LJD,
I hope you will not get bored or annoyed with me saying how marvelous and
clear you are in elucidating your points in many a discussion on these
forums. As you insisted we need not hyperventilate on such personal issues
such as grown consenting adults choosing to smooch with one and other in
broad day light along Kairaba Avenue; whether it is two males, a male and
female or two females. As long as Gambia remains with its* secular
arrangments as per her constitution people should be allowed to live the
life they chose** as long as it is within the perimeters of the law*.
Live and let live! Let people be. God knows best.
Thanks once again bro for your simplicity and clarity.
Best,
Mboge
On Mon, Mar 8, 2010 at 9:02 PM, Lamin Darbo <[log in to unmask]>wrote:
> Bailo
>
> Again, thanks for your thoughts on homosexuality in the context of Gambian
> public life.
>
> Now that we are in apparent agreement about the universal existence
> of homosexuality, my remaining interest is limited to how our polity should
> interface with its homosexual community.
>
> On this question, I remain of the conviction that it is indefensible to
> arrange our public space so as to unlawfully discriminate against any
> section of Gambian society on irrelevant considerations such as religion,
> sexuality, and ethnicity.
>
> This notwithstanding, I maintain that on homosexuality per se, I shared
> neither a personal "position", nor "perspective". On this, Mboge, and ATT Jr
> read me as intended. I respect your own interpretation, but for
> me, homosexuality is significant only in the context of public law.
>
> About religious buildings on State House grounds, there are different
> Christian denominations in The Gambia. Under the Muslim umbrella, the
> Ahmadiyya question lies in the background, uncomfortably exciting the
> faculties 'mainstream' Muslims. I am unsure we have enough space on State
> House grounds for all these denominations. And even if we do, the
> flash-point lies in religious doctrine.
>
> In the event Harunasilo attracts a thousand adherents, and insists on a
> structure alongside the Professor's mosque, an Ahmadiyya mosque, a Catholic
> church, a Methodist church, what are we suppose to do about ATT's demand?
> Denying him redress may constitute a formula for trouble. Outside its police
> power of maintaining stability between conflicting persuasions, I reject any
> state involvement in religious matters. Religion is properly a private
> matter.
>
> About England, and Saudi Arabia, I am unsure they represent compelling
> cases against secularism. The Church of England, of which the Monarch
> is head, grew out of a political dispute between Henry VIII, and Rome, the
> then centre of global Christianity. Whether it was a deliberately engineered
> conflict to break away from mighty Rome, the fact remains that the immediate
> catalyst for the separation was the refusal of Rome to bless Henry VIII's
> endless forays into 'holy matrimony'. In any case, the Church of England is
> constitutionally recognised as the established Church of the realm.
> Constitutionally!
>
> As the global centre of Islam, Saudi Arabia is differently situated. It is
> an 'Islamic nation'. Here again, that condition is legally enshrined!
>
> In The Gambia, the law says we are a secular Republic, and equally
> protected by law.
>
> Finally, I reassure you that under different circumstances, Bailo, and LJD,
> could spend the whole day discussing the beauties, and practical benefits of
> Islam. I completed reading the Quran before going to high school in 1974,
> and never a day went by that I did not say my 5 prayers. I still read the
> Quran daily. Except for reason of illness in 2005, I fasted every single
> Ramadan since 1973, and God willing, I intend to do so for the rest of my
> life. But for the concern that you may be inching to to the view that I am a
> non-believer, I would not have written the instant paragraph. On the
> positive side, I hope you now understand the context of my assertion that
> with God on my side, there is no realistic danger of my conversion to
> Harunasilo,
>
> I am a practising Muslim, but my religion, essentially a private
> relationship with the Almighty, will, God willing, forever remain separate
> from my interest in public questions. I cannot see myself ever supporting
> discriminatory legislation, either on grounds of religion, sexuality, or
> ethnicity.
>
>
>
>
>
> LJDarbo
>
>
>
> --- On *Sun, 7/3/10, bailo jallow <[log in to unmask]>* wrote:
>
>
> From: bailo jallow <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: The first recorded Lesbian marriage in Mangambougou, Mali. I
> say happy gammy!
