Christians lobby against Homosexual Bill
Christians in Botswana are rising up in what is dubbed the ‘No Campaign to Bill 29’ against the Homosexuality Bill that will soon be brought to parliament.
The Christian community has slammed the proposed Bill - (Penal Code [Amendment] Bill, 2022) - as ungodly, anti-Christian and unbiblical and are now lobbying various Members of Parliament to reject the Bill or call for a national referendum on the issue. Christian civic activist and labour union leader, Japhta Radibe alongside Christian civic activist and Parliamentary Legal Counsel, Thebe Ramokhua have ignited the march of Christians to lobby against the proposed Bill.
They have written letters to Members of Parliament which contain warnings against promoting and allowing homosexual practices.
Part of a letter which has already been submitted at various Parliamentary offices in Gaborone constituency reads:
"Jehovah God warns nations that allow and promote the practices of abominations such as homosexual same sex practices, of the dire and fearsome consequences of His judgement, and I accordingly warn our Government of Botswana and the leaders of our nation, of God's inevitable fearsome judgement, should it pass the bill into law.
“I write to you as a Christian, and as your constituent, as well as a citizen of Botswana, hereby calling upon you to reject the proposed law, and to warn Parliament and the Nation about this law, and further to reject the law when it is brought to a vote, by voting against it, or abstaining, or walking out of the House of Parliament during the vote for the bill. Should you vote for Bill No. 29 of 2022 (Penal Code [Amendment] Bill, 2022), you will not be representing me, nor the God fearing Nation of Botswana."
In an interview with The Midweek Sun, Ramokhua explained that the legislation has two clauses but it is one of the most seminal pieces of legislation to come before the house of parliament, as it will change the way life is understood in Botswana and the lifestyle of Batswana.
“My view is that this matter is so fundamental that it should be referred to all the people of Botswana to decide,” Ramokhua said.
He is calling for a national referendum on the matter as he said that the destiny of the social fabric of Botswana cannot be decided without the input of the peoples of Botswana.
Ramokhua said that we are all made in the image of God and all must enjoy protection and rights from the law but these must be placed against the rights of other people. “God loves all,” Ramokhua said, adding that that God can transform people’s lives.
He explained that if laws are changed on how people feel, then people will one-day demand to marry animals. Ramokhua said that there should be a point where people stem the tide on these issues.
Botswana is a Christian nation and therefore, according to Biblical laws it is an abomination to allow homosexuality.
Ramokhua said Members of Parliament must know that the National Assembly Powers and Protection Act Section 3 gives them special privileges to speak and transact issues without fear or favour.
He said that Members of Parliament should not vote along party lines but they must vote wisely and on behalf of the people that voted for them.
Ramokhua revealed that there are plans underway nationwide for people to send letters to their area Member of Parliament to lobby them not to vote in favour of the Bill
At the time of print, the Evangelical Fellowship of Botswana (EFB) had already marched to the Molepolole North MP, Oabile Regoeng’s office and submitted a letter to him on the above issue.
“People who act out of principle will not be unfazed by lack of resources,” Ramokhua said, adding that although it seems like a mammoth task to spread the campaign nationwide, they will do it regardless.
Member of Parliament for Gaborone Bonnington South, Christian Greef held a consultative meeting with various organisations in his constituency on the Bill to seek their views that he will use to debate the Bill in Parliament.
Senior Administrator of the Gaborone Bonnington South Parliamentary office Benjamin Kelepang said that the position of the Church is that this is a very serious matter which needs to be taken to the nation via a referendum.
He said that they appreciate the input of all stakeholders not only the Church, adding that the Gaborone Bonnington South Parliamentary office did not only meet with Church leadership but other stakeholders such as NGOs.
However, the Policy and Legal Advocacy officer for LEGABIBO, Raymond Kolanyane has said that the Church is being irresponsible in the movement they are creating. He noted that they are urging Batswana to go against the second commandment of every Christian that is for all to love their neighbour.
He noted that the current law limits the ability of others to access health facilities and therefore it puts the lives of many at risk of illnesses such as HIV.
He said when one criminalises a certain community it becomes difficult for those marginalised people to access certain health amenities thereby ensuring that diseases such as HIV can spread easily.
Kolanyane said that the queer community and LEGABIBO do not condone the indoctrination of children into any sexuality.
He urged the Church not to mislead people on how to approach and use their faith. Reminding them that Batswana have a mission to be a compassionate and caring nation.