African countries like Uganda and Nigeria that recently passed appalling laws that subject gays in those countries to harsh penalties have been deservedly criticized. Some Christian leaders in those countries who supported the governments’ moves have hit back at their critics, saying that this whole idea of equal rights for gays is a western colonial import that is being foisted on the local population.
Really? That’s their defense?
This is particularly rich considering that the Christian religion they belong to is undoubtedly a western colonial import while the gay community has been there from time immemorial. So there would be more merit in the African gay community saying that Christianity should be rejected on those grounds. But religious leaders are not noted for their sense of irony.
Um, I think you might want to clear up your first sentence -- it gots itself garbled.
Thanks. That’s what happens when you edit in a hurry!
Not only that, but more directly, these homophobic bills themselves were directly influenced by (mainly white) American Christians…and so, on the face of it, the laws are the colonial imports.
Wait a minute, isn’t centralized police power a western import?