Secular Humanism Malawi

LGBT CAMPAIGN SUFFERS SETBACK DUE TO GOVERNMENT’S GROWING UNPOPULARITY

2011-04-24T08:01:00.000+02:00

LGBT CAMPAIGN SUFFERS SETBACK DUE TO GOVERNMENT’S GROWING UNPOPULARITY

By Harold Williams, Vice Chairman, ASH

ASH runs on the fumes from the oxidation of worthless copper coins. That is to say that we have no funds but do what we can with what little we have. We have made an approach to a foreign embassy for funding so that we can run seminars based on the showing of the 60 minute BBC film “The making of me” – documenting gay actor John Barryman’s journey to find out why he is gay. Our approach has yet to be formalised – but we live in hope.

Over the years, both prior to my joining the humanist movement and since, a number of my op-ed articles on the issues have been published in the local press. The arguments that we have to make do not change but neither do the arguments made against decriminalising homosexual acts viz. religion, culture, unnatural act, pro-creation. To break down such prejudicial responses may take almost forever!

I am convinced that most of my fellow Malawians when presented with the facts in an understandable manner and in an environment conducive to reflective thought who may have never knowingly met a gay person would be responsive to a film where such a personable character as John Barryman visually and candidly presents a balanced picture of the situation that LGBT people find themselves in. The film, with about nine identifiable segments, lends itself to natural breaks for discussion on the preceding section. We will target media, legislators, police, clergy and civil society in the hope that we may recruit sympathy to our cause of some of these influential opinion formers.

Malawi relies to a very large extent on aid inflows mainly from Western nations. The main donor nations understand that for a country such as Malawi to develop it is necessary that the basic concepts of good governance and respect for human rights, in accordance with Malawi’s rights-based Constitution, should be strengthened. Concerns from within Malawi on the deteriorating situation have been expressed by civil society organisations, the very strong churches, the Malawi Law Society, media bodies, academia, the Malawi Human Rights Commission (a constitutional independent body) and most callers to current affairs programmes on radio. In the face of government and presidential intransigency, threats of state instigated violence, abuse of police powers, vituperative personal attacks on state controlled radio and TV (there are no private TV stations) and statements made by Government spokespersons, dissatisfaction is growing.

Into this universal mix comes the LGBT issue. Led by the Royal Norwegian Government which has cut back aid, widespread criticism by the donor nations has been made of Malawi’s stance on the continuing criminalisation of homosexual acts including the recent criminalisation (in the name of gender equality!) of the addition of Lesbian sex. As far as ASH is concerned this intercession, whilst well motivated, sets back the fight for ‘gay’ rights in Malawi.

The LGBT issue is only a minor part of the overall governance/rights problem yet it is an issue where the majority of the population sympathises with the Government’s stance. And Government is using this is their main and, perhaps, only effective weapon in their arsenal to obscure the general issue.

A recent news item under the heading “Govt accuses activists of milking donors” reports that three very senior Government officials have publicly accused human rights activists of ‘gold digging’ to obtain funding to promote ‘un-Malawian practices like same-sex relationships.’ Hetherwick Ntaba, the official Government spokesperson, even went as far as to liken ‘ the sourcing of funds from the Norwegian Embassy for gay rights fights to getting money from Al Qaeda terrorist movement.’ The usual ‘stop-debate’ favourites of ‘.. the country’s culture and religious beliefs’ were brought into play. He went on to say that it is wrong to solicit funding from any government for purposes of promoting human rights adding that ‘.. gay rights should not be tolerated.’ NO DEBATE!

And now the Speaker of the National Assembly, Henry Chimunthu Banda, has criticised donor aid conditions to poor countries saying that conditions often negatively affect development. As a general statement it could be the basis for reasonable debate. However, the donors are, in the main, reflecting the sentiments of the Malawi public. He cited the tendency of the donors to single out ‘ .. one isolated incident as the determining factor for the whole aid package.’ Yet it is the Speaker who singled out the example of the reaction of the donor community to Malawi’s homosexuality law. This is dishonest of the Speaker. He is playing to the gallery, fishing for public sympathy, yet the representatives in Malawi of the main donor nations signed a joint communiqué which we posted to an earlier blog clearly spelling out the multiple causes for concern.

The biggest opponents of ‘gay’ rights remain the churches. By putting their reactions on a clearly dogmatic basis rather than on the secular principles of our Constitution, they are unwittingly weakening their general position on the other human rights issues on which they have been very critical of Government and the President.

The Malawi Council of Churches has just taken out a full page advertisement in the local press headed “Stand on Homosexuality” in which all of the usual Christian arguments are stated. The statement is far too long for us to reproduce here. Nevertheless, we note a recent argument that African government’s and churches are now using to bolster their stand viz. that the United Nations Declaration on sexual orientation and gender identity was rejected because only a few countries supported it. This is an invalid proof from numbers. What the churches fail to reveal is the identity of the opposing nations – nations which in the main have histories of repression of human rights and with whom we would generally not wish to be identified.

We at ASH will continue in our efforts to bring sanity to the debate. We are not concerned at Government’s attempts to vilify those who uphold ‘gay’ or any other rights. Should we fail to obtain funding from donor agencies in Malawi, we hope that our colleagues in the Humanist movement will be able to assist us in identifying a source of funds for a campaign that does not meet with much public sympathy in Malawi. We will keep you informed.

ASH’S EFFORTS BEAR FRUIT – ANOTHER WICHCRAFT CASE DISMISSED BY COURT

2011-04-18T07:00:00.002+02:00

THE CASE OF THE MZEMBE'S

It may seem strange that an organisation such as ASH which does not accept the reality of witchcraft should have proposed to the special law commission on the reform of the law relating to witchcraft that the existing law inherited from the British administration should remain in force without major changes. Recent events have justified this approach.