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Date: Sunday, 7 March, 2010, 14:20
>
>
> LJD,
>
> You stated in your latest contribution to this thread as follows:
>
> "Bailo
>
> Like our friend Mboge, I have not shared any "position", or, "perspective",
> on homosexuality. I regard his analytical response to you as a cogent
> clarification of my view." (LJD)
>
> However prior to the above quote, you had summed as follows:
>
>
> "Needless to say, I reject all public attempts at policing homosexuality.
>
>
> Our conflicting views on this needlessly divisive issue
> notwithstanding......................." (LJD)
>
> So therefore I do not agree when you stated that "I "refering to yourself"have not shared any "position", or, "perspective", on homosexuality."
>
> Whereas I had shared my opinion that homosexuality should be outlawed in
> The Gambia, your perspective on the subject-matter is you "reject all
> public attempts at policing homosexuality."
>
> You asked:
>
> "In the event of a Christian President of the Republic, how would you
> view a church on State House grounds? No prize for guessing I oppose the
> Professor's State House mosque on grounds it discriminates against
> non-Muslims and contravenes our secular Constitution." (LJD)
>
> I think it would be a superb undertaking to build a Church on State House
> grounds alongside the existing Mosque to also manifest the admirable state
> of peaceful co-existence between Moslems and Christians in the Gambia.
> Moslems could have their turn for the 5 daily prayers and Fridays and
> Christians on Sundays. I suppose that were the Swiss predominantly Moslems,
> they would never have banned the building of Mosques with minarets. Mosques,
> Churches, Synagogues and Temples could be erected whereever on earth for the
> proximity of worshippers. I do not however think that it would for instance
> make any sense to build a synagogue on State House grounds since there are
> hardly any Jews within the Gambia.
>
> I don't think that our 'secular constitution' has been violated with the
> building of a place of worship on State House grounds. I believe the State
> could provide resources for the building of faith institutions be they faith
> schools or churches or mosques.
>
> One ought to be mindful not to fall for the secular extremism strand which
> insists that State and religion should be poles apart. The head of State of
> the UK is also officially known as the "Defender of the Faith" meaning
> Defender of Anglicanism. Similarly, the King of Saudi Arabia is the
> "Custodian of the Holy Mosques" of Islam. Methinks that's perfectly normal.
> Secularism is simply another version of beliefs just like Christianity,
> Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, etc. It is the new religion!
>
> Notwitstanding that homosexuality is legal elsewhere, I believe that it
> should continue to be illegalised in the Gambia.
>
> I think that Harunasilo is for Haruna alone.
>
> Best wishes
> Bailo
>
>
>
>
>
> Change to:
> ChangeIgnoreClose
> Suggestions:
> Change this wordChange all occurrencesIgnore this wordIgnore all
> occurrences
>
> From: Lamin Darbo <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: The first recorded Lesbian marriage in Mangambougou, Mali. I
> say happy gammy!
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Date: Friday, 5 March, 2010, 12:24
>
> Bailo
>
> Like our friend Mboge, I have not shared any "position", or, "perspective",
> on homosexuality. I regard his analytical response to you as a cogent
> clarification of my view.
>
> And ATT Jr has synthesised my argument admirably.
>
> To recap, what I said was limited to the contention that:
>
> 1) homosexuality exists in societies the world over, and that it is not
> "decadence" exclusive to "Western" communities.
>
> 2) under equal protection doctrine, and law, it is indefensible,
> religious "moral" imperatives notwithstanding, to use public power as an
> instrument of oppression against a particular section of any polity.
>
> I should add that as a multi-ethnic, and multi-religious society, the
> "cultural" argument against homosexuality is quite weak for the simple
> reason there is no single Gambian "culture".
>
> In the event of a Christian President of the Republic, how would you view a
> church on State House grounds? No prize for guessing I oppose the
> Professor's State House mosque on grounds it discriminates against
> non-Muslims and contravenes our secular Constitution.
