Stefanus Nashama
A committee consisting of church leaders opposed to homosexuality and same-sex marriage has invited the rest of the country to join the prayers against the agenda of the LGBTQ+ community.
The planned payer event is set for 6 July.
Pendapala Nakathingo, the group chairperson, announced this last week.
The group includes Paulus Nuuyoma, the vice chairperson, Reverend Laban Mwashekele, and many other bishops and pastors from different churches and denominations.
“We plan to have a massive session to pray for Namibia. Our country needs massive prayers because of the evil spirit flying across Namibia and Africa. Our fallen and living heroes did not fight for this country to become a country for homosexuals. We never saw or heard of any gay or lesbian, whatever they call themselves, in the history of Namibia, fighting for this country, never,” he said.
Nakathingo claimed that LGBTQ+ is evil and contrary to African morals, with the ultimate goal of destroying the continent and humanity.
He emphasised that, as believers and Christians, Namibia should not allow its society to perish while God gave people the power to combat and face the evil challenge aimed at destroying the country.
Nakathingo said they are not fighting anyone or individuals, but homosexuality and same-sex marriages.
“The committee aims to accelerate the fight against homosexuality and its evil agenda. We are not promoting any hatred,” he stressed.
He further said they love those who become victims of the LGBTQ agenda.
Nakathingo also urged political leaders not to mislead the LGBTQ+ community or threaten to vote them out of office if they oppose homosexuality and same-sex marriage.
“We are the voters who voted leaders into power to protect us from such evil agendas and lead us in the right direction. The LGBTQ+ is the minority who cannot vote for leaders,” he expressed.
He stated that if Namibia allowed homosexuality and same-sex marriage, there would be no government and leadership.
Namibia’s colonial-era laws criminalising male homosexuality were historically unenforced, and the High Court overturned them this year.
Bishop Lukas Katenda of the Evangelical Angelica Church of Namibia said he did not receive the invitation for the prayer event.
He further stated that the treatment of homosexuality and same-sex marriage is akin to chasing a frog with a stick: “Efuma tali tidhwa noshiti”.
“I can’t comment because mixing things will make us fight a difficult battle. Only if there were clear consultations and discussions could he comment more,” he added.
Katenda stressed culture, civil law, customary law, and divine law, saying all those laws should be properly consulted to be clear on the matter.
“There is a need for serious discussions on the matter. We can’t approach it from the bottom while it is vague. That whole thing is known in the United Nations and the Western countries where it is coming from. It was also brought before our parliament, but no solution has been made so far. I think something is going on. What do gay people want to be given for them to be recognised as human?” he asked.
He added that even if we are to allow homosexuality and same-sex marriage, that is not a solution to the device, as some may think.
Katenda said that people are still divorcing in marriage.
“What do we need to do? The Bible is very clear that we don’t allow same-sex marriage or homosexuality. That is not within the territory of the divine law, which deals with the Bible, Christianity, and God as believers,” he emphasised.
At the same time, Katenda questioned whether the anti-gay committee is a reactive or active force that is well prepared to tackle the issue.
He recommended a mature approach and discussion of the matter at the highest level from which it originates.
The national director of the Scripture Union Namibia, Cornelius Hangula, said he stands by the principles of the Bible, which does not allow an LGBTQ+ agenda.
“I am part and parcel of the massive prayers. I am also in support of the petition,” he said.
Hangula says LGBTQ+ is done by individuals but the problem comes when it is forced on those who are not in support.
“It is not that I am against anyone’s right, but the problem is that we are now being forced into their things which we do not support,” he emphasised.
LGBTQ+ activist Hilary Shiimi did not comment on the matter.
“I have seen your questions but I am waiting for something to respond,” she said.