The law is quite clear – it is unlawful to accuse anyone of being a witch. There are punishments laid down in the law for transgressors. It is unlawful for any person to make any claim to being a witch or having the powers of a witch. Consequently, there is no remedy in law for people who believe that they have been bewitched. Unfortunately, many police officers and many magistrates who are themselves firm believers in witchcraft have misrepresented or misapplied the law with those accused being charged with ‘Pretending to be a witch’ and the accusers going free. This is generally based on accusations made especially by children whose heads have been filled with nonsense by their elders that the ‘witch’ has been taking them on magic ‘planes or has been taking them at night to graveyards to feast on human flesh.

Such was the case with the Mzembe’s which, late in 2010, came to the attention of ASH. ASH’s Executive Secretary, George Thindwa, who gave the following initial report:

The Mzembes were living in Area 18 township.They were labeled as witches and afraid of mob justice, they left Area 18 and reallocated to Chinsapo township in Likuni, some 20kilometers away.

Their accusers did not leave them alone and in peace but followed them to Chinsapo. One of them disguised herself as a visitor from Blantyre and had access to their house sometime in August 2010 where she accused the children as satanists and of witchcraft.

She left and the following morning they received a phone call from a lady from Area 18 accusing them of being witches and being responsible for causing misery through witchcraft including death to the family of a person who was their former neighbors at Area 18 location.

When the Mzembes took up this issue with the Police at Area 18, they ended up being charged themselves with witchcraft- in short pretending witchcraft. And the case is in court against them. Children of the neighbor are testifying that the Mzembes come at night from Chinsapo to Area 18 through magic; taught them witchcraf and flew to graveyards where they ate human flesh.

The outcome of the case was another victory for ASH where the magistrate has been able to apply the law correctly as Thindwa reports:

The Ruling for the Mzembes case on pretending witchcraft came to court today on 14 April at 11.30 am. ASH’s George Thindwa was in attendance.

Magistrate Gomani read his ruling this way:
1- He stated that the Court heard the evidence from the children that the Mzembes were practicing witchcraft. That they fly to America in lichelo (winnowing basket) where they drink human blood.
2- but the case before this court was on pretending witchcraft which in short, the state witnesses should have shown that the accused by their statements or actions pretended themselves as witches or having powers of witchcraft to the state witnesses or police.
3- the state witnesses did not show any evidence of admission on part of the accused that they pretended witchcraft.
4- there was further no evidence paraded in the court for any statements or actions that the accused pretended witchcraft to the witnesses or the police.
5- the Magistrate said that since there was no evidence shown by the state regarding pretending witchcraft, he concluded that the prosecution failed to demonstrate to the court where it could find the accused with a case to answer and ask them to defend themselves. He therefore found the accused, Mr Mzembe and his wife with NO CASE TO ANSWER! They were acquitted accordingly. The wife and husband were quite happy with madame shedding a tear. Those wishing to appeal his decision were asked to do so within 30 days!

This is very good outcome and we at the Association have received it with great pleasure. Those accused of witchcraft and charged of pretending witchcraft are getting justice in our Courts particularly with regard to the Lilongwe Magistrate court which is a shining model on how best to handle witchcraft cases. You may recall that 5 people were also acquitted by the same Lilongwe Magistrate court last week on 25th March!

When asked whether the Police in Lilongwe now understood the law correctly, Thindwa replied that it was not yet the case but many of the Police prosecutors are not happy with their seniors for sending them such cases.

Science & Critical Thinking Published in Sunday Times 17th April 2011

2011-04-18T06:25:00.000+02:00

Understanding the Rationalizations of the ‘Believers’

Adapted from http://godisimaginary.com

Quotation: Properly read, the Bible is the most potent force for atheism ever conceived.
Isaac Asimov

There are passages in the Bible indicating that God condoned slavery. To critical thinkers this presents a quandary. If the words of God are immutable why do Christians and Jews no longer follow all? Many argue that God had to "fit in" with the dominant culture. No! In Christian mythology, God is the one who created humans and human culture. We should all agree that a God that condones the beating of slaves and the enslavement of children is an abomination.

Believer say, "Those verses are from the Old Testament and no longer apply because of Jesus." But that is not so. Jesus states that the laws of the Old Testament still stand. Matthew 5:18:

For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished.

According to Jesus, the Old Testament is alive and well. According to Isaiah 40:8, "the word of our God stands forever." The notion that these Old Testament verses no longer apply is completely untrue according to the Bible. Christians imagine that they "no longer apply" as a way of rationalizing their religion.

Others rationalize that God did not write these slavery passages in the Bible. The Bible was corrupted by slave-loving men. Then the obvious question to ask is: If the Bible has been corrupted, how can we know which parts of the Bible came from God and which parts were inserted by men? You have no way to know.

Thinking about the Bible in this way you will understand something very important about the Bible. Either the entire Bible really is God's Word, or the entire Bible was written by men with no input from God:

If part of the Bible came from God and part from men, which part is which? You do not know if Jesus resurrected, or if that's just a make-believe story inserted by men. How do you know whether God wrote the Ten Commandments or not? If any part of the Bible has been polluted by men, you have to reject the whole thing.

There is no middle ground. The Bible has to be an all-or-nothing book. Either the entire Bible came from God, or none of it did.

You must now see that there are only two possible explanations for slavery passages in the Bible:

The Bible is right. God condones slavery. The Bible is God's word. Slavery passages must be God's word too. The laws of the modern nations that make slavery illegal defy God's word.
The Bible condones slavery because the Bible was written by slave-owning men, not by God. God is imaginary.

Maybe you have a problem with the first explanation. Surely God would not champion the abomination that is slavery!

Therefore, what you are left with is the second explanation.

THREE DEATHS LINKED TO WITCHCRAFT

2011-04-11T04:28:00.000+02:00

The Malawi News of April 9, 2011 reports that three deaths in Blantyre’s Bangwe Township resulted from witchcraft.

First to die was Veronica, the Chiwala’s seven year old child. Agness, the child’s mother, a member of the Chiwala family accused her neighbours, the Duncan family, of having bewitched the child. In the ensuing fracas three members of the Duncan family attacked Agness using large pestles (pounding sticks) and hoe handles as clubs. She was taken to hospital where she was found dead on arrival.

