Theresa May, British Prime Minister
After the British PM’s unguarded statement, criticisms and condemnations have followed as expected. I would like to add my voice and state unequivocally my position concerning this issue.
The common words I have heard: culture, christianity, gay rights, same-sex marriage and polygamy.
[ads1]I am a Ghanaian Christian who believes in the mystery of nature and the universe. I am therefore coming to this discussion through the lenses of Ghanaian culture, Christ and Nature.
Same-Sex-Marriage (SSM)
Both my Ghanaian culture and my Christ immutably define marriage as between a man and a woman.
Gay rights
This is where it becomes tricky. I think Theresa’s statement could be taken to mean expunging homosexuality from the criminal code. The British criminalised polygamy and homosexuality because, at that time, the two were against their understanding of love. They have changed their mind about homosexuality. Must we also change our mind? If Yes, to what? If No, against what?
Let me start with Nature
Whether we were created or evolved, at the beginning, there was a male and a female. That is why we are all here today. Marriage is nature’s own arrangement for the perpetuation of our species. My culture and faith derive their authority from the decree of nature. No change to nature’s law. PERIOD.
Ga culture
The 1st male hairdresser in Accra was a distant uncle called Akwei-yoo (Akwei-female). He was gay, but nobody touched him. He was a free man. Akwei-yoo never dreamed of marrying another man nor even fondle another man in public.
I remember one day few friends and I saw Akwei-yoo and we started shouting Bro. Akwei. He knew me so he reported me to his mother, who then reported me to my grandmother. The old lady was so disappointed that I would join rascals to mock my own uncle. Akwei was loved and protected.
There was this other guy from Ga Mashi who used to sell Jollof rice every afternoon in Makola. He was patently gay but everyone loved him. He cooked probably the best Jollof I have ever eaten. Come and see this Bukom boy with permed hair and lipstick selling in the sun. Fun for everyone.
I can say that Gamei tolerated this deviation, and the homosexuals also knew how to behave. They would never have thought of SSM. Gamei knew it was unnatural and sinful, but we lived together.
Can we decriminalize it without legalizing SSM? Yes, we can. That was the status quo 40+ years ago.
Christianity
It is important Christians to go with scripture and not their emotions. Marriage is between a man and a woman. What about people’s right to sin including homosexuality? I know this unprecedented movement of licentiousness to destroy the order of nature is unnerving, but God is God. No panic.
The Apostle Paul captured the madness going in Romans Chapter 1 26-32. I will quote parts.
26For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due……
32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
This is God’s position. He gave up on them 2000years ago. He said ‘’do whatever you like, but there would be consequences in your bodies. Then the Apostle continued with the RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT of GOD…… I think God wants us to leave this area of judgment to Him. He is the only righteous one.
I am not a lawyer but I believe there is something called ‘’double jeopardy’’ in law. If God has determined how He would deal with His creation who has gone wayward in this unnatural, shameful and sinful way, should man also punish the deviant for the same offence?
I think Christians can condemn the sin, but must reach out to the sinners. That is what Jesus would do. Unfortunately, the moral voice of the church is hoarse in Ghana. The salt has lost its saltiness.
Polygamy
This is the practice where a man marries multiple wives. Even though it is a foolish law, the crime is not about a man having sex or even kids with multiple women. Why is it still in our criminal code?
In Ga culture, a properly married woman is called BOI-EKPAA YOO ‘’BEO’’ (6 underclothes woman). A man is allowed to have only ONE BEO in his entire life. Not even death changes that rule. No family will contract another such marriage for him. Technically, therefore, there is no polygamy in Ga culture. But things have changed since the ancestors of Theresa May invaded magnificent Ga. Lol.
Now, those shouting Theresa should legalize polygamy before talking about SSM, I suggest they stop. There is no basis for such an argument. My worldview is not based on what TM does or does not. Even if she changes their law to allow polygamy, I will not change my mind on SSM. SSM is first, unnatural, then unGhanaian. You may add anti-christian, but I cannot impose my faith on anyone.
What my Ga culture has done ever since, was to turn a blind eye to what people do in secret. It is their right to sin, as long as we do not see it. My understanding of Romans 1 is that may engage in this sin punishable by the righteous God. On that note, I think we can change our mind to decriminalise it.
Homosexuality is not Western culture. It is universal. The West has just accepted it as a marriageable relationship. The gay funeral of Akwei-yoo 20years ago, before any nation legalised homosexuality, would have told you that it has always been around. The West wants us to accept SSM.
The West is silly. Look, if I’m seen kissing and fondling my wife in public, I would lose the next elections. Our love life is private. The homosexuals know that. I advise them to keep their love affair private, and like Akwei-yoo, they would be fine. But as for SSM, it will not happen in Ghana.
Tswa omanye aba.