss the issue with an open mind.
Finally, Obama called on African nations to treat all Africans regardless of their sexual orientation equally, which I believe is the duty of every State. Are gays citizens of our nations equally entitled to State protection as heterosexuals? That millions of Zambians are opposed to gay rights does not justify state sanction of their persecution. The holocaust in Nazi German and the Rwandan genocide were based on this kind of thinking. Dietrich Bonheoffer, who refused to side with the Nazis and was killed as a result once said:
“It is the nature, and the advantage, of strong people that they can bring out the crucial questions and form a clear opinion about them. The weak always have to decide between alternatives that are not their own.”
Fr. Chiti had an opportunity to direct the nation on the complex issue of homosexuality, but chose the popular route – thereby repeating a myth we all know – homosexuality is a Western import to Africa.
Before you insult me, let me help Fr. Chiti on this issue. The clash between Presidents Sall and Obama is due to what I term conflict of human rights. Who counts? – “the local people” or “the global community?” Is the claim that “our culture and religions do not accept homosexuality” enough to deny human rights to gays?
These questions are crucial to the issue at hand. Many Africans oppose gay rights on the basis that they are protecting cultural authenticity. Yet, our nations are part of the global community in which gay rights are now human rights. Since global rights are viewed as “universal and timeless,” the Western nations want Africa to respect them. On the other hand, African nations reject gay rights as a way of preserving Africa traditional and religious identity. But as Amy Guttmann argues,
“Cultural survival in and of itself is … not a human right, since the ultimate beneficiaries and claimants of human rights must be persons, and the price of enabling some cultures to survive may be violating human rights”
Gay rights defenders are convinced that gay rights are human rights, while African governments’ rebut such claims with ultimate impunity. The encounter between the two heads of States should be understood from this perspective.
Regardless of how we feel, the missing voice in that encounter is the African gay person. Rather than give gays a voice, politicians spoke for them. But as Bonheoffer once said,
“We must learn to regard people less in light of what they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer.”
When will Africa accept that gays have suffered enough and should be allowed to live peacefully in their nations? In 1868, Hogoza was executed in Natal, South Africa. His crime – he was gay. Across Africa, lesbians and gays have been sexually abused and in some cases killed. As I am writing some young boys are in jail – their crime, they are gays. Had Fr. Chiti reflected on the suffering of our fellow beings – the beatings, arrests, torture, and ridicule of, his response would have been different.
Obama or no Obama, gay communities across Africa are determined to fight for their Human rights. Our draft and national constitutions may criminalize homosexuality but gays are determined to win this fight for their freedoms. After all, we are not the first nations to resist gay rights – Europeans and American once did the same. But no system can continuously deny the oppressed their rights forever. Gays know their rights and no law will deny them what they believe are their fundamental Human rights.
The challenge is, to use Ian Douglas words,
“How can the global live with the local and the local live with the global, without either one or the other seeking to superimpose itself on the other with a destructive and life denying result?”
Our arrogance to gay rights is life denying, and only Christian love and humility will make us to see God’s image in all God’s people – even in our Gay, Bisexual, Lesbian and Transgendered brothers and sisters.
this nonse mr i know you hungry and you want something to eat
you twisted degree holders are the ones messing up everything!!! the basic science we all know demostrated that same sex is against the order of nature.. an Ass(umusula) is not listed as a sex organ or reproductive organ
.Dr john kaoma,, study or research zambian/african culture and use your finding to illustrate your homosexual thinking,,..balance your article..not just pushing people to open up to homosexuality
Anyway there better things to talk and debate about in zambia that matako sex…..
…you are right comrade. Mr. Kaoma, I’m actually shocked, surprised, disappointed, frustrated, etc. that you, a rev should even be the one encouraging our people to fight for homosexuality. What will you teach in church?
he is the devil’s advocate period.
Nonsense, this country is not just like any other country. We are a christian nation and we are suppose to be making laws that do not conflict the Bible, our biggest constitution. The priest is right to condemn homosexuality because the bible condemns it. We should never give any chance of homosexuality in our country. The bible condemns homosexuality as much as theft and other sinful acts and we should live by that.
