Even though no particular cases of widespread sodomy (Homosexuality) have been reported in Rwanda yet, one cannot fail to harbour the fear of it being present in our society today. Many cases involving prominent ‘men of God’ in the neighbouring Uganda have dominated the media in the last few weeks. Homosexuality is the action of Sexual orientation to persons of the same sex. This according to the Rwandan culture, and in Africa as a whole, is something that is unthinkable because it is taken as societal decadence. The term ‘homosexuality’ was first coined in the late 19th century by a German psychologist, Karoly Maria Benkert. Although the term is new, discussions about sexuality in general and same-sex attraction in particular, have occasioned philosophical discussion ranging from Plato’s Symposium to contemporary queer theory. The bible does also talk about this action and it’s where the word Sodomy originated. In Genesis, the bible recounts of how God destroyed the city of Sodom which was located somewhere in Canaan due to the practice of homosexuality. Unfortunately, due to the western world influence, this behaviour has started to slowly crawl into African society. Some countries in the west have legalised same sex marriages… all in the name of human rights. As much as I believe in human rights and freedom, I don’t agree with this kind of ‘inhuman rights’ which allow moral societal decadence into our society. Sodomy is totally unacceptable in the African culture because it is not only unnatural but also disastrous to those who practice it. God created a man and a woman so that they could reproduce and fill the earth. Or could we say that man has already filled the earth and is now using homosexuality as a way of preventing a spill over. But that would be a very weak argument, similar to what the late Juvenal Habyarimana and the genocidaires were saying when trying to deny Rwandans their rights to their home country. I do believe that those who advocate for homosexuality would like to see people in the whole world turn into homosexuals. Now, if that could be the case, wouldn’t it mean that there would be no more reproduction? What would be the meaning of life then? According to some testimonies that I have come across concerning people who have practiced homosexuality, is that this practice leaves very cumbersome side effects to them. Some of the effects are the strange anal infections and the damaging of the intestines to the extent that some of these people face the dropping out of the intestines coupled with the pain that goes with the whole thing. The attitude the New Testament in the bible has towards sexuality in general, and same-sex attraction in particular, is a matter of sharp debate. John Boswell a prominent historian argues, in his fascinating Christianity, Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality book, that many passages taken today as condemnations of homosexuality are more concerned with prostitution, or where same-sex acts are described as “unnatural” the meaning is more akin to ‘out of the ordinary’ rather than as immoral. In general, there is nothing good about homosexuality. All we need to do as a society is to stand up against the behaviour and condemn it seriously because the more we relax the more it takes the toll on our young people who pick up anything new that comes their way in the name of modernisation. From the time of our fore fathers, our cultural values and taboos never allowed any kind of bad intrusion. By this, I don’t mean that we should not allow good cultural dynamism, but I suggest that we embrace those that add more value to our norms and solemnly condemn those that could destroy our good society. Let’s also not just condemn but also take those already taking that path as people needing serious medical attention and counselling. I rest my case. charlesprinc@gmail.com
