FROM BRUTALLYUNCENSORED.COM
I have complained about the strain of anti science animus that permeates Ghanaian society, perpetuated by, of course, religion.
And here we see it in full flow, being spewed by one of the most respected people in the entire country.
Ghanaians, the ultra religious ones anyway, have never liked gays and never would for a long time to come, so saying Ghanaians should be against gay marriage is nothing new. But when you use the argument that research should not be trusted, simply because you do not like what it says- then you get into the realm of the anti science animus which never leads to any progress- as this country, and several others across the continent, are ample proof of.
Anyway, during his sermon to his church on Valentine’s Day, the head pastor of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), Dr Mensa Otabil, told his congregation that Christians must oppose gay marriage with all their might, even if research shows that gay people are not sub-humans, like Christians would like all of us to believe.
“It [the world] talks in very high, sophisticated language and very polished words and they throw out all kinds of big-sounding words that we haven’t heard before and they say: ‘This research said that, and that research said this and this analysis said that.’ And when they end up with what they say the research said, you’ll say: ‘So, with all the research, this is what you ended up with? That a man can become a woman and a woman can become a man and then they marry? That a man can marry a man and a woman can marry a woman?’”
No Dr Otabil, I don’t think any research ever said a man can marry a man or a woman can marry a woman. It just says gays are humans like ourselves, you know, homo sapiens. Ergo, they are entitled to equal rights, like the right to get married and ask themselves- ‘why the hell did I just tie myself to one person for the rest of my life?’ Gays have the right to be miserable too, you know.
He continued “Let me tell you: No matter what research proves that, common sense – I’m not even talking Bible, leave the Bible out, common sense, the sense that is common – tells you that a man marrying a man doesn’t make sense.”
Exactly which part of common sense is that? The common sense that has made so many people like yourself believe that snakes can talk and people can walk on water? That one? If there’s one thing many humans are not capable of, it’s using that brain embedded in their skulls.
But leaving that part, let’s go to the part about if you don’t like research, ignore it. He said, ‘no matter what research proves that’. So hypothetically, even if research managed to prove that men must marry men, it has to be discounted, for the sole reason that the bible does not support it.
He framed it in the realm of common sense, but of course, he’s saying that due to his religious beliefs.
That’s the problematic mentality we’re consumed with in this country, and many other fundamentalist Christians suffer across the world. See, the way the world works is, you look at the evidence, and follow where it leads. That’s how scientists work, and that is why the world has seen incredible progress in science and technology the past two centuries. We would still be in the dark ages if not for science- you know, the method Pastor Otabil so nonchalantly dismisses.
But religious people, they just take a book and say it is right by definition. How do you know it is right, because the book itself says it is. It is maddening, puerile, circular logic- and based on this bit of insanity, anything that contradicts the book must be wrong.
How do we not see how that is a problem? It is a trick the religious use, to immunise the flock from things like facts and scientific knowledge. It is why people continue to believe the fairy tales in the bible in an age when the species should have matured out of it. The bible is right, and anything that contradicts it must be wrong- the central pitch of Christianity.
If we had decided to stay within that mindset, nothing would have been accomplished. Why search for discoveries when the bible has the answers for everything? Following the evidence wherever it goes, that’s the cornerstone of science, and that is what Mensah Otabil is saying we specifically should not do.
It’s the same thing they do when you’re growing up and you start learning about the world. As a curious person and an avid reader, my parents knew how wide I would read and the sort of things I would encounter. So one day my uncle sat me down and lectured me on the ‘high and mighty’ scientists who think they know everything, and that I shouldn’t believe what they say. It is a survival mechanism, is what it is- to ensure you don’t let things like facts and evidence shake your belief. It is harmful, and it permeates every fibre of Ghanaian society.
Mensa Otabil just proved himself an enabler of that same mindset, the one that continues to hold our country in the grip of ignorance, superstition, desperation and stagnation. We wonder why people like Obinim has so many followers, but we do not realise that the kind of mindset we have breeds unquestioning loyalty, and then it is a short step from believing water can turn into wine to believing pastors can turn into snakes.
We have to be taught to question, investigate and see where our curiosity leads us. And it has to start from childhood. You cannot train people to not believe in science when it is not convenient, irrespective of the evidence. You cannot train an army of sheep who must obey the word of God without question, and then wonder why some would let their pastors talk them into drinking gasoline.
Dr Otabil is one of the better preachers this country has, and he steers clear of a lot of the controversies most pastors revel in these days. But this kind of talk is a weakness, and it betrays the faulty programming religion embeds in all of us.
If these are our ‘respected’ leaders, it is easy to see why we have no future, as I like to drum home all the time.
