Warren Speaks Out

Quick post today.

Well--here's a change. Rick Warren has apparently been convinced that his reticence to speak out against the proposed Ugandan bill is not the best course of action. He has released this video, which he describes as an "encyclical," aimed at the pastors of Uganda. There he unambiguously denounces any criminalization of homosexuality, particularly that which would result in executions.

I note only that, by addressing pastors in Uganda and not the Ugandan government, Warren technically stays true to his nuanced (and I do not use that term disparagingly) understanding of the role of pastors as distinct from those of politicians.

Who knows? Perhaps his strong statement may have some effect on the debate in Uganda. Some news media report that already (i.e., before Warren's video) revisions to the bill include removing the execution and long prison term penalties in favor of more "refined" punishments (not sure what that means). The bill, according to the report, will also include sections about the need for counseling in order to (in the quoted words of Uganda's Minster of Ethics and Integrity James Nsaba Buturo) "attract errant people to acceptable sexual orientation."

This could complicate things, making it trickier for US-based ex-gay ministries (and people like Warren) to speak as strongly against the bill. Ostensibly, Exodus et al. oppose coercive treatment/therapy. I would hope that they clarify this in their public commentary on the bill. The relief at having the death penalty removed--while palpable--ought not eclipse critical attention to whatever "refined" punishments the new iteration of the bill cooks up.

Warren himself makes no mention of therapy or ex-gay ministries in his message to Ugandan pastors.

More tomorrow,

JF