The Police arrested two of the assailants on a charge of murder but the third escaped. He was later found dead having killed himself by taking poison.

Science & Critical Thnking - Sunday Times column April 10, 2011

2011-04-11T03:56:00.000+02:00

EVOLUTION IS A FACT! CREATION IS UNSUPPORTED OPINION

Quote: Religion will not regain its old power until it can face change in the same spirit as does science. ~ Alfred North Whitehead

Great men think outside the box and one such man is Charles Darwin, the proponent of Evolution. The pious have hated evolution. However, evolution is accepted as a fact by informed persons including some theologians. Darwin was a Christian with an inquisitive mind. He observed the world and was convinced that there are better explanations for the origin of life than creation. He said: “Nature is a ruthless system of hunting, killing, devouring, fleeing, starving, misery and too much suffering. I cannot persuade myself that such occurrences come from a loving creator and omnipotent deity”

Darwin was trained in medicine and theology intending to become a cleric. As he grew older, he abandoned Christian views and became an agnostic. While at Cambridge, he accepted a job as a naturalist. This happenstance changed history forever. For five years, he roved the seas, observed animals, plants and fossils, the differences in species isolated from each other on remote islands.

With this experience at sea, he hit upon the idea of natural selection; the endless struggle for survival; leading to the theory of the evolution of species. Like the work of Copernicus that revealed that the earth revolves, Darwin's idea shook the foundations of religion and altered humanity's view of its place in the universe. To this day, the storm he created has not abated. Evolution is opposed to the biblical account of creation where species were created by a deity.

Evolution is the unifying force in modern biology. It states that all living things are inter-related; that higher organisms including man have evolved from simpler life forms. Support for evolution comes from different areas.

1. Fossils of animals, plants belonging to different periods of time. Fossils show that species converge toward ever simpler forms and common ancestors.

2. The protein structure of man and rhesus monkey are similar.

3. The human embryo possesses gill-like organs, eyes on the sides of the head and vertebral column showing the extension the tail of amphibians- all indicating fishes and amphibians as our ancestors.

4. Existence of vestigial organs; that are of no major current use to an organism but are a remnants of an earlier form from which the organism evolved, i.e. small vestigial hind legs in Boa snakes; useless tails in crabs.

The time scale of evolution is enormous. In slowly evolving organisms the changes took vast amount of time to occur. In the case of the reproductive cell in humans or in some bacteria, the period is short.

Evolution does not talk about the origin of life. But how did life begin? That body of discovery is left to the discipline of study called abiogenesis. Scientists have done some experiments in that area with remarkable findings. Evolution is evidence-based, shows what actually occurred and is therefore a fact. Creation remains an opinion without evidence or established by observation. Anybody who denies evolution is a history denier says R. Dawkins. Celebrate Darwin on 12 February!

Feedback: thinksecular@gmail.com

A GOOD WEEK FOR ASH IN THE LOCAL PRESS

2011-04-04T16:44:00.000+02:00

WITCHCRAFT APPEAL FOR COMPENSATION/CHALLENGE TO WITCHDOCTORS

Publicity seeker George Thindwa does it again by making sure that the press are fully informed of ASH's developments and activities. The Malawi News of 2nd April reported that ASH was assisting the 'witch' recently freed on appeal to sue the government for wrongful arrest and imprisonment. They also reported that ASH would be seeking to obtain compensation for all such cases.
Additionally, the newspaper reported that ASH's open challenge to witchdoctors (asing'anga) to demonstrate their powers on him is yet to produce a challenger even thouigh the cash prize has been raised to K 500, 000 ($3,500) - a large sum in Malawi where the annual GDP per person is less than US150!

BIBLE DISCREPANCIES AND THE QUESTION OF FAITH

On 3rd April 2011, the Sunday Times in its regular and light-hearted 'Paparazzi' column highlighted the discrepancies in both the Old and New Testaments. Tongue-in-cheek, the columnist proclaimed himself to be a believer whilst highlighting the problems gaced by believers.
This is the first ocasion on which we have noted any public challenge to biblical authority in the local press. We surmise that the close relationship with the reporting and editorial staff of this newspaper group is helping to widen the debate.

ASH's HAROLD WILLIAMS CHALLENGES FACEBOOK 'FRIENDS'

As an indication of what ASH in Malawi has to contend with here are samples of the material being posted on Facebook by some of Harold's new-found friends:

Benson Nkhoma Somba Your unbelief exposes your emerse lack of knowledge on christian faith. its easy to mock God when u still have life. by the way who provides the air u breath? that little unbelieving heart of yours who sustains it? know that there is no repetance after death! 'The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness: but is longsufferng to us-ward, not willing that all should perish, but that all should come to repentance' 2 Peter 3:9Saturday at 18:33 ·

Felix Millowa Drama Conservatory A person needs divine revelation to know God. But one must be extra careful: Lucifer does provide revelation too, a contrast and adversary of God's commandment of love. It is a revelation based on greed and personal aggrandizement. With Lucifer's revelation, anything about God is inconclusive and arguable.

Enough said!

Science & Critical Thinking Published in Sunday Times 3rd April 2011

2011-04-04T16:17:00.000+02:00

THE PROBLEM OF EVIL

By George Thindwa

Quote: Barring that natural expression of villainy which we all have, the man looked honest enough. Mark Twain

For believers, the existence of evil/sufferings poses a big problem. It is inconsistent with their loving, omnipotent, and omniscient God. He cannot be loving in presence of evil. Since, he cannot eliminate evil, he cannot be all-powerful.

Believers trace evil to the misuse of free will; that God gave man the power of free will and men have misused it. (Christian) Believers also assert that evil is because Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. These claims create difficulties because dubious concepts such as free will, Garden of Eden, do not adequately explain the existence of evil vis-a-vis an essentially good and omnipotent creator.

Being omnipotent, he could have prevented the snake from cheating the innocent Adam and Eve. And being perfect forecaster, he could have chosen to create a world without evil. A perfect deity would surely be content with a world free of suffering and could have created a world where free will would not be misused. Free will does not also account for the suffering occasioned by natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, famine and floods where there is tremendous suffering and destruction of living things.