That Bible also condemns fornication so for you to be just and treat people equally (I’m sure as your Jesus would want you to) in your so-called Christian nation that apparently bases its laws on that holy book, you must force the fornicator to suffer the same as the homosexual. 14 years imprisonment with hard labour for anyone found having sex with someone not their spouse! It’s only fair…
Oh boy this ‘reverend’ again….. have you seen the moral decay in countries where gays rights are recognised? We have enough problems in Africa than to start dealing with gays.Those western countries have sorted their hunger problems,corruption problems thats why they have graduated to start dealing with issues like gay rights,obesity,depression,etc Leave Africa alone we are still dealing with hunger,witchcraft,Aids,dictatorships etc……
well said bro,
we should not forget that the devil’s advocates are the free masons and/or illuminates and america is being ruled by one at the moment.
its like jesus vs satan, although we all know who the ultimate winner is and has always been.
shame on obama as he does not know how deep rooted our african cultures are in terms of homosexual and he better do a research before he is embarassed by yet another african leader.
Kumatako ukufuma amafi eko ba Kaoma alefyaya abantu bale ulunganinako sure. Homo means same & that in itself defeats the purpose of marriage. Maybe America should also allow polygamy & Obama should be the first to marry a second wife.
Ifyabupuba ukokwine ku America epofye nembwa teti ilale mbwa inankwe.
These are the fruits of globalization. I saw this coming, USA hiding behind human rights in order to impose “gay rights” across the globe. This is just the beginning of the end. They will deceive us with words of peace and human rights, but the end result is our people fighting against each other because of what USA has projected as oppression of human rights. Africans, let us not forget our roots, our religion. They are right, God made us in his own image as the sacred book, the Bible, says, however, human rights somewhat go against religion by making people do what isn’t right. Adam was made to be with Eve, not Adam to be adam, so wasn’t Adam made to choose to became Eve. The moment we let them use globalization and human rights, we will lose our religion and culture. Wake up…
You the author of this article, tell us if Obama is a product of gays! we CAN NOT ACCEPT EVERYTHING WESTERNERS THINK IS A HUMAN RIGHT JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE ECONOMICALLY AND POLITICALLY SUPERIOR. Africa has got an identity we need to preserve. Let that human right be there and not here. What is going wrong in your minds Kanshi? What is the main reason for sex? Is it bunging each other, and that so? Or are u suggesting that there is a new way of having children from homosexuality????? Why are we trying to destroy society now? We ask God to start afresh a new world. There is too much evil coming in now!
I agree with you comrade
You are not even a Rev,you are an i.d.i.o.t.You eve find time to write.No wonder your name is canon kapya(walipya)just shut up!!
Dear Rev. Kaoma, first of all I don’t know what type of reverend you are and what Christian values you represent; 1) if your parents were gay, would you have existed or Obama if his parents were gay would he have been president today, not to mention if he would have existed? 2) if you support gay rights, does it mean even those people who are attracted to animals (and have sex with animals) should be given equal rights? even those people who have sex with minors must be given equal rights?
Zambia is a Christian country, and will stand by the word of NO to gay rights…let Obama and yourself divorce your wives and marry your fellow men so that others will follow in your example and will accept gays freely
I agree with the idea of human rights, however, we should not forget about our values and morals. Obama is the president of USA, not president of the world. The statement he made about the gay rights shouldn’t be taken rightly. Human rights do not justify immorality you should know that. I do not agree with murder, abuse or any form of harassment against other people. These acts are inhuman, so do I think gay tights are. I remember writing a paper on globalization…homosexuality is one controversial issue that challenged my thought of the idea of a “global citizen”. Human rights are a passport to immorality. The moment human rights* rule us, we will live in chaos. So, should we forget who we are and let ourselves be defined by globalization?
Homosexuality is an unfavorable act by a majority of people, but homosexuals are citizens and do not cease to have their rights. Tolerance is acceptable, but tolerance does not mean that we become sheepish and not criticize homosexuality.
…what is shocking is that a rev is the one who wrote this article. Why will he or does he teach in his church. If the leaders of the religious groups are in the forefront encouraging immorality, then, we sure are headed for total disaster. Zambia is a Christian nation…and that we will not debate on. USA is liberal…they have even separated church from state. Religion has been pushed away, so they want the same for Africa. They know religion is against all these immoral acts, so they are trying to use human rights as a weapon to change the world. We Africans should remain who we are and not forget our religion and roots.
DON’T BE SURPRISED MUDALA, THIS REV. IS PENTECOSTAL. HE WANTS DOLLARS FROM AMERICA. THESE PENTECOSTAL REVS CAN DO ANYTHING FOR DOLLARS.
Ishimbwa shabantu masquerading as reverends.
