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News and commentary about the anti-gay lobbyMarch 27th, 2010
Ugandan pastor Martin Ssempa, who has been an ardent supporter of Uganda’s attempts to legislate gay people out of existence, has been denounced by his Alma Mater.
In an undated statement placed on the web site of Philadelphia Bible University, the administration announced:
Recently, Ugandan pastor Martin Ssempa made statements concerning public policy regarding homosexuals in that nation. Philadelphia Biblical University (PBU) categorically condemns any position that calls for violence against human beings created in the image and likeness of God, or violent solutions to socially controversial issues. While PBU holds to a biblically defined position regarding human sexuality, to call for such action clearly violates the teaching of the Bible, and the principles and practices taught at PBU. Ssempa did earn a graduate degree from PBU in 1994. Ssempa also received an honorary degree from PBU in 2006 for his ministry of compassion to HIV/AIDS victims in his native land. The University was not aware at that time of Ssempa\’s recently expressed views. His present publicly stated position in no way represents or reflects the views of the University, its administration, or its faculty. It is our sincere hope that Christians would hold their convictions regarding homosexuality with a spirit of grace and compassion toward all human beings.
Ssempa often signs his name with Ph.D. based on the honorary degree conferred by PBU.
[Hat tip: GayUganda]
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Lindoro Almaviva
March 27th, 2010
Any way that PhD can be revoked?
On unrelated news, PageOneQ.com has the following link on the top of their page: Bob McDonnell: There’s no discrimination in Virginia
Problem is that when you click on the link, the article on Richmond Times-Dispatch says it does not exist. Anyone know what is going on with this?
David
March 27th, 2010
“While PBU holds to a biblically defined position regarding human sexuality, to call for such action clearly violates the teaching of the Bible, ”
The tragic thing is that homophobes, including PBU cannot see that Ssempa’s “kills the gays” is the inevitable consequence of teaching “homosexuality is sin”, so their allegedly ‘Biblically defined position regarding human sexuality’ (which presumably condemns same-sex sexual intimacy) clearly violates the teaching of the Bible as well.
After all, if one believes that homosexuality is sin, the root of that belief lies in fraudulent translation and interpretation from Leviticus 20:13, which requires the very death penalty Ssempa is seeking and PBU is condemning.
Of course, rational people recognize that the death penalty requirement in Leviticus 20:13 negates the credibility of interpreting this passage as a condemnation of homosexuality.
PBU cannot have it both ways – if they accept Leviticus 20:13 as condemning homosexuality, they have embraced Ssempa’s ‘kill the gays’ no matter how much they deny it.
If, on the other hand, they truly respect the humanity of all people, and reject murdering GLBTQ people, they must also reject “homosexuality is sin”.
There is no middle ground in literalist interpretation – either homosexuality is a sin punished by death, or it is not sin.
DM
April 30th, 2016
You are missing the whole point of the Mew Testament, and Jesus dying on the cross….grace and forgiveness and life!!!!
Paul in Canada
March 27th, 2010
Good on PBU for speaking out – that’s gotta hurt Ssempa’s ego – but shame on them for not seeing their own hupocracy!
----
March 27th, 2010
“Any way that PhD can be revoked?”
Who cares? He got it from a Christian institution.
Timothy (TRiG)
March 29th, 2010
Anyone can hand out PhDs. They’re meaningless unless they come from a reputable accredited institution.
Bible University, indeed!
TRiG.
Amii
March 31st, 2010
What, no Ssempa comments? He’s being awfully quiet about this latest development.
anteros
April 4th, 2010
That honorary degree really needs to be taken away from Ssempa. We’re talking about a guy, who uses the title “Dr” to boldly make these kind of authoritative statements on national television in his native land:
“Homosexuality is the most efficient method of spreading HIV” (1:45)
I find it offensive that such a person should be allowed to pose behind a title that depicts him as an honorable authority on HIV/AIDS in Uganda.
Take away the honorary degree.
Konchok Rangdrol
November 25th, 2012
I wanted to thank Paul and David and the rest of you too for writing. I wrote about Ssempa and even wrote a letter to PBU. I don’t remember receiving a response from them, however, I am very happy to learn that they revoked their association with him.
I also think that yes, PBU holds some serious troubling views, in my opinion, as a gay/bisexual man, as a Buddhist monk, and as a former mental health worker and addictions counselor. That said, I think it is important to thank the school, and to continue to engage schools like PBU, in a frank dialogue.
As long as schools like PBU offer education in counseling and the humanities, they must know that if their students are to succeed, they must become open-minded individuals who are competent in relating to ALL people, and not just Evangelical Christian communities.
Kind regards,
Getsul Konchok Rangdrol (CJ Plourde, Montreal, Quebec)
Konchok Rangdrol
November 25th, 2012
@Jim Burroway
FYI, I just tried to link up to the the administration announced link, in order to read the PBU letter, but the link is dead, stating document cannot be found.
Is it possible to redirect readers to that? If not, do you have a copy I could have? If so, please send to me konchokrangdrol[a]gmail.com
Kind thanks!
kizito samuel
May 12th, 2013
With profound gratitude, let me convey my thanks to Pastor Martin Sempa for his laborious and tireless work that he has done in creating awareness against inhumane acts ie homosexuality in Uganda.
Me as a Ugandan Who values our culture so much greatly support Sempa for his mobilization against these acts. I pity people who are gay the way they will stand the wrath of GOD on the the judgement day. A perversion and they refer it to as a human right. This is a sin that we can not at anyone time allow to prevail in our country Uganda. People let us not look at the political point of this. But lets refer to the spiritual part. If a Theological institution supports Gay, then where are we heading
Richard Rush
May 12th, 2013
kizito samuel,
Haven’t you ever noticed that the nations most accepting of their gay citizens are among the nations ranking highest in every measure of human achievement, prosperity, and general well-being? And haven’t you also noticed that the nations (including Uganda) treating gays with vile contempt are among the nations ranking lowest in those measures? Even within the United States a similar correlation can be seen, to some degree, among the states.
If the people of Uganda want to improve their lives, they should start with a focus on education to reduce their ignorance, illiteracy, superstitious beliefs, and poverty, rather than scapegoating gays as a solution to their problems. History shows that scapegoating of unpopular minority groups has always been an effective way for people, governments, and religious leaders to deflect responsibility for their own failures.
You need to wake up to the fact that many of Uganda’s governmental and religious leaders are demagogues manipulating you to maximize their power and/or wealth.
Ben in Oakland
May 12th, 2013
Honey, just another sinner and bigot, dressed in robes of self righteousness, bathed in ignorance, blinded by spiritual arrogance, and over identifying with god.
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