Evil is also traced to the influence of devils, evil spirits and Satan. Tracing evil to these entities is not compatible with the alleged perfection of the deity. Furthermore, the existence of these entities has not yet been convincingly demonstrated. They are assumed to be non physical; their mode of acting in affairs and human minds is vague. These are merely figments of people’s imagination.

The problem of evil is insoluble to believers. In contrast, for Science the problem of evil does not arise. Suffering does not create a theological dilemma. Evil is part of our existence and natural phenomenon; a result of human wrong-doing and processes within nature. It must be studied and understood by scientist to eliminate or reduce it. Scientists have the skills and abilities to do this. Science is called to discover the causes of diseases; geologists to study floods and earthquakes and their consequences and warn us against them while social sciences study and advise on the causes of poverty and its reduction and crimes. We are waiting for discoveries on the Aids cure. Much of science is concerned with coping with the causes of suffering.

Scientific concerns are not like those involved in the theological problem of evil. Science does not fix responsibility for suffering in terms of mysterious purposes nor attributes suffering to some transcendent cosmic person.

But some scientists are also supernaturalists, for whom suffering is both a natural and theological problem. The fact is, they cannot consistently adopt both viewpoints as scientists because scientists cannot assume the reality of causes that are inaccessible to scientific methods. A scientist who tries to accept both perspective must shift from one to the other; being scientific one moment and metaphysical the next or vice versa. It is logically impossible to accept both perspectives simultaneously.

Feedback: georgethindwa@yahoo.com

TWO THINGS TO KILL FOR – RELIGION AND PATRIOTISM

2011-04-04T12:54:00.000+02:00

TWO THINGS TO KILL FOR – RELIGION AND PATRIOTISM

AND TO KILL DEBATE – ‘OUR’ CULTURE

DE-LINKING THE ‘GAY’ ISSUE

On Sunday, 3^rd April, Capital Radio chose as its topic for the lunchtime debate and phone-in programme:

Same-sex marriage versus foreign aid; the attitude of the NGO’s.

They did a disservice to what should have been the main issue of contention:

Is the criminalisation of homosexual activity between consenting adults contrary to the Malawi Constitution?

By introducing the threat of suspension of foreign aid by the donors because of the Malawi Government’s poor governance record, Capital Radio provided an environment in which the Government could place emphasis on the issue of ‘gays’, patriotism and hurt national pride where they know that popular feeling is on their side rather than on the overall governance/human rights situation.

To keep people firmly on issue the alternative subject for debate could have been:

Should the donors withhold aid because of the Government’s alleged poor record on governance and human rights?

No mention of the ‘gay’ issue which is, perhaps, in the overall context, the least in importance as far as the good governance of Malawi is concerned. It is an area that has yet to be tested in the Constitutional Court.

RELIGION AND CONFLICT

"With or without religion, you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion." -
-- Steven Weinberg

Those people in Afghanistan who beheaded United Nations personnel because some crackpot religionist in America burned a copy of the Quran; those Protestants who blew up a Catholic police officer in Northern Ireland because of his Catholic faith; those Sunni Muslims in Pakistan who blew up Sufi Muslims because they are ‘heretics’ – and all within the last week - were probably considered by their families and many in their communities to be ‘good people’.

Religion is divisive. It dehumanizes the ‘enemy’. The victims are seen as less than human; not the same as ‘us’. To kill is to do god’s work.

Theological religion is the source of all imaginable follies and disturbances; it is the parent of fanaticism and civil discord; it is the enemy of mankind."
- Voltaire / 1694-1778 / Philosophical Dictionary, 1764

All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian, or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit.
-Thomas Paine

The Malawi Constitution is based on a universal code of human rights. The few countries that do not adhere are those theocracies such as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan and other countries with repressive laws or a reputation for mistreatment of their citizens. Many political and religious leaders defend the Malawi stance by stating the number of countries that are yet to decriminalize homosexuality. If they were to list them it would be seen that they are not the countries that Malawi should be proud to be associated with!

The Constitution of Malawi is quite clear: there is freedom of religion. Religion is a personal choice. Moral codes, as interpreted by believers, vary with religion or branch of the religion and even within the branch from one individual to another. While there are accepted codes of conduct within all societies, many defined by law, there is not one moral code that can be agreed by all. Whilst democratic governments are generally appointed by majority vote that is not constitute a dictatorship of the majority. To contend that the moral code of the faith held by the majority must be applied to all is to cause disharmony and invite conflict. Arguments against the decriminalization of homosexuality based on any religious concept of morality are, therefore, not valid.

PATRIOTISM

Patriotism is the willingness to kill and be killed for trivial reasons.

~Bertrand Russell

We do not consider patriotism desirable if it contradicts civilized behavior.

-Friedrich Dürrenmatt

It is indeed galling, if not demeaning, for it to be pointed out that your nation cannot go it on its own. The sentiment is that we should wean ourselves off foreign aid. When and how that could be done is another matter. It cannot be done without pain. But for the sake of national pride, the sentiment appears to be that we should tell the donors to keep their money.

But this sentiment appears to be selective and is raised only in connection with sensitive or emotive issues such as what to do about homosexuals. The same sentiments are not expressed when other issues relating to NGOs and support for governance and the rule of law are concerned. These are seen as affecting the total populace. As for the ‘gays’ – well they are a repulsive minority, morally outrageous, an abomination in our midst and they do not have a right to be as they are – or so goes the popular dialogue.

It is a pity that the donors have been a little over-enthusiastic in pushing the pro-gay agenda. I say this, not because I am not pro-gay but because the issue has merit which those of us who support the decriminalisation of homosexuality should be able to argue. When donor sentiment raises national flag-waving and talks of sovereignty it becomes counter-productive and the real arguments will not be countenanced by a hostile public.