DID OBAMA LEARN GEOGRAPHY, HISTORY AND CIVICS. ONE THING I MAY BE SURE OF IS THAT HE KNOWS VERY LITTLE OR NOTHING ABOUT CHRISTIANITY. GEOGRAPHY SHOULD HAVE TAUGHT HIM THE PHYSICAL BOUNDARIES OF CONTINENTS AND COUNTRIES. CIVICS SHOULD HAVE ALSO TAUGHT HIM THAT DEMOCRACY IN US MAY NOT BE DEMOCRACY ELSEWHERE, HISTORY SHOULD HAVE ALSO TAUGHT HIM THAT AFRICAN COUNTRIES ARE NO LONGER COLONIES OF ANY COUNTRY, ETC. MR OBAMA KEEP YOUR DEMOCRACY WITH YOUR DOLLARS. AFRICA IS SICK AND TIRED OF BEING FORCED TO BARK FOR THE SAKE OF DOLLARS. WE ARE USED TO SUFFERING. OR WE WILL SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS. WE DON’T NEED YOUR SOLUTIONS.
Human rights aren’t a justification for immorality.
Religion is not a justification for inequality, discrimination and intolerance
billions of people in the past thought their religion was the right one, what makes you today think that your religion is the right one.
coming to you Obama, if you are a product of your mother and your father from the anus preach that homosexual is OK but if not and you are sure not preserve our society.
naiwe chi reverend or pastor shinganani uko don’t mislead the church.
Yamu nyokola njala mambala. Rev!! my foot. This wanka is just hidding in the church.
SO IF I MAY ASK HOW ARE THE GAY PIPO GOING TO REPRODUCE
INFACT WE SHPOULD JUST SHARE THIS CONTINET WITH THE GAY PIPO,SFTER 100YRS WILL KNOW THEY WOULD HAVE DIED,AND WILL BE BACK TO GET THE LAND,KAILI NO REPRODUTION
The problem with us Africans is that we argue without facts. Please try to reason with what the Rev. is saying. I see alot of sense in what he is saying than most of you people who jst condem basing your arguments on christianinty or culture!!!! To start with christianinty is not ans African religion it is foregn so please don’t argue using the reason of christainity. You also cannot argue using culture, which culture are you talking about? Someone should bring concrete proof that Africans never practised homosexuality before christianity was introduced then I may agree with you. But I think chances are you will find that this practice is not new among most African traditions!!!!!
@ Muthangatambeta. You must be a fool Mr or whatever you are called don’t support things you know are wrong.If your parents got you through homo-sexual acts,go ahead and continue supporting.But beware the time for such people to perish is coming you like or not.
Hey, there’s no need to insult the guy. Agree with him or not, his post is reasonable.
It is very sad that some of the so called men of God are hiding in the name of the church to deceive people.Mr.Kaoma in the first place,may God have mercy on you before you are stricken by his anger.And secondly,beware people of God those of you serving the true living God.That these are the last days our lord Jesus Christ talked about.It is up to each one of us to decide the right thing to accept in our society,especially Zambia our Christian Nation.Lastly,Obama should not take advantage of our impoverishment to introduce such an unacceptable conduct in our society.Moreover,we are no longer under the colonial type of Governance,but are free to make our own decisions and not him doing it for us.And for his own information and all those foolishly support homo-sexuality the bible…
sorry rev homosexuality is not a priority for us in afrika.Try hunger,disease,ignorance and civil wars!Homos are not anywhre near.Sorry enjoy your stay in sodom.
Rev Kaoma – take comfort, you are a lone and rare voice of reason speaking for an oppressed minority. Most bloggers here use populist emotion, displaying great intolerance and hypocrisy. Am no gay but agree with you all the way. Oppression of the minority by the majority is not any more justifiable than oppression of the majority by the minority.
where have we seen a dog sleeping with another male dog,not even the animals that we control have the guts to do that,but a human being we are,educated,dr’s,name it the list goes on and go in terms of papers but yet just one simple rule we have failed,how can a man sleep with another man?
“Rev.” Homo – sapiens on the loose among the Christian nation of Zambia! Watch out y’all!
Ba gay bonse mulibwa sana,the gay and homosexual community you’re all dogs and i pity yo families,insala ibi mulebombesha mwe mbwa mwe.
Do u hav parents or they ar DEAD?ok,hw about brothers and sisters?NOW,whateva name u call yourself if you don’t. Hav anything sensible to write on JUST SHUT UP!why do u bring that to the public which yo parents can’t endorse.Are u goin to be happy if yo parents divorced and became gay?whatcha thinking first in yo head?Infact u ar one of the first people chasing halots in streets again..and busy doin the DEvils work by advocating equal HR’s.You ar confused and stop this NONSENSE!we don’t want to be enchanted with yo madness.Take it to Hell with yo demons and become one of US,straight pipo followers of Jesus Christ.
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