Republic of Gilead: South Africa

Cross-posted at Love, Joy, Feminism.

Many of us are familiar with the political and social activism of the Religious Right in the U.S., having observed its affronts to LGBTQ equality, reproductive rights, and religious pluralism. It's easy to think of the Christian Right as an American problem, but we must also remember that it's a global matter as well. As progressive bloggers and activists in the U.S. keep an eye on the Religious Right, we must also pay attention to right-wing Christian activism on the international stage.

Many key organizations among the American Religious Right network internationally. A well-known example is the role of American religious figures such as Scott Lively and Lou Engle in encouraging homophobia in Uganda, where a draconian anti-gay bill is currently under consideration. Documentaries such as Vanguard's Missionaries of Hate and God Loves Uganda explore the anti-gay activism of American evangelicals in Uganda, as do exposés such as Box Turtle Bulletin's Slouching Toward Kampala and Political Research Associates' Colonizing African Values: How the U.S. Christian Right is Transforming Sexual Politics in Africa.

Unfortunately, Uganda is not the only example of American Religious Right outreach. For instance, global symposiums such as the World Congress of Families conferences provide opportunities for Religious Right minds from around the world to network. The World Congress of Families views "statism, individualism and sexual revolution" as threats to the family, and its symposiums consistently challenge LGBTQ rights, abortion, and declining fertility. Past World Congress of Families symposiums have been sponsored by American Religious Right groups such as Alliance Defense Fund, Focus on the Family, and Concerned Women for America. NOM's Brian Brown, Concerned Women for America's Janice Shaw Crouse, anti-abortion activist Alveda King, and so-called "ex-gay" activist Richard Cohen are among the many Americans who have been scheduled to speak at World Congress of Families events. Errol Naidoo, founder of the South African Family Policy Institute, described networking with Sharon Slater of Family Watch International and Benjamin Bull of the Alliance Defense Fund at the Sixth World Congress of Families Conference.

Other large-scale gatherings allow American Religious Right leaders to connect with their overseas counterparts. For instance, Errol Naidoo told Joy Magazine that he was inspired to create the Family Policy Institute after attending the 2006 Values Voters Summit in the U.S. In a more recent example, National Organization for Marriage president Brian Brown enthusiastically wrote about his time in France while a massive anti-LGBTQ march was taking place.

American Religious Right groups are targeting both domestic and international audiences for outreach. In November 2012, the American Independent reported that NOM sought to target the international business of LGBTQ-supportive companies such as Starbucks. New Apostolic Reformation preacher Lou Engle, affiliated with TheCall and the International House of Prayer, promoted an international missionary effort called Mission Ekballo at OneThing 2012. TheCall's rallies across the globe in placed such as Brazil, Switzerland have already allowed Engle and other New Apostolic Reformation speakers to promote their flavor of Christianity to international audiences as well.

Just as Religious Right activists are on the move, so too are Religious Right ideas. Right-wing ideas, sadly, have legs. Consider how the following examples of international Religious Right rhetoric resemble that of American groups.

-- The Australian Family Association, an opponent of LGBTQ rights in Australia, argues that a family of father, mother, and children forms "the primary nucleus on which all other elements in human society rest," its website says, arguing that society "should recognise the different biological and psychological functions of the mother and father." The group claims that anti-discrimination legislation that would make sexual orientation and gender identity "protected attributes" would allegedly "violate the freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief for those who have sincerely and deeply held beliefs or values about sexual identity and expression." Like its American counterparts, the Australian Family Association claims that legalizing same-sex marriage would somehow disadvantage children.

"While two men might each be good fathers, or two women good mothers, neither couples can be both a mother and a father of their child. Children need not only the love of their own biological mum and dad, but to define their identity through that intimate, unique biological relationship. No same sex couple can define a child’s identity. Inevitably, research will be cited claiming that there is no evidence that children of same sex couples are disadvantaged when compared to children in heterosexual marriages."

-- The Australian Christian Lobby seeks "to see Christian principles and ethics accepted and influencing the way we are governed, do business and relate to each other as a community." It opposes abortion and same-sex marriage and claims to defend religious freedom. For example, in a February 2013 press release, the group warned that religious freedom could allegedly suffer after legislation "redefining marriage" passed in the UK's House of Commons.