CULTURE

When one looks back over human existence, however, it is very evident that all culture has developed through an initial resistance against adaptation to the reality in which man finds himself

Beatrice Hinkle

In any culture, subculture, or family in which belief is valued above thought, and self-surrender is valued above self-expression, and conformity is valued above integrity, those who preserve their self-esteem are likely to be heroic exceptions

Culture is dynamic. To quote culture as an argument against change is to deny its very nature. There is no agreed single Malawi culture. There are many common threads. Many of these are not exclusively Malawian. The culture of Malawi changes with the generations. Foreign religions have almost completely displaced the traditional yet traces of these are still to be noted amongst adherents of the ‘new’ religions. For many, Christianity or Islam is accepted as part of their culture. In fact, it is recorded that within thirty years of the introduction of Islam amongst the Yao all knowledge of traditional religions had been lost completely. Other aspects of foreign culture have been painlessly adopted and the changes have gone unnoticed. There are moves afoot to put an end to cultural practices that would tend to spread HIV/AIDS such as kuchotsa fumbi.

Furthermore, the Constitution guarantees that everyone can follow the culture of their choice. Unfortunately, the cry of ‘culture’ is used to put an end to argument. Yet this is no reason not to enquire into the validity of an argument.

THE ‘GAY’ ISSUE

The Bible contains six admonishments to homosexuals and 362 admonishments to heterosexuals. That doesn't mean that God doesn't love heterosexuals. It's just that they need more supervision.

Lynn Lavner

Now that we have removed religion, culture and the donors from the debate, let us look at the real issues. We must explore the facts and probabilities. But, first, let us get rid of the myths:

· Homosexuality is not a culture. Homosexuals are found in all cultures and in all race groups.

· Homosexuality is not a lifestyle choice. It is a natural state.

· Homosexuality is not the same as paedophilia.

· Homosexuals do not recruit heterosexuals.

· Homosexuality is not a western import.

· The decriminalization of homosexuality will not result in the sudden conversion of heterosexuals to homosexuality although many, now living the lie of a heterosexual lifestyle will now be more inclined to honestly display their sexual orientation.

So what are we frightened of?
It is an indisputable fact that some people are born with the body of one sex and the feelings of the opposite. We have all observed that men and women think differently, have slightly different talents or aptitudes etc. Tests have been devised to ascertain the sexual orientation. Time and again ‘gay’ people have been demonstrated to have characteristics that are the opposite of their physical sexual attributes. MRI scans of brain activity clearly show that ‘gay’ peoples’ brains react to same-sex pornographic pictures but not to opposite sex. Many gay people have been aware since childhood of their differences and many parents have noticed the differences in their children from as early as 2 years of age. Current research indicates that hormonal influences on the foetus in the womb cause such gender imbalances.
Homosexuality is not the norm. It is estimated that between 2% and 5% of the population is homosexual. That is true of all race groups and all nationalities.
What danger do homosexuals pose to our society?
With say a 2% gay population there is no danger that Malawi with one of the highest birth rates in the world – now at 6 children per woman – will run out of replacement human stock. In fact, the population is growing at more than 2% per year and the strains of overpopulation are clearly to be seen.
Homosexuals are not going to sexually assault our children – or, at least, no more so than we note among the heterosexual male population where sexual abuse of minors is becoming increasingly common!
Now – what about the sexual act between homosexuals? A homosexual is no more capable of denying his or her sexuality than is the heterosexual. To DEMAND that the heterosexual Malawian should not assuage the sexual urge would be demanding far too much. To demand the same of the homosexual is also too much to expect. For them homosexual it is natural to have pleasure with persons of the same sex. We know that the human body was not designed for such acts. We know that it will not result in children being born. But when a man and a woman engage in sexual activity they do so for their pleasure and having children is generally only an accident of the encounter. In fact, with modern contraception, the otherwise natural outcome is prevented.
Does homosexual sex harm you or society in general? I think not. Is what adults do in private any business of anyone else? The answer is NO. And it is no business of the State or the law-givers or law-keepers in a rights based dispensation.
Disgusting! Did I hear you say ‘disgusting’? Perhaps you find it so. But what do men and women get up to in the privacy of the bedroom or in the ‘Rest Houses’ that cater to the sex traveller? I am sure that many of them get up to all sorts of ‘disgusting’ things. But you do not ask your neighbours what they do for their pleasure. Just look at the condom adverts:

http://www.quikcondoms.com/lifestyles-kiss-of-mint-buy-condoms-online-pr-112.html

Comment from users:

Shannon O. - Jacksonville, Florida reviews the Lifestyles Kiss of Mint.

The mint aroma is heavenly and oral sex is greatly enhanced by the mint flavor. We both loved using them.

Now, why would you want flavoured condoms if you wanted only regular sex? Disgusting! Maybe. But it does no-one any harm and is no-one else’s business – let alone the State’s
What are we going to do with them?
So, homosexuals are here in Malawi and they will continue to be born. They have no choice as to how they develop. They just ARE. They are our brothers and sisters, children, uncles, aunts, cousins, neighbours, employers, employees, teachers, doctors, academics, priests and just plain Joes. At the moment they live in fear of discovery. They live a life of lies.
Must we continue to hunt them down and lock them up for fourteen years? It will not change their nature. It will not change their sexual desires. And it will cost the state money to keep them. There is no profit to anyone.
In other countries where the old ignorance gave way to an understanding and a change in the laws allowed homosexuals to ‘come out’ and live life honestly as they were created there has been no damage to society, no-one has been harmed. In fact, we will be denying our nation the services of useful citizens.
It has been noted that many homosexuals are exceptionally talented – perhaps more in proportion to their numbers than are found with such talent in the rest of the population. They are artists, actors, entertainers, musicians, fashion designers, beauticians, hairdressers, dancers. They have been famous politicians and gifted scientists. The world would be a poorer place had it been denied their talents.
As one observer said:

Homosexuality is god's way of insuring that the truly gifted aren't burdened with children.

Let us accept that they are all welcomed as fellow-citizens. Let us not be swayed by religious leaders or populist politicians. Let us not be distracted by the NGO issue. Or the donor aid issue.

