[Engaged] Call Me Kuchu: For the LGBT Community in Uganda
Dear All,
Kyogen Carlson, the Teacher at the Dharma Rain Zen Center in Portland, Oregon, has asked various Zen groups to post information on this documentary about a terrible situation. They are trying to raise funds. This concerns the tragic situation of LGBT Ugandans who were being violently attacked after the anti-gay law was passed there.
He writes ...
Quote:
[Consultations], much of it with local and Ugandan Evangelicals, has led to several events here in Portland about this problem.
First, we will be showing the award winning film “Call Me Kuchu” at a theater here in Portland. “Kuchu” is the term Ugandan LGBT folks have chosen for themselves. We have also arranged for a number of people who feature prominently in the film, including Bishop Christopher Senyonjo and LGBT activitsts, to come to Portland to be on a panel to address the audience after the film.
Next, we are arranging for another showing of the film on the campus of a local conservative Christian University, with the blessing of the administration, and hosted by an institute of the University. The purpose of this event is to bring to awareness within their larger community the involvement of Evangelicals in stirring up this issue. A Ugandan Evangelical will be present to attest to the veracity of the film. This is a huge step.
Finally, a dialog is planned to bring Christians and non-Christians, right and left, Gay and straight, together to meet about this and related issues. That will be challenging, but from my experience, promises to be rich and fruitful.
... We are looking for individuals, institutes, organizations, what-have-you, who would be willing to help fund the expenses involved in bringing the Ugandans to Portland. We are about a third of the way there, which is great on short notice.
... We have secured funds to bring Bishop Christopher and John Abdallah Wambere, a Ugandan LGBT activist. We hope to raise enough to bring Bishop’s assistant.
To make a donation via PayPal for the Bishop Christopher, Call Me Kuchu Film Event, please use the link below.
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/websc...=JS83JXMYDLFR6
Here is information about the film. Maybe some folks would be interested in contacted Kyogen or the producers about arranging a similar event.
http://callmekuchu.com/
Gassho, J
Call Me Kuchu: For the LGBT Community in Uganda
Let's see what Jesus said about judging and persecuting others:
Mathew 7:1-2 "Do not judge others or you to will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the same measure you use, it will be measured to you"
Mark 12:31 "The most important commandment, ...Love God with all your heart...The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."
Mathew 20:28 "the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (I am not seeing how persecution and passionately serving others to the point of laying down your life for them means the same thing)
Mathew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God”
Mathew 5:7 "Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy"
Luke 14:11 "For everyone that exalts himself above others will be humbled and everyones who humbles himself shall be exalted"
The bible has been interpreted to justify all sorts of atrocities through out history. It is time we (Christians) use it to justify love.
Call Me Kuchu: For the LGBT Community in Uganda
My message here is aimed at my follow Christians out of my personal frustration with Christian theology being used to justify atrocities like the one going on in Uganda. My understanding is the bill in question capitalized on a general belief in Uganda that homosexuality is anti-Christain and harmful for African families. The bill that was originally submitted for vote in the parliament recommended the death penalty for being homosexual. The death penalty?! It has sense been "toned down" to a punishment of up to life in prison. I normally do not discuss Christianity here because I know it is a sensitive subject, but this thread, in my mind, was clearly about Christian fueled persecution of gays.
I get where you are coming from about the commandment to love God and our neighbors. How can love be forced? I agree it can't be. The greek word used in this verse is entole meaning an injunction, precept or commandment. The word entole comes from the greek word entellomai which can be interpreted as foundation. So the verse could also be read as the foundation of life is to love God and our neighbors. I believe this verse not because it was written in a book but because I have felt it at a spiritual level. It is something I intimately connect with.
I do not believe in hell, and there is Biblical support for that belief. I must add that I do not take the Bible as literal as many Christians. The Bible contradicts itself over and over and can be interpreted in so many different ways. I believe it is a book written by man, over thousands of years, to express their understanding of God. It is beautiful when understood that way. It is not perfect because we are not perfect. It is a reflection of our humanity. Jesus told us the Spirit of God is sent to guide us not the Bible. I do not say this to devalue the Bible because I believe it does have value within it's context.
Something I became to believe because of my Buddhist studies is the Christian scriptures are like a finger that points at the moon. Obviously one book can not contain all there is to know about the boundlessness of God. It does not even make logical sense. The moon in the Christian sense being a spiritual connection with God, our fellow humans, and all of creation.
Perhaps, my beliefs put me on the fringe of both Christianity and Buddhism. I am OK with that. I share this not with the expectation that anyone else will believe as I do, or that I have all the answers, or that I am even right. They are just my understanding. Like the the Bible can not contain the boundlessness of God neither can my understanding.
Is being gay a sin? I don't know. I don't understand why it should be because I see nothing wrong with it. My understanding of sin is something that separates us from a spiritual and loving connection with God and that is deeply personal.
I too have family and friends that are homosexual. I love them deeply, especially my brother. I accept all people with open arms. What I hope for is all my brothers and sisters put love first in whatever relationship they are in.
Deepest bows, Troy