News / Religion
Gays and Lesbians hits back at Prophet Makandiwa
02 Apr 2014 at 09:50hrs | Views
Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (Galz) have launched a scathing attack on United Family International (Ufic) leader Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa following the ‘man of cloth's' vitriol attack on homosexuals at a church service in the capital last week.
Makandiwa reportedly described gays and lesbians as "mentally sick" while his spokesperson, Pastor Prime Kufakunesu said the church's forthcoming Easter function dubbed Judgement Night 2 was a perfect setting for these "mentally sick" people to receive salvation.
"God never thought anyone could do what they are doing. Men trying to be women, women trying to be men; trying to run away from the natural way of things, that's a result of a reprobate mind," Makandiwa was quoted saying.
In a statement Tuesday, Galz said Makandiwa should maintain silence on homosexuality since some of his followers were of that sexual orientation.
"Prophet (Emmanuel) Makandiwa's statements perpetuate hate and wrong perceptions about lesbians, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTI) people. It is unfortunate coming from a high-ranking church leader of his calibre. As a man of the church, one would expect him to do his gospel duty by standing alongside the marginalised and the social outcast.
"It is one thing for you to remain silent or neutral about homosexuality, it is quite another (for you) to castigate us when some of your followers are LGBTI . . . you do not have the right to judge," read the statement.
The organisation said the renowned prophet should admit wrongdoing in uttering such statements.
"As a pastor and Christian, in order to serve his flock well, he might do so by admitting he is wrong and sharing his frailty than pretending he knows God's will on any given subject.
"We hope he will understand that manipulating the authority of the church to fight political battles is the most blatant sin and that he prays for a day when the question of one's sexuality will become irrelevant and discrimination against LGBTI people will be relegated to the same heap containing slavery, racism (including anti-semitism) , sexism and discrimination against socially marginalised groups and peoples."
Makandiwa reportedly described gays and lesbians as "mentally sick" while his spokesperson, Pastor Prime Kufakunesu said the church's forthcoming Easter function dubbed Judgement Night 2 was a perfect setting for these "mentally sick" people to receive salvation.
"God never thought anyone could do what they are doing. Men trying to be women, women trying to be men; trying to run away from the natural way of things, that's a result of a reprobate mind," Makandiwa was quoted saying.
In a statement Tuesday, Galz said Makandiwa should maintain silence on homosexuality since some of his followers were of that sexual orientation.
"It is one thing for you to remain silent or neutral about homosexuality, it is quite another (for you) to castigate us when some of your followers are LGBTI . . . you do not have the right to judge," read the statement.
The organisation said the renowned prophet should admit wrongdoing in uttering such statements.
"As a pastor and Christian, in order to serve his flock well, he might do so by admitting he is wrong and sharing his frailty than pretending he knows God's will on any given subject.
"We hope he will understand that manipulating the authority of the church to fight political battles is the most blatant sin and that he prays for a day when the question of one's sexuality will become irrelevant and discrimination against LGBTI people will be relegated to the same heap containing slavery, racism (including anti-semitism) , sexism and discrimination against socially marginalised groups and peoples."
Source - Zim Mail