Let us be understanding and tolerant. Let us continue to push for the removal of unjust laws from our statutes.

WITCHCRAFT ACT NOW TRANSLATED INTO CHICHEWA

2011-04-02T04:59:00.001+02:00

CONTENTS OF ASH'S 3-FOLD FLYER TRANSLATED INTO CHICHEWA.

ASH is verfy grateful to Winfred Mkochi, Malawian Linguistics academic currently resident in Trondheim, Norway, for voluntarily translating our 3-fold flyer into Malawi's main language, Chichewa..

This will simplifye the task of explaining the provisions of the Act to traditional leaders and other non-English speakers when we embark on our new campaign.

GEORGE THINDWA & GIFT TRAPENCE INVITED TO BRITISH ROYAL WEDDING

2011-04-02T04:52:00.000+02:00

AN APRIL FOOL JOKE - AN INDICATION OF ASH'S GROWING PUBLIC PROFILE

Friday Masese Gossip

George Thindwa, as ASH's Executive Secretary, needs no introduction to readers of this blog. Gift Trapence heads CEDEP, a local NGO dealing with 'minority' (for which read 'LGBT') rights.

We are happy that their selection reflects the higher nationalk profile that our respective organisations now have.

SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE - LESSONS FROM UGANDA

2011-03-31T11:42:00.001+02:00

Recently, HALEA, our sister organisation in Uganda held an open forum debate on this important issue. Here in Malawi religious leaders occupy a central position when it comes to political dialogue and have generally been seen as a force for the good as far as the condition of the populace and their rights are concerned. However, we contend that their continuing position of influence is an adverse reflection on the weak condition of secular civil society organisations.

Their continuing hold on the minds of the people deter some debates on issues of human rights such as the debate on homosexuality and abortion. Two words are used in Malawi to prevent all sensible debate - "The Bible/God/Religion" and "Our Culture". However, these two contentions need to be properly debated and removed from consideration since there is freedom of religion and freedom of culture. Not one religion's set of morals or one aspect of culture should claim to dominate.

Let us hope that we can organise a similar series of public debates.

And here are two sad stories on Ugandans who suffered for being gay:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/27/uganda-gay-lesbian-immigration-asylum?INTCMP=SRCHhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/27/uganda-gay-lesbian-immigration-asylum?INTCMP=SRCH

TAKING HUMANISM TO THE PUBLIC: THE CASE OF UGANDA
(A Brief Report)
Kato Mukasa, Project Coordinator, OPEN TALK DEBATES.
On Friday 25th March, right in the heart of Kampala City, the Humanist Association for Leadership Equity
and Accountability (HALEA) organized a public debate on the controversial theme: Separation of
Religion and State. Drawn from different walks of life, the 217 participants included university students,
teenagers from primary and secondary schools, politicians, academicians, members from the civil
society, representatives from cultural institutions, religious leaders and Pan Africanists.
The Panel had Dr.Samuel Walter Lubega, a former presidential Candidate in the February 2011 elections,
Hon Charles Rwomushana, a political analyst and free thinker, Pastor Solomon Male, the Director of
Arise for Christ Church, a gentleman well know for openly attacking fellow pastors for cheating their
sheep. It had Reverend Canon Aaron Mwesigye, a scholar and theologian, Madam Ann Mugisha, the
Secretary for International Affairs from Uganda’s leading opposition party, the Forum for Democratic
Change. There was Mr. Robert Kanusu, the Press Secretary of Uganda Peoples’ Congress (UPC), Mr. Erick
Sakwa, the head of the Youth Desk at the UPC, Lawyer Muwada Nkunyinji, representing the Uganda
Muslim Lawyers Association,Mr. John Ngabirano of the Pan African Movement and Mr. Asimwe Steven
from the ruling party, National Resistance Movement’s Communication Bureau.
The Open Talk Debates – a name given to brand the debates organized by HALEA for teenagers and the
general public – are meant to be open to all, free from biases including the exploitative religious and
cultural practices and the debates are interactive. The panelists presented their views and the audience
had their take. The Key issues noted were:
1. Religion and the State are bed fellows and aid one another in the oppression and exploitation of
the masses. They all use the so called ‘divine authority’ to justify their economical, cultural and
political oppression.
2. All participants acknowledged the need to have religious leaders out of partisan politics and
most of the panelists illustrated how religious leaders were involved in the February 2011
elections- and most of them having been candidates – they explained how unfair it was to have
religious leaders taking sides in a political context.
3. Participants explained why it is a toll order to separate religious leaders from politics because
they are part of the body politic. Some noted that the intervention of religious leaders is
necessary from a human rights view point.
4. Many educated Ugandans are increasingly becoming skeptical as many panelists openly declared
their being non religious, some questioned where religious leaders get the moral authority to
‘manage their affairs’ and some warned that religious leaders are likely to remain with the
ignorant, the poor and illiterates.
Open Talk Debates are new in Uganda and have been welcomed by the participants who hitherto never
knew that there can be a forum on which controversial and highly sensitive issues that question
retrogressive religious and cultural practices can be discussed and the concerned parties are called upon
to account for their actions. As a moderator, I found my job very demanding as I in most cases had to
calm down the panelists especially from the religious circles who now and again felt offended by the
other aggressive and open minded panelists. Thanks to HAMU and IHEU, the debates are happening and
many people are getting aware of organized humanism and yes, many people are gradually coming on
board. HALEA is increasingly letting people know that humanism is the idealism that seeks to unify all
human beings under the banner of their common humanity. Indeed, humanism can offer a rational,
logical and better way to living a complete life. The entire debate was filmed and will soon be available
on DVDs but without a website, HALEA can not have our dear readers view it. Efforts are being made to
enable the public here in Uganda view the entire debate. We also call upon all well wishers out there to
enable us design or get a website on which such videos and future activities can be freely viewed. On
behalf of HALEA, I also take this opportunity to thank Jean and Barrie Berkeley for attending the debate. I
thank you all and as we always say at HALEA: One Generation plants a tree, another Generation gets the
shade. Our struggle continues.