-- L'Institute Civitas, a right-wing Catholic organization in France, urges supporters to restore une France chrétienne, a "Christian France". In a December 2012 blog post entitled "Cet antichristianisme qui se développe en France" ("This Anti-Christianity that Grows in France"), Civitas president Alain Escada accused opponents of anti-Christian hatred. Escada accused protesters at a Symposium for Life event in Biarritz of espousing "visceral" anti-Christian sentiments, claiming that they desired to undermine morality and the family. "Pour les fondamentalistes de la laïcité, l'ennemi c'est le christianisme." -- "For fundamentalist secularism, the enemy is Christianity", he wrote. In another blog post, Escada belittled same-sex marriage with language similar to that of American anti-gay activists. Escada claimed that if France legalizes same-sex marriage, France's future would be jeopardized and children would suffer. Only a man and a woman can bring about the birth of a child, he argued, urging readers to take up activism against same-sex marriage.

-- South Africa's Family Policy Institute claims that "marriage and the family is the foundation of civilization, the seedbed of virtue, and the wellspring of society", promoting "the Judeo-Christian worldview as the basis for a just, free, and stable society." In a January 15th, 2012 sermon at His People Christian Church in Cape Town, South Africa, Family Policy Institute founder Errol Naidoo insisted that South Africa must have a a Christian foundation. At the 11:30 mark, he had this to say.

"The church teaches mankind the law of God. Its role is to uphold God's word and bring all institutions of earthly government under Christ's sovereign rule ... The church is the pillar of a nation and it's also the ground. It lays the foundation of truth on which these godly institutions can stand, like family and marriage and civil government. You need a strong foundation of God's law for any nation to have a strong and firm foundation. If they don't have a strong and firm foundation of God's truth and God's word, that nation is in trouble. That nation begins to weaken. That nation begins to break down."

These are only a handful of examples of Christian Right voices across the globe. Granted, Religious Right groups are more prominent in some countries and less powerful in others, but all deserve our attention. If we value reproductive rights, LGBTQ equality, and religious diversity, we ignore the international presence of the Religious Right at our peril. Just as the American Religious Right stays abreast of global developments, so too must we stay informed about progressive struggles abroad. Just as the American Religious Right connects with and supports its international counterparts, so too must we support reproductive rights, LGBTQ, and religious freedom efforts abroad. The Religious Right does not limit its scope to the U.S., and neither should we.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Commentary Tidbits

Barb's Gift of Gab: Hate is easy. Love takes courage.

The Way Forward: Evangelicals and Their Bible

Speaking When the World Sleeps: You can’t say no to God: conservative Christianity and consent

Religion Dispatches: Protesting Yoga in Schools, But Welcoming Bible Study

Red Letter Christians: When God No Longer Hates Fags

God Discussion: Americans triple their donations to Ugandan missions with introduction of 'kill the gays' legislation

Dallas Voice: Tim Tebow and Robert Jeffress were made for each other

San Diego Gay and Lesbian News: Disowning of gay children is the abomination

RH Reality Check: Increase in Legal Abortions in South Africa Galvanizes Anti-Choicers

Mother Jones: Insist That People Coexisted With Dinosaurs…and Get an A in Science Class!

Monday, January 14, 2013

The Religious Right Around the Globe: South African Christian School Claims it Can Cure Gays

So-called "conversion therapy" has been making its way around the globe. Now, a South African Christian school is among the latest proponent of this dubious "therapy". Creare Training Center, a faith-based arts school in Bloemfontein, South Africa, is in hot water for claiming that it can help students change from gay to straight.

According to Times Live, the center prospectus claimed that it could allegedly change gay students into heterosexuals. Cornelius can Heyningen, founder of Creare Training Centre, insisted that the school is merely catering to the wishes of its students. "We are catering for those who say 'I want to change as a homosexual'. That's not saying no homosexuals are allowed," he said, according to Times Live.

Supporters of LGBTQ rights are outraged. Dawie Nel, director of OUT, called Creare Training Centre's stance unconstitutional and warmed that such homophobia fuels an atmosphere of discrimination, corrective rape, and other hate crimes.

"Their comments fuel violent discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people, such as the rape of gays and lesbians to 'cure' them; or even murders being committed."

In a January 13th post at O-blog-dee-o-blog-da, Melanie Nathan accused the school of unlawful discrimination.

"Not only is this blatant discrimination under the South African Law but worse is Heyningen’s assertion that Gays can be cured. It is a myth and quackery to assert such claims, whether done in the name of a Bible, God or therapy."

Meanwhile, Creare Training Center has gone into damage control mode. In a "Statement Regarding Media Attention Surrounding Gay Issues", the organization claims that "all people are precious to God" and "no-one has the right to judge another person or to harm another person in any way." However, the statement also defends the "human right" to change one's sexual orientation. (See www[dot]crearedream.com/statement.html)

"Just as the human rights of people allow them to position themselves as homosexual (either through religion or the belief that they were born that way), SO, ALSO, can people exercise their human rights to choose if they want to change their sexual orientation or not ... We, therefore, believe that we must be able to facilitate the human rights of the person who wants to change their sexual orientation, because such a person's rights are often undervalued and overlooked.