>
> I reassure you there is absolutely no danger of my conversion to
> Harunasilo, but I admit to having broader fears rooted in the counsel of
> Martin Niemoeller, a pastor of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church in the
> Nazi era:
>
>
>
> *"In Germany , the Nazis first came for the communists, and I did not
> speak *
>
> *up, because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I *
>
> *did not speak up, because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the trade
> unionists, and I did not speak up, because I was not a trade unionist. Then
> they came for the Catholics, and I did not speak up, because I was not a Catholic.
> Then they came for me … and by that time, there was no one to speak up for
> anyone". *.
> Gambian security chiefs would attest to the contention that intolerance and
> oppression in public space has no friends, only sequential victims.
>
> Homosexuality should not excite your thoughts in the context of our public
> life.
>
>
>
>
> LJDarbo
>
>
>
> --- On *Thu, 4/3/10, bailo jallow <[log in to unmask]>* wrote:
>
>
> From: bailo jallow <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: The first recorded Lesbian marriage in Mangambougou, Mali. I
> say happy gammy!
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Date: Thursday, 4 March, 2010, 7:33
>
> LJD,
>
> Thanks for succintly sharing your position on this contentious issue. While
> respecting your perspective on homosexuality, I beg to permanently differ
> with you on it.
>
> Highest regards
>
> Bailo
>
>
>
>
> --- On *Wed, 3/3/10, Lamin Darbo <[log in to unmask]>* wrote:
>
>
> From: Lamin Darbo <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: The first recorded Lesbian marriage in Mangambougou, Mali. I
> say happy gammy!
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Date: Wednesday, 3 March, 2010, 18:04
>
>
> *"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom
> of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters,
> nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor
> covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will
> inherit the kingdom of God." (1 Co 6:9-10)*
>
>
>
> Bailo
>
>
>
> Thank you for your thoughts.
>
> Your "religious and cultural convictions as a Moslem" are not in doubt, and
> I applaud your faith in the context of the Islamic religion.
>
> As to "shunning" the "abomination" that, in your view, is homosexuality, I
> concede you share that perspective with "millions of peoples (Jews,
> Christians, Bahaians, Hindus, Rastafarians, Atheists, etc) from all over the
> world".
>
> Referring to your original reaction therefore, there appears to be some
> contextual difficult in your explicit equation of homosexuality with
> "Western ... moral decadence ...". Here again, I concede the widely held,
> if erroneous view, that homosexuality is a "Western" phenomenon. Your
> difficulty is that for practical purposes, Africa is not the natural home of
> "Jews, Bahaians, or Hindus". In that regard, is it not more plausible to
> view homosexuality as of universal prevalence, as a human issue? Islamic
> teaching on the subject appears to support the contention that as a failing,
> homosexuality is a universal failing.
>
> For example, the universalism argument appears to be supported by the
> fundamental precept that Mohammed (PBUH) is the last of God’s prophets, and
> Islam, the perfection of religions. A careful analysis of this central
> doctrinal tenet suggests that notwithstanding its geographic delimitations
> at birth, the Islamic message is for people the world over. The logic of
> this position is that pronouncements on homosexuality, like the Quranic
> message in its totality, addresses people in all corners of the world.
> Again, a demonstration that as a failing, homosexuality is a universal
> human failing in so far as it inheres - even if among a tiny number - in
> societies the world over.
>
> On homosexuality, the views of Christianity, and Judaism, are no different
> to those of Islam, giving us a complete picture of the Abrahamic progeny of
> religions on this divisive issue. I take no issue with the views *per se*,
> but if their practical effect is to discriminate against equal stakeholders
> in Gambian public space, I reject any assault on homosexuality, and, on
> homosexuals.
>
>
>
> The foregoing is merely illustrative of the universal prevalence of
> homosexuality, and not a state of affairs that exemplifies "Western
> ... moral decadence ...".
>
>
>
> For me, the thrust of any dispute regarding homosexuality lies in the
> indefensibility of a differential application of a state’s police power to
> similarly situated citizens. If YJ is permitted to stroll our beautiful
> beaches with his female significant other, I see no cogent reason why ATT
> Jr., and yourself, should be prohibited from holding hands, and kissing, in
> broad daylight, if you so chose, along Kairaba Avenue.