WITCHCRAFT CAMPAIGNER WINS AGAIN !

2011-03-28T16:48:00.000+02:00

FIVE 'WITCHES' - NO CASE TO ANSWER

When ASH’s George Thindwa gets his teeth into something he’s like a terrier with a rat. He’ll hang on to the end. His favourite quarry? Those who accuse others of witchcraft. Such cases, as we have documented before in this blog, are generally mishandled by Police and magistrates resulting in the unjust conviction of the unfortunate ‘witches’ and long spells of imprisonment.

Another strange case came up in February on George’s home turf – Lilongwe. Mercy Chikwatula (age 8) and Grace Witness accused Jimu Ali (58) and wife Grace Macheso (47), Ms. Ida Samuel (20), Lucy Kudzawe (40) and Ellen Kasabola (36) of practicing witchcraft. In particular they alleged that they were taking the child on a magic ‘plane to Blantyre some 330 kilometers away and causing the illness of her mother and Grace and by witchcraft. Normally the ‘plane is considered to be a lichero or winnowing basket seen here in one of its correct uses holding a selection of boa or edible fungi

The case was taken to the Police who charged the five with practicing witchcraft which all denied.

When the case went to court the Police changed the charge to one of pretending to be a witch.

Seeing the weakness in the Police case George drew up a list of questions for the accused to put to the witnesses, including the Police officer. These questions and the unsatisfactory answers convinced the magistrate and, on March 25, she ruled that the accused had no case to answer. They were consequently acquitted.

However, the affair did not finish there. The accusers were unhappy with the magistrate’s decision and they and their supporters harassed the newly-freed ‘witches’ after they left the court, accusing them anew of witchcraft. This is an offence under the current law. In fact, it is they who the Police should have charged when the matter first came to their attention. The Police arrested eight people and charged them with the correct offence of accusing people of being a witch.

It appears that the Police at that particular location have been given a lesson in the law by our ‘terrier’, George, and are now intent on applying it.

Another great victory for Humanism in Malawi.

In the recent case, reported here, of Bertha Yohane who was freed by the High Court on appeal after two years in prison, ASH has instructed lawyers to claim compensation for wrongful imprisonment. It is ASH’s intention to help all those unjustly imprisoned for witchcraft to make similar claims.

SCIENCE & CRITICAL THINKING MARCH 27 2011

2011-03-28T03:48:00.001+02:00

HOW TO BE A CRITICAL THINKER

By George Thindwa,

Regular Science & Critical Thinking column published in the Sunday Times (Malawi) of March 27, 2011

Quote: Customs do not concern themselves with right or wrong or reason. But they have to be obeyed; one reasons all around them until he is tired, but he must not transgress them, it is sternly forbidden. Mark Twain

Critical thinking is the most valuable and underused resource. Malawians need to be critical thinkers to avoid being deceived, conned, misled and exploited. Critical thinking can help us to conquer fear, ignorance, and gullibility; challenge long standing political, religious and social dogmas. It can free our minds from superstition and nonsense. With critical thinking, we are unlikely to fall victim to faith healers, fraudsters like evangelical con artists, money multipliers, asing`ang`as and realise that some of what we see on satellite Televisions is not faith healing but fraud. The miracles claims are stage-managed and meant to hoodwink vulnerable gullible folks. Ask yourself, why can`t these miracles solve the many economic and social problems in their countries? Why can`t the money multipliers make themselves rich? Critical thinking is for everyone. There are many superstitious beliefs in Malawi that should be subjected to critical thinking. Our society would be better off then. So think critically.

Critical thinking is an ability to evaluate, compare, critique and synthesize information, think critically and analytically; thinking to generate questions and examine and challenge claims; questioning beliefs and assumptions. These are the eight essential guidelines on thinking critically.

1) Ask questions, be willing to wonder. Creativity is sparked by an openness to question the world around us. Critical thinkers examine all ideas and beliefs. New and old claims should be examined and questioned especially when evidence is weak.

2) Define the problem clearly. To solve a problem, you must in the first place define the problem clearly. Many times proposed solutions fail because they are not addressing the correct problem.

3) Examine the evidence. Demand good evidence before accepting a belief as true. Ask for evidence to support a claim. As much relevant evidence as possible should be examined.

4) Analyze assumptions and biases. Critical thinkers need to be aware of their own biases and prejudices in order to keep those influences to a minimum.

5) Avoid emotional reasoning. Feelings and intuitions are not enough to base an argument on. Give little credit to a person who can only support his opinions by emotions. Science and our understanding of the world, progress on facts and not feelings.

6) Do not oversimplify. We live in a complex world. Avoid easy generalizations and understand that there may be several viewpoints that make valid claims. Know that “the devil is in the details’; i.e. a claim that seems impressive may turn out to be false once the details are examined.

7) Consider other interpretations. Be creative in formulating hypotheses that offer potential explanations of behavior and events. Find an explanation that accounts for the most evidence with fewest assumptions. Generate as many interpretations of the evidence as possible before settling on the most likely.

8) Tolerate uncertainty. Maintain an open mind. Be receptive to new ideas and possibilities. Do not be dogmatic. Science cannot answer every question. Some answers are probabilities. Critical thinkers must admit when they are not sure of something.

Feedback: georgethindwa@yahoo.com

Cosmology: Pictures from the Hubble Space Telescope HST (named after Edwin Hubble)

2011-03-23T16:07:00.000+02:00

Cosmology: Pictures from the Hubble Space Telescope HST (named after Edwin Hubble): "http://www.spaceandmotion.com/Cosmology-Edwin-Hubble-Space-Telescope.htm"

SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE

2011-03-22T15:23:00.000+02:00

IN THIS 'GOD-FEARING NATION IS IT NOT TIME TO HAVE THE SAME DEBATE AS OUR UGANDAN COUNTERPARTS?