The facilitation of such a person's human rights must take place in an environment that supports such a process of change.

The freedom of religion protected by the constitution of this country thus gives us the right to exercise a specific Christian world perspective regarding this point of view, taking into account the respect God gives to every person."

Despite its outward rejection of homophobic discrimination, Creare's 2013 student prospectus states that students who pursue the gay "lifestyle" will be forbidden from studying at the center. (See www[dot]crearedream[dot]com/pdf/2013%20Prospectus%20(1)[dot]pdf)

"According to the Statement of Faith in the Constitution of Creare training Centre, we believe in the principle of relationship fundamental to personal sexual orientation being founded on that of heterosexuality. Therefore any person wanting to pursue a lifestyle contrary and is not willing to be discipled in this regard, will not be permitted to continue further studies or lecture. We offer ministry to help people that want to change their sexual orientation A.E Homosexuality & Lesbianism to heterosexuality."

Perhaps Creare should do some research on so-called conversion therapy. A 2010 statement by the American Psychological Association expresses concern over "ongoing efforts to mischaracterize homosexuality and promote the notion that sexual orientation can be changed and about the resurgence of sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE)." The statement reminded mental health professionals that insufficient evidence exists to demonstrate the efficacy of SOCEs. The APA affirmed its position that homosexuality is not a mental disorder, adding that "same-sex sexual and romantic attractions, feelings, and behaviors are normal and positive variations of human sexuality regardless of sexual orientation identity." Moreover, a 2008 APA publication endorsed entitled Just the Facts About Sexual Orientation and Youth frowns on efforts to change sexual orientation through therapy, warning that such efforts have "serious potential to harm young people". In short, attempts to change people from gay to straight are not only ineffective, but unhealthy. If Creare had the best interests of its students in mind, it would reject so-called conversion therapy outright.

Creare's promotion of dubious, homophobic "therapy" is worrisome, as is the nagging deja vu of their language. Branding homosexuality a "lifestyle", framing conversion therapy as "help", defending conversion therapy as a supposed "human right", and refusing to accept sexual orientation as innate should all sound familiar to observers of the American Religious Right. "Ex-gay" rhetoric, like "ex-gay" therapy, travels around the world quickly.

1/18/13 UPDATE: South Africa's Justice Ministry is urging the Human Rights Commission to investigate claims of discrimination at Crearer Training Center, according to IOL News.

(Hat tip to Gay Star News)

Thursday, December 27, 2012

News Tidbits

Associated Press: Pope Stresses Family Values as Gay Marriage Gains

The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life: Americans Learned Little About the Mormon Faith, But Some Attitudes Have Softened

Gay Star News: Piers Morgan: 'Amend' Bible to allow gay marriage

Mail & Guardian: South Africa: New Johannesburg church has more than a whiff of cult

Saturday, August 25, 2012

The Religious Right Around the Globe: South Africa's Errol Naidoo

A recent article in Pink News focused on a South African Religious Right figure named Errol Naidoo, former pastor of His People Church in Tokai and the head of a right-wing think tank called Family Policy Institute. In an August 22nd essay at the FPI website, Naidoo ranted against abortion, LGBTQs, and "radical feminist activists," whom he blamed for a "culture of death" in South Africa. He hinted that this so-called culture of death was at the root of "callousness" toward human life in the "national psyche" that gave rise to the Marikana tragedy. Naidoo's bombastic column reminds us that American Religious Right voices are not the only ones who blame catastrophes on groups they dislike (see here, here, and here).

I did a little research on Naidoo and FPI, and I found that not only do his positions bear a remarkable resemblance to those of his American counterparts, but that he also networks with global Religious Right leaders.

First, Naidoo uses rhetoric that bears a remarkable resemblance to American Religious Right language. According to its website, FPI "promotes the Judeo-Christian worldview as the basis for a just, free, and stable society." It claims to represent the allegedly shared valies of South African Christians in government and media. Like its Religious Right counterparts in the U.S., FPI sees heterosexual marriage and the family as the "foundation of civilization" and the cornerstone of moral virtue. Its rhetoric about "upholding marriage" between a man and a woman, defending the "sanctity of human life", safeguarding "religious liberty," and battling "judicial activism" sound very similar to the rhetoric of the American Religious Right.