>
>
>
> As preliminaries, I remind you that notwithstanding the population's
> overwhelming adherence to the Islamic faith, The Gambia remains a secular
> state. In consequence of that basic reality, no citizen must suffer for
> reasons rooted in religious outrage.
>
>
>
> Additionally, the Constitution, at section 33, guarantees equal protection
> under the law.
>
>
>
> Overall, my query is limited to whether fallible humans, in public life,
> should sit in moral judgement on matters that are ultimately between a
> person and God, especially when other vices, clearly more common (see
> opening quotation), and yet accepted as lifestyle choices, attract similar
> views from our triology of Abrahamic religions. Would you terminate, or
> alter, the dynamics of a significant relationship upon discovering a friend,
> or family member, to be homosexual, if you all along accepted his propensity
> for adultery and fornication?
>
>
>
> Please refer to material below on what "The Epistle To The Hebrews" has to
> say on the punishment for *fornicators*, *adulterers*, and yes, *
> homosexuals,* and decide whether we are justified in utilising public
> power to ostracise people for what they do, behind closed doors, and *
> against* God.
>
>
>
> Needless to say, I reject all public attempts at policing homosexuality.
>
>
>
> Our conflicting views on this needlessly divisive issue notwithstanding, I
> see nothing to diminish my respect and admiration for your courage on key
> questions of our public life.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> LJDarbo
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *"THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS"
>
> Fornicators And Adulterers God Will Judge (13:4)
>
> INTRODUCTION*
>
> 1. In today's society, the honor and sanctity of marriage is under
> constant attack...
> a. Divorce is acceptable, made easy through "no-fault" laws
> b. Adultery is considered normal, faithfulness to one's spouse as
> unrealistic
> c. Among religious and political leaders, many say that standards
> against sexual immorality are antiquated
>
> 2. Even in the church, sexual immorality is a major problem evidenced
> by...
> a. The high number of divorces among Christians
> b. The frequent reports sexual failings among preachers, elders, and
> other Christians
>
> 3. This is not to say there are not those who still hold marriage in
> high esteem...
> a. Many people still believe sex is for marriage, and marriage is
> for life
> b. I've been blessed to have:
> 1) The example of my wife's grandparents, married 77 years
> 2) The example of my grandmother, widowed with six children when
> only 30 years old, remaining single for over fifty years
> 3) Parents and in-laws who both were married over 50 years each
> 4) Three brothers, who along with myself are still married to our
> first wives
>
> 4. In truth, our culture today is not that much different from the
> society of the first century...
> a. Where divorce and remarriage was rampant (women were known to
> date events by their husbands; e.g., "Yes, that happened during
> husband #5.")
> b. Fornication was acceptable, adultery barely frowned upon
>
> 5. But Christianity offers a true contrast of standards regarding
> morality...
> a. Through clear and unequivocal teaching - *1 Co 6:9-10; Ga 5:19-21;
> Ep 5:3-5*
> b. The same sort of teaching is needed today, which is why we need
> to carefully heed the text of today's lesson:
>
> *"Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but
> fornicators and adulterers God will judge." (He 13:4)*
>
> 6. The verb "is" is not in the Greek, leading some to translate the
> first phrase as:
> a. "Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage
> bed be undefiled;" (NASV)
> b. "Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept
> pure" (NIV),
>
> [Why should we honor marriage, and keep the "marriage bed" (a euphemism
> for marital relations) pure? Because God will judge those who violate
> it!
>
> To see how, let's first define the terms used in the last half of this
> verse...]
>
> *I. DEFINITION OF TERMS*
>
> *A. "FORNICATORS"...*
> 1. The Greek word is *pornos* {por'-nos}, from which we get
> "pornography"
> 2. It is a general word for unlawful and immoral sexual
> relationships (Barclay)
> 3. It includes any kind sex outside of marriage: pre-marital,
> extra-marital (adultery), homosexual, etc.
>
> *B. "ADULTERERS"...*
> 1. The Greek word is *moichos* {moy-khos'}
> 2. It means to have unlawful intercourse with another's wife or
> husband (Thayer)
> a. This may be while they are still married...
