Meet the American Pastor Behind Uganda's Anti-Gay Crackdown

[one...two...tree 2,762]

In late February, when Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signed the nation's harsh new anti-gay bill into law, he claimed the measure had been "provoked by arrogant and careless western groups that are fond of coming into our schools and recruiting young children into homosexuality." What he failed to mention is that the legislation—which makes homosexuality a crime punishable by life in prison in some cases—was itself largely due to Western interlopers, chief among them a radical American pastor named Scott Lively.

Lively, a 56-year-old Massachusetts native, specializes in stirring up anti-gay feeling around the globe. In Uganda, which he first visited in 2002, he has cultivated ties to influential politicians and religious leaders at the forefront of the nation's anti-gay crusade. Just before the first draft of Uganda's anti-gay bill began circulating in April 2009, Lively traveled to Kampala and gave lengthy presentations to members of Uganda's parliament and cabinet, which laid out the argument that the nation's president and lawmakers would later use to justify Uganda's draconian anti-gay crackdown—namely that Western agitators were trying to unravel Uganda's social fabric by spreading "the disease" of homosexuality to children. "They're looking for other people to be able to prey upon," Lively said, according to video footage. "When they see a child that's from a broken home it's like they have a flashing neon sign over their head."

Lively is not the only US evangelical who has fanned the flames of anti-gay sentiment in Uganda. As they lose ground at home, where public opinion and law are rapidly shifting in favor of gay equality, religious conservatives have increasingly turned their attention to Africa. And Uganda, with its large Christian population, has been particularly fertile ground for their crusade. Journalist (and past Mother Jones contributor) Jeff Sharlet has reported at length on the Family, a politically connected US-based ministry, which promotes hard-line social policies in the East African nation.

But, according to Ugandan gay rights activists, Lively has played an unparalleled role in fostering the climate of hate that gave rise to Uganda's anti-gay law. "The bill is essentially his creation," says Frank Mugisha, director of Sexual Minorities Uganda, a coalition of gay rights organizations.

Mugisha's group has filed a first-of-its-kind lawsuit in US federal court, accusing Lively of international crimes against humanity on the grounds that he and his Ugandan allies allegedly conspired to deprive gay Ugandans of basic human rights.

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/03/scott-lively-anti-gay-law-uganda

[Peikko 1,575]

Seems like the pastor likes to get into bed with some very undesirable company for the sake of his anti-gay crusade.

[JohnR! 5,495]

Seems like the pastor likes to get into bed with some very undesirable company for the sake of his anti-gay crusade.

I am sure that is what Jesus would have wanted...

[Peikko 1,575]

I am sure that is what Jesus would have wanted...

Oh indeed. Jesus was very fond of hate campaigns. The feeding of the 5,000 wasn't, as some suppose, a spontaneous feeding of random people who came to listen to him preach about love and compassion ,they were all ticketed paid up members of the Nazarian anti-gay brotherhood who'd come to hear his speech on gay bashing and the most effective ways to turn them straight.

Edited March 10, 2014 by The Truth™

[JohnR! 5,495]

Oh indeed. Jesus was very fond of hate campaigns. The feeding of the 5,000 wasn't as some suppose a spontaneous feeding of random people who came to listen to him preach about love and compassion ,they were all ticketed paid up members of the Nazarian anti-gay brotherhood.

To be sure, the Lord was evil to the bone. Not an ounce of compassion or empathy for anyone.

[LibCampFireClub 635]

If they [sic] ban the gays, what will be next?

GREELEY, Colo. — A barber here is refusing to serve customers who smell like smoke — pot smoke — even though marijuana is legal throughout Colorado.

And he's legally within his right to discriminate, according to Denver lawyer Scott Robinson.

"Business owners absolutely have the right to refuse service to someone who has been smoking pot, is drunk, or for any other reason as long as it's not an unlawful or unconstitutional reason such as race, religion or gender," Robinson said.

Oh, the humanity!!!

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/03/10/weed-business-refuse-service/6251401/