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In a video to Ugandan pastors, Warren called the proposed law “unjust, extreme and un-Christian toward homosexuals, requiring the death penalty in some cases.” He added, “If I am reading the proposed bill correctly, this law would also imprison anyone convicted of homosexual practice.” Warren also noted that the law would force pastors to report their pastoral conversations with homosexuals to authorities. Continuing his comments, Warren told pastors the law would have what he called a “chilling effect” on their ministry to the hurting. He said in Africa it’s the churches which shoulder the primary responsibility of caring for people infected with HIV/AIDS. Warren said, “If this bill passed, homosexuals who are HIV positive will be reluctant to seek or receive care, comfort and compassion from our churches out of fear of being reported. You and I know that the churches of Uganda are the truly caring communities where people receive hope and help, not condemnation.” All life, Warren said in the video, “No matter how humble or broken, whether unborn or dying, is precious to God. My wife, Kay, and I have devoted our lives and our ministry to saving the lives of people, including homosexuals, who are HIV positive. It would be inconsistent to save some lives and wish death on others. We’re not just pro-life. We are whole life.” Warren also said that the freedom to make moral choices, along with our right to free expression, are gifts endowed by God. He continued, “Uganda is a democratic country with remarkable and wise people, and in a democracy everyone has a right to speak up. For these reasons, I urge you, the pastors of Uganda, to speak out against the proposed law.” Warren also clarified some of what he called the false positions which he said have been attributed to him about this issue. Warren said he does not support the death penalty for homosexuality, neither is he in favor of life imprisonment for homosexuality. He added, “I oppose the criminalization of homosexuality. The freedom to make moral choices is endowed by God. Since God gives us that freedom, we must protect it for all, even when we disagree with their choices.” Warren said when he heard about the proposed Ugandan law, he wrote to the most influential leader he knew there, the Anglican Archbishop of Uganda, and voiced his opposition and concern. Warren said the Archbishop said that he was also opposed to the death penalty for homosexuals. “I knew the Archbishop in Uganda, so I did what I could,” Warren said, “but my influence in that nation has been greatly exaggerated by the media.” Warren also noted that he is not a friend of the Ugandan President. Warren explained in the video why he is speaking out on the issue. He said that as an American pastor, it is not his job to interfere with the politics of other nations, but it IS his role to speak out on moral issues. He added, “It is my role to shepherd other pastors who look to me for guidance, and it is my role to correct lies, errors and false reports when others associate my name with a law that I had nothing to do with, completely oppose and vigorously condemn.” Warren said that the way he usually operates when trying to build consensus for social change is through “direct quiet diplomacy and behind-the-scenes dialogue, rather than through media. But because I didn’t rush to make a public statement, some erroneously concluded that I supported this terrible bill, and some even claimed I was a sponsor of the bill. You in Uganda know that is untrue.” As a result, Warren said, “I am releasing this video to you and your congregations to correct these untruths, and to urge you to make a positive difference at this critical point in your nation. While we can never deny or water down what God’s Word clearly teaches about sexuality, at the same time the church must stand to protect the dignity of all individuals – as Jesus did and commanded all of us to do.” Warren said he wanted to make it clear that God’s Word clearly states that all sex outside of marriage is not what God intends.
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