FPI makes no attempt to hide its homophobia. In the "Issues" section of its website, FPI condemns homosexuality as a sin and a "depraved agenda." It quotes Ephesians 6:12 -- “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers ..." -- arguing that homosexuality is a spiritual pathology. Despite FPI's insistence that Christians must "love the homosexual but hate the sin," Pink News quotes Naidoo as telling a Nigeria newspaper, "I hate gays. It runs against God’s wishes." To boot, Naidoo and FPI have a history of anti-LGBTQ activism. Mamba Online reports that in 2010, Naidoo initiated a campaign against Cape Town's support of gay tourism.

Naidoo is also a staunch anti-abortion activist. The FPI website laments the "abortion holocaust," condemning South Africa's Choice of Termination of Pregnancy Act. FPI bluntly denies that women have a choice whether or not to terminate pregnancies.

"Before a life is conceived in a woman’s womb she has a choice – whether to have a baby or not. But once the baby is conceived, she no longer has a choice – she has a baby."

His disdain for women's self-determination was apparent in a Joy Magazine commentary entitled "Shattering the Mould: The Misconceptions of Women's Liberation." Naidoo's column calls the women's movement a "failed social experiment", claiming that it has done nothing to decrease women's sexual exploitation. (One wonders if Naidoo actually bothered to research the many feminist activists and organizations combating prostitution and sex trafficking.) The column conflates 1960s feminism and the sexual revolution, blaming them for everything from family disintegration to unwed mothers on welfare to rising STD rates. Sound familiar?

Like other right-wing voices on the African continent, FPI attributes at least some "immorality" to foreign influences. In a 2011 essay entitled "Stop the Flood of Filth from Foreign Sewers!", Errol Naidoo lambasted "foreign based immorality" such as a Beechies ad campaign, which he condemned as celebrating drinking and casual sex. He also condemned other foreign products such Playboy and GQ magazines.

Naidoo still speaks at his old church, His People Church in Tokai, where he promotes messages about godly government. In a January 15th talk* on governance, Naidoo told listeners that they must respect the government and obey laws that do not conflict with God's laws. For instance, believers must pay taxes and respect traffic laws. However, Naidoo asserted that "when the authorities tell you to sin against God, you can disobey."

Naidoo celebrated the Christian church as the pillar of truth in society, claiming that the church is responsible for bringing governments under Christ's authority. At the 11:30 mark, he claimed that nations lacking a Christian foundation are doomed to weaken.

"The church teaches mankind the law of God. Its role is to uphold God's word and bring all institutions of earthly government under Christ's sovereign rule ... The church is the pillar of a nation and it's also the ground. It lays the foundation of truth on which these godly institutions can stand, like family and marriage and civil government. You need a strong foundation of God's law for any nation to have a strong and firm foundation. If they don't have a strong and firm foundation of God's truth and God's word, that nation is in trouble. That nation begins to weaken. That nation begins to break down."

At the 16:20 mark, he rejected the idea that South Africa is a secular country, insisting that Christians strive toward godly government.

"Any thought, any policy, any idea, any suggestion in this nation that is not in line with God's word and his sovereign will for his nation--any one that speaks that, our responsibility is to pull it down, is to abolish it. Every lie that goes out there, the church of Jesus Christ is responsible because we are the trustees of the truth of God. So when somebody goes out there and says, 'Well, you know, we don't have to have laws that obey God's word. We're not a Christian country. We're a secular country, and we can decide what laws are right for us and what's not right for us. And we can say that when women get pregnant or young girls get pregnant, they can kill the baby whenever they want to. They can just walk into a clinic and the taxpayer must pay for that abortion, that's our law, and that works for us.' You see, That's a lie from the devil, and that lie and that idea is there to destroy humanity ... There's only two kinds of government. It's either of God or it's of the devil."

As I've noted before, Religious Right groups around the globe do network, and Naidoo is no exception. In a 2007 interview with Joy Magazine, Naidoo says that he was inspired to create FPI while attending the 2006 Values Voters Summit. The Values Voters Summit is an annual conference in Washington D.C. hosted by Family Research Council. Naidoo claims that God spoke to him about creating a South African organization that would give the Christian community there a voice in the public square.

Naidoo's global networking did not end with the Values Voters Summit. In a June 7th commentary, Naidoo describes his visit to the Sixth World Congress of Families, a conference that draws prominent Religious Right figures from around the globe (see here and here). Naidoo writes of his conversations with Sharon Slater of Family Watch International and Benjamin Bull of the Alliance Defense Fund. He even states that he spoke with Bull about the possibility of creating a South African chapter of Alliance Defense Fund.

Naidoo's homophobia, anti-abortion stance, and theocratic rhetoric are not only troubling for South Africans, but all too familiar for Americans. Errol Naidoo and the Family Policy Institute promote many of the same messages endorsed by the American Religious Right. And, they network with their American cousins, thereby helping Religious Right ideas circulate to global audiences. Religious Right watchdogs, take note.