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Dr Mensah Otabil Demonstrates How Religion Poisons Everything- Calls On His Congregation To Disregard Research On Gays That Contradicts The Bible
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Chris, sometimes I just don’t get you. Stop being wise in your eyes and by all means get off your high horse. You have allowed the devil to use you to spew too much garbage in matters relating to Christianity. Don’t you think it’s about time you told the devil to shut up? Whether you believe in the force of gravity or not, you will still die when you jump off a high building. Whether you believe in the Christian God or not, it doesn’t change the fact that there is a supreme God and judgment day is coming. The stuff you write wont change a true Christian’s perspective about life etc. It only feeds the brains of those who already have a distorted view on Christianity. Will you have several seats???????
Godwin Nii Armah Okine, my comment goes for you too. Birds of a feather….
FACT that there’s a supreme God? How did you establish this? When did the existence of God become a fact? Because you say so? And I don’t think Chris even wrote this article so tell your God to open your eyes to see well lol
Dr. Mensah Otabil says same sex marriage does not make sense—of course it does not make sense to him because of his beliefs.
Same way it does not make sense to people like me why each Sunday hundreds of credulous individuals will queue up to deposit their hard earned cash in a bowl for him so he will continue to serve them with Bronze Age myths and doctrines.
As a human rights advocate, it’s not only insane but also inhumane for another human being and in this case a religious authority to state that due to a person’s sexual orientation, that person should be deny certain human rights.
Absurdly, people like Otabil seem to think marriage is a religious right or institution when in fact it’s a social institution and a legal right.
I guess, it also does not make sense that Black people are treated equal…right?
No one should be denied any right because of his or her sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, age, disability or sex.
Marriage is a human right and every human being has a right to it!
Such religious dogma is cruel to human progress and civilisation. And interesting, it’s widely housed in Africa, the least developed continent in the world—and in the church, a place which ought to showcase love and respect for all.
Chris, It really is not a hidden secret, Christianity is against the concept, idea and life style of gay.
First off why do u equate being gay to being black? unless u believe people are born gay as people are born black and that being gay is not a sexual preference but a genetic trait. Secondly unless i read wrong he (Dr. Otabil) said to oppose gay marriage not that gays are less human, that is your interpretation. Obviously he is speaking based on his belief system same as you so i do not get why you are so incensed. Besides it is no secret that Christianity is against gay marriages so i am surprised you find it surprising that a Pastor says Christians should oppose gay marriage. You are asking us Christians to tolerate your way of thinking in this ‘extremely politically correct and truth is relative’ world but you are not willing to tolerate our views. Even though the root of our belief is against it we must keep quiet and accept what you believe should be okay today just because? Quit hiding being a human rights advocate to justify your own beliefs. Nothing he said translates to gays are sub-human, that is your interpretation and that speaks to your way of thinking. If you want to take a stand for your belief, just do it and stop looking for people to use as a pedestal to be heard. Coloring peoples opinion with your own interpretation is not cool.
Also saying research about gay-ism should be disregarded does not interpret to disregard all scientific research ever. I doubt you believe every research ever publish cos then you should know that research has it that Sodom and Gomorrah really was destroyed by an enormous conflagration. If you are thinking it could have been something other than God then you are disregarding the research based on your belief. Does that make you anti-scientific research.
Lastly even you have to be fair and let people understand that gay people cannot eat their cake and have it. Christianity is not for gay period. If they want to be gay and married, they should not bring it to the church. We are not for it.
Christianity is against lying, cheating, stealing, fornicating, getting tattoos, divorce, adultery, eating pork, wearing a cloth with two fabrics, barbering your hair, etc. People do all these and worse, but when it comes to gays everyone finds their voice. bunch of hypocrites.
Nii pls go to a good church and you will hear preaching against all theses vices. The only reason why gay is at the fore front is because it is being put into every ones face. No one is going round asking people to accept thieves, adulterers, divorcees etc. or pushing their agenda down the throats of everybody. Stop making Christians against gays sound like a new thing we just thought about. You’ve known this since you knew there was a faith such as Christianity. We are being vocal because everybody wants us to just shut up and accept this new thing. We won’t.
I thank the God that I believe in that a lot of people are becoming smarter than u think.Who cares if u don’t believe in God or Christ.There are so many religions in the world,yet u choose to attack Christianity because it looks like the easy target who will forgive and forget easily.Others might trace yr whereabouts and give u instant justice so u don’t dare pick on them.Whether u believe in God or not it won’t stop the sun from shining nor the rain from falling.Upon all the knowledge u claim to have acquired don’t u know when to stop?Besides there are a 1000 and one religious people who have acquired more academic knowledge and have actually impacted lives positively more than you yet don’t portray themselves to be all knowing like u do here.Continue because I know one day u’ll meet yr meeter with these anti-Christian/religious rantings that makes absolutely no sense but only serves as your source of livelihood.Perhaps that’s the motivation.
Chris your Mentor Richard Dawkins (God delusion) had stroke. We need to remember him in prayers.
Lol why don’t you maybe punch yourself in the balls for him rather cos I’m sure that is a more effective way of expressing your concerns for him; it’ll make him a happy guy to see another Christian make a fool of themselves. Laughter after all, they say, is the best medicine.