> b. Or even AFTER they are divorced if not for the right reason
> - cf. *Mt 5:32; 19:9*
> 3 So a person can be guilty of adultery either:
> a. By having relations with another's spouse
> b. By marrying someone who either:
> 1) Did not put their first spouse away for fornication
> 2) Or was put away by their spouse for ANY reason
>
> *C. "GOD"...*
> 1. The Supreme Being, eternal and holy - *Re 4:8*
> 2. Omniscient and Omnipresent - *Ps 139:1-12*
> 3. Loving, yet just - cf. *Jn 3:16; He 10:30-31; 12:29*
>
> *D. "WILL JUDGE"...*
> 1. The Greek word is *krino* {kree'-no}
> 2. "the act of condemning and decreeing (or inflicting) penalty
> on one" (Thayer)
>
> [Marriage should be held in honor, because the Bible makes it clear
> that God will condemn and somehow inflict penalty on those who are
> fornicators and adulterers who do not repent!
>
> But why will God judge fornicators and adulterers?]
>
> *II. WHY GOD WILL JUDGE FORNICATORS AND ADULTERERS*
>
> *A. BECAUSE THEY DESTROY THE LIVES OF OTHERS...*
> 1. They destroy marriages
> a. Either their own, by their infidelity (trust is often
> destroyed)
> b. Or others, by committing adultery with another's spouse
> c. Sexual immorality is a major cause of divorce, which God
> hates - *Mal 2:16*
> 2. They destroy families
> a. Where divorce occurs, families are shattered
> b. The children usually suffer the most, often with severe
> emotional problems throughout their lives
> c. Jesus warned about despising the needs of children - *Mt 18:
> 5-7,10-11,14*
> 3. They destroy friendships
> a. Read carefully *Pro 6:30-35*
> b. It is difficult, if not impossible, to restore good
> friendships after one has violated another's spouse
>
> *B. BECAUSE THEY DESTROY THEIR OWN LIVES...*
> 1. Read carefully *Pro 5:1-14*
> a. You lose your honor (your reputation is destroyed)
> b. You lose your wealth (ever hear of alimony?)
> c. You lose your health (via STDs, perhaps even AIDS)
> 2. Adultery and fornication is indeed a sin against your own body
> - cf. *1 Co 6:18*
> a. There is emotional damage (wracking guilt)
> b. There is social damage (ostracized by others)
> c. There is physical damage (venereal disease)
>
> *C. BECAUSE THOSE WHO ARE CHRISTIANS ARE ESPECIALLY GUILTY...*
> 1. They have taken members of the body of Christ and made them
> members of a harlot - *1 Co 6:15-16*
> 2. They have taken their body, a temple of the Holy Spirit, and
> given it to a child of the devil - *1 Co 6:19-20*
> 3. As Christians, who have been...
> a. Made in the image of God
> b. Redeemed by the blood of Jesus
> c. Made a temple of the Holy Spirit
> ...they have allowed their lusts to bring them as low as
> animals!
>
> [When God's HIGHEST CREATION, because of purely selfish reasons,
> destroys marriages, families, friendship, even their own selves, we can
> understand why God WILL JUDGE such, and why Paul wrote what he did to
> the Corinthians:
>
> *"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom
> of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters,
> nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor
> covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will
> inherit the kingdom of God." (1 Co 6:9-10)*
>
> But HOW will God judge fornicators and adulterers?]
>
> *III. HOW GOD WILL JUDGE FORNICATORS AND ADULTERERS*
>
> *A. HE WILL JUDGE IN THE FUTURE...*
> 1. They will not inherit the kingdom of God - *1 Co 6:9-10; Ep 5:
> 5-7*
> 2. They will suffer eternal torment - *Re 21:8*
>
> *B. BUT HE ALSO JUDGES IN THE PRESENT...*
> 1. They become God's enemies - cf. *Ja 4:4*
> a. While this passage likely speaks of spiritual adultery, it
> would apply to literal adultery as well
> b. Adulterers are estranged of God's fellowship, care and love
> c. True peace and joy cannot be theirs
> 2. They receive in their own bodies what they rightfully deserve
> - cf. *Ro 1:24-27*
> a. Those who engage in such immorality do indeed "receive in
> themselves the penalty of their error" (e.g., syphilis,
> gonorrhea, herpes, AIDS)
> b. But such is only a FORETASTE of the torment fornicators and
> adulterers will receive, if they do not repent!
