Fortunately, we have had persons from all walks of life expressing their candid views with the majority venting their spleen of disapproval by branding it as ethically and morally reprehensible. This category encompasses the men of religion and morality. The question of whether all men are to be religiously inclined is still largely a matter of conviction and choice so far as the three recognised religions are concerned.<\/p>\n
Recently, some developments within the Christian fraternity have resulted in certain individuals to wonder whether Christianity is making the required impact in the lives of the masses. I am referring to the despicable phenomenon where some priests have and still sodomise innocent souls. Other religious institutions shamelessly and contemptibly ordain gay and lesbian bishops. If the fathers are gradually slipping into the abyss of total spiritual decadence, what will be the lot of their children?<\/p>\n
Legally, it is a common knowledge that the constitution of a country serves as the fundamental laws of the land that illuminates people about their rights and privileges. Laws hinge primarily on morality. Essentially, morality is the life-blood of laws, the yardstick for accurate measurement and the scale on which parity is determined. In short, the laws of a country and morality in their entirety are inseparable.<\/p>\n
It will interest you that whatever is considered moral is ultimately perceived as lawful or legal. For a want of a better illustration, a married man or woman is morally enslaved not to subject the wife or husband to any form of torture or abuse. If the contrary happens, there is a breach of the norm, domestic violence becomes the offence and a possible legal tussle may ensue.<\/p>\n
In essence, what I am simply advocating is, there is the need for us to pass our choices via morality\u2019s litmus paper to ascertain whether we will be passed or failed. The laws of the land could also be a viable complement in ensuring a holistic decision. I put morality first before legal frameworks with respect to the topic under discussion because the latter is mostly man\u2019s somewhat parochial whim. The former on the other hand is likened to the goal post which cannot be shifted unduly.<\/p>\n
There are others who would want to raise the issue of relativity in terms of morality more so when one has to defend the course of homosexuals. But I would want to submit that morality hinges on three basic pillars- religion, conscience and nature. So it does not matter where one positions his or her views, homosexuality is still a conspicuous suspect.<\/p>\n
When one takes a look at religion vis-a-vis homosexuality and lesbianism, the Bible, Koran and traditional ordinances and acceptable practices do not offer a jot of avenue for such vile desire to thrive. The Bible is replete with injunctions barring humans from engaging in this abomination. There is not adequate space to espouse these biblical verses. Your guess is as good as mine if a Muslim is caught flouting Allah\u2019s express command concerning same sex relationship.<\/p>\n
Moreover, what humanity has been blessed with is the unerring measurer of right and wrong-the conscience. That is why anybody in their right state of conscience would not deliberately attempt to harm a fellow human. That is why we ascribe absurdity to the man who bypasses his wife to rape or defile someone. Have you wondered why we do not shudder in perplexity when the \u2018grandchild\u2019 of a she goat grows and impregnates the \u2018grandmother\u2019which gave birth to its \u2018mother\u2019? Indeed, in the midst of unrestrained human desire comes the spill over of buffoonery.<\/p>\n
Nature also speaks to mankind in diverse ways and it takes the critical mind to appreciate what it offers. For we know that even animals would not dare truncate nature\u2019s order. This is so because they have not the ability to do so. But man who is superior in nature\u2019s scheme of things and better informed has tried and is trying to re-order pre-existing forms in his quaint sophistication.<\/p>\n
Our birth has tutored us to acknowledge that the standard and proper way of sexual intercourse between two consenting adults is the penis and vagina interaction. Anything outside this domain is considered unnatural. Hence, homosexuality and lesbianism are by-products of man\u2019s blatant resolve to disregard the norm.<\/p>\n
Therefore, lethal homosexuality and its toxic sister, lesbianism can be simplified as psychological, emotional, and spiritual malaise that flow from the inordinate desire and passion of a depraved soul. The diction may be too harsh but the truth must not be economised bearing in mind that it is the truth that will liberate us.
The moderator of the Presbyterian church, Ghana hit the nail right on the head by describing homosexuality as filthy. When men of reason refuse to avert insanity, their indifference causes them to be possible candidates of double lunacy.<\/p>\n
There can, therefore, be no compromises on such sensitive matter. We all love to enjoy our rights and freedoms as citizens of this country. An enduring factor of right is the long term positive benefits it offers. If in the short term someone suffers gravely from the right accorded him or her, of what good is it to the nation? That is if someone is given the green light to practice homosexuality and in the long round the negative effects are awful, what good have I extended to my neighbour? Of course one would want to say it is a matter of personal choice but I would want to say it is a distorted choice necessitating the need for us to be our brothers\u2019 keeper.<\/p>\n
We should not forget no man is an island; what happens to my neighbour directly or indirectly affects me. That is why Ghana could not escape some of the negative effects of the skirmishes in Ivory Coast. Who knows when your child, grandchild, brother or sister may complain of a dripping anus?<\/p>\n
I was taken aback not unsettled when I heard some comments on Oprah Winfrey\u2019s show telecast on viasat 1on 11th July, 2011 around 4pm and 5pm. The topic centred on spirituality and man. The three personalities on the panel were considered as persons with some acumen on matters pertaining to spirituality.<\/p>\n
A man in a clerical garb and a dreadlocks man who were on the panel made the following statements respectively: \u201cbeing a gay is a divine gift from God\u201d and \u201cbeing gay is a divine right.\u201d Of a truth, I asked myself whether the man in the clerical garb had a different Bible from what we have in which God categorically condemns same sex relationship. Assertions like the ones quoted earlier are undoubtedly spiritually inaccurate and fleshly inspired. Why would God give a gift to the being He has created which will later ensnare him or her?<\/p>\n
Whatever the case may be homosexuality and lesbianism are not God\u2019s original sexual orientations for mankind. If that were not the case I do not think man and woman would have been created in the first place. The two acts, if allowed to take root, will result in the truncation of the continuity of humanity. I even pity my sisters who are aspiring to marry their Mr. Right and procreate. Already, the population of women surpasses that of men in the country.<\/p>\n
Once again I would like to commend persons who have openly condemned these acts and not those trapped in them. I believe that if our brothers and sisters hooked to these acts are spoken to in love and with understanding they may see their folly and amend their ways. They must not be stigmatised which may eventually lead to marginalisation. We are yet to hear government\u2019s position on this matter. I pray they do not consider their political gains first before reason prevails.<\/p>\n
I must reiterate that those who are claiming that these lesbians and homosexuals and their sexual orientations are natural or biological are in the wrong. The acceptable sexual orientation (man and woman) is pre-determined biologically. That is why even in homosexual and lesbian relationships, one of the partners must behave as man or woman.<\/p>\n
The call against homosexuality and lesbian relationships in Ghana I believe is an unequivocal plea for the restoration of sanity in our fragile society. The quickest we respond to it positively, the better it will be for the promotion of balance in our communities and society at large.<\/p>\n
By Okofo-Dartey Samuel
sodesq2000@yahoo.com<\/p>\n<\/div>\n