For additional commentary, visit the following links.

Sour Grapes: So Who Is Erroll Naidoo?

Synapses: Errol Naidoo: High priest of hysteria

O-blog-dee-o-blog-da: South African pastor blames mine massacre on gays

* To download Naidoo's sermon on governance, click here.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

News Tidbits

NPR: Evangelicals Fight Over Therapy To 'Cure' Gays

Washington Post: Priest in lesbian communion-denial saga out at the Washington archdiocese

Washington Post: Missionary fellowship put big emphasis on the littlest converts

The Local: Pope blocks magazine over 'leaks' stain picture

Gaystar News: South African Christian advert likens being gay to drug abuse and porn

Russia Today: Orthodox activists urge Facebook ban over gay wedding icons

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

News Tidbits

Washington Post: Evangelicals voting in record numbers in GOP primaries

San Fransisco Chronicle: Santorum courts conservative Christians

Boston Globe: High court rejects Christian campus groups' appeal

Los Angeles Times: Tennessee abortion bill would require publishing names of doctors

Dayton Daily News: Abortion foes to say exorcism prayers at clinic

MSNBC: I would have done the same to a drunk, says priest who denied Communion to lesbian

Ms. Magazine: Komen Relationship with Catholic Church Revealed

Cape Times: Death at ‘miracle’ rally

Channel 3000: Attorneys Defend Pastor Accused Of Encouraging Corporal Punishment Against Children
(Hat tip to Butterflies and Wheels)

Monday, October 24, 2011

News Tidbits

NPR: Evangelical Christians Form Parallel Structure

Los Angeles Times: Evangelicals hold sway in Iowa caucuses

Mamba Online: Tutu "Will Burn in Hell"

Lavender: The Secular Side of Marriage Equality

Hollywood Reporter: True Blood EP Alan Ball Developing HBO Medical Drama, Wichita

NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina Foundation: The Truth Revealed: North Carolina's Crisis Pregnancy Centers

Saturday, September 10, 2011

News Tidbits

New York Times: In Race for Weiner’s Seat, $75,000 From Foes of Same-Sex Marriage

San Diego Gay and Lesbian News: Fate of Uganda's "Kill The Gays" bill is unknown

Hartford Courant: A Student's Honesty Cost Her A Place At This Christian School

Houston Chronicle: Business, religion cited in North Carolina gay marriage events

Houston Chronicle: Conservative group head blasts BlueCross diversity

Los Angeles Times: South Africa's Zuma names controversial new chief justice

Oregon Live: Conservative Mars Hill Church will start services in Southeast Portland on Sept. 10

American Independent: Catholic Bishops claim feds’ birth control decision violates First Amendment’s religion clause

Minnesota Independent: Minnesota for Marriage hires NOM’s Christopher Plante

Thursday, August 18, 2011

The Religious Right Around the Globe: Angus Buchan and his Mighty Men

(Click here if you're having trouble viewing the video.)

Republic of Gilead has focused almost entirely on the Religious Right in the United States, since American fundamentalism is what I'm most familiar with. However, right-wing Christianity has a presence across the globe which is every bit as deleterious as it is in the U.S. The role of American fundamentalist preachers in fomenting homophobia in Uganda is well know, and Jeff Sharlet's books (The Family and C Street) have documented the international reach of "the Family." To the north, the Canadian Religious Right is making its presence felt in Canadian society. However, right-wing Christianity is not merely a North American export. Homegrown Religious Right groups are receiving more attention across the globe, and we would do well to educate ourselves about their efforts.

I'd like to start with commentary on Angus Buchan, a Christian evangelist in South Africa whose rhetoric bears remarkable similarities to that of the American Religious Right. Buchan has attracted international attention, with his ministry and Mighty Men Conferences receiving coverage from American Christian media sources such as Charisma and The 700 Club. He has published several books and travels the world with his hearty style of evangelism.

According to the Shalom Farm website, Angus Buchan was a Zambian farmer who moved to Greytown, South Africa and established Shalom Farm with his wife Jill. His autobiography, Faith Like Potatoes, documents Buchan's conversion to Christianity and has been made into a feature film. Buchan's Shalom Farm, in addition to raising livestock and crops, houses the Beth-Hatlaim children's home and hosts Buchan's annual Mighty Men rallies for Christian men. Reminiscent of Promise Keeper rallies in the U.S., the Mighty Men Conferences are male-only gatherings devoted to Christian revival.

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Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Monday, January 14, 2013

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Saturday, August 25, 2012

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