>
> *CONCLUSION*
>
> 1. There are many good reasons to honor marriage and keep the "marriage
> bed" undefiled...
> a. The bond between a man and a woman whose relationship is built
> upon trust and love
> b. The joy, peace, and love that children in a strong family enjoy,
> and deserve
> c. The value of strong families in shaping our communities in which
> we live
>
> 2. But we have focused on God's judgment on those who destroy this
> important fabric of our society, and how it gives new meaning to the
> phrase *"be sure your sin will find you out"* (*Num 32:23*)
> a. It is almost impossible to keep immorality secret
> 1) Physical infirmities will more than likely bring it to the
> surface eventually
> 2) Or loose lips will!
> b. Even if one succeeds in hiding their immorality in this life, not
> so in the life to come!
>
> 3. To close on a more positive note, let's offer some hope for those
> who have been guilty of adultery and fornication...
> a. You may not be able to escape the physical consequences of your
> actions
> b. But you can be forgiven, and escape the eternal consequences!
>
> As we consider once again what Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, a
> city known for it loose morals...
>
> *"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom
> of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters,
> nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor
> covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will
> inherit the kingdom of God." (1 Co 6:9-10)*
>
> We now notice the next verse...
>
> *"And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were
> sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus
> and by the Spirit of our God." (1 Co 6:11)*
>
> The gospel of Christ promises wonderful blessings to all sinners who
> will come to Jesus in faith and obedience!
>
> Have you been "washed", "sanctified", and "justified" in the name of
> the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God? (*Ac 2:38; 22:16; Ti 3:5*)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --- On *Tue, 2/3/10, bailo jallow <[log in to unmask]>* wrote:
>
>
> From: bailo jallow <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: The first recorded Lesbian marriage in Mangambougou, Mali. I
> say happy gammy!
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Date: Tuesday, 2 March, 2010, 16:22
>
> LJD,
>
>
>
> Your usual gentlemanly approach of discussing issues of interest to you is
> inspiring.
>
>
>
> Before answering the question that you posed me, I would like to state that
> my position on homosexuality is foremost guided by my religious and cultural
> convictions as a Moslem. As such, I believe that homosexuality is an
> abomination to be shunned and not to be encouraged. However, I also believe
> that the type of sexual activities that consenting adults engage in within
> the confines of their bedrooms or private domains should not fall within the
> purview of any person or authority. What ought to concern someone else is
> what is practiced or displayed in the public arena.
>
>
>
> I am please to have similar sentiments on this issue with hundreds of
> millions of peoples (Jews, Christians, Bahaians, Hindus, Rastafarians,
> Atheists, etc) from all over the world.
>
>
>
> Now regarding your question, I would firmly discourage any local or
> external attempt towards influencing Gambian laws to have homosexuality or
> same-sex marriage recognised as perfectly legal. I do not however think that
> anyone found guilty of such a vice should be ‘beheaded’. Re-orientation in a
> correctional facility might be the best solution.
>
>
>
> In conclusion, I do not support the legalisation of same sex marriages or
> homosexuality from a moral, cultural and natural perspective.
>
>
>
> Cheers
>
>
>
>
>
> Bailo
>
> --- On *Mon, 1/3/10, Lamin Darbo <[log in to unmask]>* wrote:
>
>
> From: Lamin Darbo <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: The first recorded Lesbian marriage in Mangambougou, Mali. I
> say happy gammy!
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Date: Monday, 1 March, 2010, 1:44
>
> Bailo
>
> Assuming your position is accepted, what manner of conversation would you
> recommend between The Republic of The Gambia, and its homosexual community?
>
> I am proceeding on the basis that like in the Malian example, some members
> of homosexual Gambia may insist on living with their significant others in a
> marriage, or in relationships akin to a marriage.
>
> Is your concern, and, or rejection of homosexuality restricted to moral
> condemnation, or do you consider it proper for the law to punitively
> intervene?
>
>
>
>
>
> LJDarbo
>
>
>
> Bailo
>
>
>
> Thank you for your thoughts.
