Mitchell wrong to support gay rights

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Fox Hill MP Fred Mitchell said something that 99.9 per cent of parliamentarians, both past and present, would have never dared to say in a public forum. While paying homage in the House of Assembly to the late South African President Nelson Mandela, Mitchell decided to use that opportunity to voice his support for gay rights in The Bahamas by taking grave exception to those who oppose his position on the matter by alluding to Mandela’s effort in pushing for legislation to end discrimination against homosexuals in South Africa.

Mitchell seems to be saying that those who criticize his pro-gay views but are now heaping praises on Mandela, who himself was pro-gay, are being hypocritical because they have chosen to take issue with him. In defence of these critics, whoever they are, it just might be that they were not aware of Mandela’s views on gay rights.

There are many things about Mandela that most Bahamians are not aware of.

For instance, many of them don’t know that Mandela was the head of a violent terrorist organization called the Umkhonto we Sizwe, which had committed many acts of terrorism in the 1960s, including murder.

To Mandela and his fellow African National Congress comrade the late Oliver Tambo, violence was a means to an end against the white Apartheid government of South Africa.

This deeply troubling aspect of Mandela’s life is well documented and is available for all to see. For those who question the veracity of my claims, all one has to do is to remove their Mandela blinders and objectively examine the data which is available on the Internet from credible sources.

In mentioning Mandela and gay rights in the same breath, Mitchell appears to be saying that because the late anti-apartheid icon supported gay rights, his (Mitchell) position has been duly vindicated, because of Mandela’s immense international appeal and stature.

But the Bible condemns this destructive sexual lifestyle. Leviticus 18:22 says, “You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination” (NASB). I have a gut feeling, however, that what the Bible has to say about human sexuality means very little to Mitchell, based on his statement in the House of Assembly.

I always thought that the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) was the party of the church. Yet we have a PLP MP standing up in the House of Assembly and openly voicing his support for gay rights in this country and no one in his party stood up in order to take issue with what he said. Members of the Christian community really need to start taking a hard, long look at these political candidates before they vote.

We are putting people in the House of Assembly who don’t share our Judeo-Christian values. But somehow I am beginning to suspect that many churchgoers really don’t care about biblical values. What is important to them is that their party wins the general election.

And if that means supporting an individual who openly opposes what God says in His Word, then so be it. I am disappointed that the Bahamas Christian Council hasn’t screamed bloody Mary on this matter.

As an evangelical Christian, I stand diametrically opposed to gay rights and the gay lifestyle because it is a violation of the Word of God.

There are dire consequences for engaging in this abnormal lifestyle. I read on the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC website that gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men or MSM are more severely affected by HIV than any other group in the United States.

The CDC website also noted that among all MSM, black/African American MSM bear the greatest disproportionate burden of HIV.

From 2008 to 2010, HIV infections among young black/African American MSM increased by 20 per cent, as per the CDC website.

Furthermore, the CDC pointed out that in 2010, MSM accounted for 63 per cent of estimated new HIV infections in the United States and 78 per cent of infections among all newly infected men. Considering the untold misery and devastation the gay lifestyle is having on the gay community in the United States, why would an elected government official in this country openly endorse this lifestyle?

Our leaders are supposed to be trying to protect us. Not pushing an agenda that will hurt their people. Mitchell was wrong to openly support gay rights in the House of Assembly.

KEVIN EVANS

Freeport, Grand Bahama,

December 19, 2013.

Comments

UserOne says...

Mitchell was right to support gay rights. You cannot use your religious beliefs to discriminate against ANY group in society. Every person is entitled to equal rights.

Posted 20 December 2013, 1:40 p.m. Suggest removal

CatIslandBoy says...

It is time that we Bahamians remove our religious coverings and expose ourselves as the bigots and the hypocrites that we truly are. The question is not whether or not we condone the homosexual lifestyle, but whether or not we should discriminate against people because of their sexual orientation. As Christians, following in the steps of Jesus, we should hate the sin, but still love the sinner. While I despise the homosexual lifestyle/agenda, I am always aware that the individual is always only one step away from becoming my brother in Christ. While I don't support Mr. Mitchell, nor his party, politically or ideologically, I must conclude that he is right on this one.

As far as the writer's allusion to Mr. Mandela's use of violence in his early years against the apartheid regime, history has vindicated him, and elevated him to the most respected leader of our lifetime.

Posted 20 December 2013, 7:13 p.m. Suggest removal

paul_vincent_zecchino says...

Absolutely spot on, Sir. Anyone who doubts your true words can simply Google, "South Africa's Descent Steepens" to find a lovely video at moonbattery dot com. The video's protagonist is easily identifiable, he's the gentleman with the burning tire 'round his neck.

Mandela pleaded to possessing explosives and weapons supplied by the soviet union and several dozen bombings and killings.

Even during the 90s, he enjoyed singing genocidal toons such as 'Kill the Boer' and other lovely songs.

His supposed benign legend was cooked to order by the leftist media.

Posted 24 December 2013, 9:34 p.m. Suggest removal

john33xyz says...

Wow, Mr. Evans - coming from someone who lives in a country once oppressed by slavery - where black folks had "no rights" - it is just hard to believe you would take a stand against "other" people having rights.

Anyway, what goes around comes around - they say. Perhaps one day, some attribute of your lifestyle and beliefs (no matter how peachy they may seem today) - will be on the chopping block and scorned at by the majority. Hopefully someone will come to your aid at that time.

Good luck with that.

Posted 21 December 2013, 7:55 p.m. Suggest removal

bcitizen says...

Spend some time talking about all the single teen parent children of this country (far more prevalent of a problem) instead of gay peoples business and get back to us on that. Religion loves keeping people in poverty that is why they don't speak about such issues with vigor. No poverty no money for the collection plate! And what better way then uncontrolled reproduction.

Posted 21 December 2013, 10:37 p.m. Suggest removal

242smt says...

It's really sad that people such as Mr. Evans call themselves Christians but then promote intolerance, hatred and discrimination. And, HIV/AIDS is not a gay disease. Are you stuck in 1983?? Too many of our young people have a false sense of security because of the irresponsibility of such preachings.

Posted 21 December 2013, 10:46 p.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

I know you might be optimistic to get something important off your chest before the New Year, but I'd suggest Comrade Ed's house might not be the best place to decide to come out of the closet at? From the sounds it, if a family member during Comrade Ken's Christmas family dinner were to announce that they had made the decision to finally come out of the closet with the revelation they were gay/lesbian, best they all start a ducking for cover, cause you got's know, them turkey wings, drumsticks, breasts, thighs and legs are go'in's be flying across Comrade Ken's Christmas dinner table.

This one demands a double AMEN!

Posted 21 December 2013, 11:56 p.m. Suggest removal

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