>
> Your "religious and cultural convictions as a Moslem" are not in doubt, and
> I applaud your faith in the context of the Islamic religion.
>
> As to "shunning" the "abomination" that, in your view, is homosexuality, I
> concede you share that perspective with "millions of peoples (Jews,
> Christians, Bahaians, Hindus, Rastafarians, Atheists, etc) from all over the
> world".
>
> Referring to your original reaction therefore, there appears to be some
> contextual difficult in your explicit equation of homosexuality with
> "Western ... moral decadence ...". Here again, I concede the widely held,
> if erroneous view, that homosexuality is a "Western" phenomenon. Your
> difficulty is that for practical purposes, Africa is not the natural home of
> "Jews, Bahaians, or Hindus". In that regard, is it not more plausible to
> view homosexuality as of universal prevalence, as a human issue? Islamic
> teaching on the subject appears to support the contention that as a failing,
> homosexuality is a universal failing.
>
> For example, the universalism argument appears to be supported by the
> fundamental precept that Mohammed (PBUH) is the last of God’s prophets, and
> Islam, the perfection of religions. A careful analysis of this central
> doctrinal tenet suggests that notwithstanding its geographic delimitations
> at birth, the Islamic message is for people the world over. The logic of
> this position is that pronouncements on homosexuality, like the Quranic
> message in its totality, addresses people in all corners of the world.
> Again, a demonstration that as a failing, homosexuality is a universal
> human failing in so far as it inheres - even if among a tiny number - in
> societies the world over.
>
> On homosexuality, the views of Christianity, and Judaism, are no different
> to those of Islam, giving us a complete picture of the Abrahamic progeny of
> religions on this divisive issue. I take no issue with the views *per se*,
> but if their practical effect is to discriminate against equal stakeholders
> in Gambian public space, I reject any assault on homosexuality, and, on
> homosexuals.
>
>
>
> The foregoing is merely illustrative of the universal prevalence of
> homosexuality, and not a state of affairs that exemplifies "Western
> ... moral decadence ...".
>
>
>
> For me, the thrust of any dispute regarding homosexuality lies in the
> indefensibility of a differential application of a state’s police power to
> similarly situated citizens. If YJ is permitted to stroll our beautiful
> beaches with his female significant other, I see no cogent reason why ATT
> Jr., and yourself, should be prohibited from holding hands, and kissing, in
> broad daylight, if you so chose, along Kairaba Avenue.
>
>
>
> As preliminaries, I remind you that notwithstanding the population's
> overwhelming adherence to the Islamic faith, The Gambia remains a secular
> state. In consequence of that basic reality, no citizen must suffer for
> reasons rooted in religious outrage.
>
>
>
> Additionally, the Constitution, at section 33, guarantees equal protection
> under the law.
>
>
>
> Overall, my query is limited to whether fallible humans, in public life,
> should sit in moral judgement on matters that are ultimately between a
> person and God, especially when other vices, clearly more common (see
> opening quotation), and yet accepted as lifestyle choices, attract similar
> views from our triology of Abrahamic religions. Would you terminate, or
> alter, the dynamics of a significant relationship upon discovering a friend,
> or family member, to be homosexual, if you all along accepted his propensity
> for adultery and fornication?
>
>
>
> Please refer to material below on what "The Epistle To The Hebrews" has to
> say on the punishment for *fornicators*, *adulterers*, and yes, *
> homosexuals,* and decide whether we are justified in utilising public
> power to ostracise people for what they do, behind closed doors, and *
> against* God.
>
>
>
> Needless to say, I reject all public attempts at policing homosexuality.
>
>
>
> Our conflicting views on this needlessly divisive issue notwithstanding, I
> see nothing to diminish my respect and admiration for your courage on key
> questions of our public life.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> LJDarbo
>
>
> --- On *Sun, 28/2/10, bailo jallow <[log in to unmask]>* wrote:
>
>
> From: bailo jallow <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: The first recorded Lesbian marriage in Mangambougou, Mali. I
> say happy gammy!
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Date: Sunday, 28 February, 2010, 16:53
>
>
>
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