Dear friends,Atheists, secularists and Humanists, HALEA is organizing a public debate on the theme of Separation of Religion and State.The Big Debate is scheduled for 25th March, at Club Obligato, in Kampala city.HALEA therefore invites all those that can attend to be there or send views on the subject that will enrich the debate.We have invited politicians, religious leaders, scholars, students and opinion leaders to share their views.Below is a brief concept note being given to the targeted participants.Hope to meet you there or hear from you, Kato Mukasa, Coordinator, Open Talk Debates ( +256 772- 576635)
.

ON ‘OPEN TALK DEBATES’ THIS FRIDAY: 25.MARCH. 2011- At CLUB OBLIGATO (2:00pm -5:00pm)

Topic: Separation of Religion and State. Should Religious Leaders be barred from Politics?

Whereas Uganda’s motto is for God and My Country, there is no official State religion, thus, - at least going by the 1995 Constitution – Uganda is Secular Nation. Secularists argue that religion should not be involved with the ordinary social and political activities of a country. However; religious leaders greatly influence the leadership and governance of the nation. The Inter Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) has been actively involved in the recently concluded elections.IRCU for instance met all presidential aspirants to ensure a free and fair election.IRCU also organized special days ( Feb 11,12&13) to pray for peaceful elections. We have also noted how politicians use religious leaders to gain power and sometimes offer them expensive gifts using tax payers’ money.

On several occasions, the Catholic Church has asked the Central government to restore a good working relationship with Buganda Kingdom in order to resolve their current stand off. Similarly, the Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC) is known for among others condemning Uganda Police Force for its brutality in stopping public rallies. President Museveni has too often, condescendingly told religious leaders to concentrate on spiritual matters and leave politics to him. In his sermon last Sunday (20^th March), Fr.Archiles Mayanja, of Rubaga Catholic Church insisted that the church can not keep out of politics because it is part of the body politic. We now ask whether the role played by religious leaders is equated to participating in politics.

We also note that some religious leaders have openly participated in politics and yes, in partisan politics too. The late Fr.John Mary Waligo was un apologetic supporter of the ruling party, NRM.The late Fr. Sseguya was an RDC, Imam Kasozi openly supports JEMA party and we know several men and women of God including priest in Parliament and other positions of leadership , many of them on the NRM ticket. Pastors such as Peter SSematimba and Robert Kayanja have openly supported the NRM party. We appreciate the fact that political contests in Uganda are generally marred by mudslinging, open bribery and vote rigging. Uganda is sharply divided along religious, ethnic and political lines and there is an urgent need to foster peace and unity as a basis for real development. Former UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion/Beliefs, Abdel Fatah Amor, noted: ‘There are only two problems, when the state owns religion and when religion owns the state’

Given the above picture

· Should religious leaders be de linked from partisan politics or the body politic as a whole?

· When does the involvement of religious leaders in the body politic become unnecessary?

· What should be the role of religious leaders in Uganda’s political setting to day?

POLITE NOTE: Open Talk Debate is a forum for critical intellectual discussion and not emotional outbursts. The debate is organized by HALEA.

- HALEA: Humanist Association for Leadership Equity and Accountability

RELEASED 'WITCH' REUNITED WITH HER FAMILY

2011-03-21T17:56:00.002+02:00

When in 2009 ASH Executive Secretary George Thindwa saw the original report of the conviction of Bertha Yohane and her sentencing to four years imprisonment on charges of witchcraft he swore to himeself that he would work to have her released.
She is now released after successful appeal and back with her family as the photo taken at Thindwa's home clearly shows.

Yohane expressed her gratitude:

"I had no idea that any people or organisation that did not know me personally could be so kind as to help me."

A report on the outline of the case appears under the heading "Another witch freed" in the blog of March 17, below.

MORE PUBLICITY FOR ASH

2011-03-21T08:40:00.001+02:00

ASH MAKES THE FRONT PAGE

A short article on the award of the 2010 Nordic Rainbow Humanist Award to our association featured on Page 2 of Malawi’s Sunday Times. The article was highlighted on the front page (see photo). This is another example of how ASH is thought of as newsworthy by the local media - another boost to our public image.

SCIENCE & CRITICAL THINKING 20 TH MARCH 2011

2011-03-21T08:37:00.000+02:00

THE FOLLOWING WAS PUBLISHED IN OUR REGULAR SCIENCE & CRITICAL THINKING COLUMN IN THE SUNDAY TIMES (OF MALAWI) – MARCH 20, 2011

WHY HUMANISM IS BETTER THAN SUPERSTITION

By Bonda Chifundo, Chancellor College

Quote: When even the brightest mind in our world has been trained up from childhood in a superstition of any kind, it will never be possible for that mind, in its maturity, to examine sincerely, dispassionately, and conscientiously any evidence or any circumstance which shall seem to cast a doubt upon the validity of that superstition. I doubt if I could do it myself. Mark Twain

Superstition encompasses beliefs in gods and witchcraft. Humanism rebuffs superstition, all supernatural beliefs and places man at the centre of life. Let me show why Humanism is better than superstition by looking at these three ways; reliability, the contribution each makes to humanity, and the view each holds of the human race.

RELIABILITY: Superstition is based on beliefs that have not been experienced and for which little evidence exists. It is founded on the precept of the unknown, unseen and should be feared. Superstition instils fear; a tendency not to question it even if one sees flaws in it. Fear is unhealthy; it restricts people from reaching their full potential and enjoying life. Humanism promotes the need to question everything and promotes free inquiry. Beliefs must be questioned. As a result, Man has made great strides in life. It was humans not gods who discovered modern medicines, created modern technology and invented things. All the inventions and positive discoveries are a result of human effort on its own.

CONTRIBUTION TO HUMANITY: Superstition has been the major cause of conflicts, death and human suffering. Religion has caused millions of deaths by persecution and we still have wars among different religious groups. Religion and other superstitions consume a lot of time, money and human labour and waste a lot of resources. If the money going to building churches were to build schools; help the poor and time spent in prayer well utilised in human development, we would be better off. Humanists don’t worship in churches, thereby saving resources, advocate that everyone must be productive; promotes reasoning without having to conform to imaginary supernatural entities. Through reasoning, man has achieved great wonders. Humanism promotes scientific explorations, whose discoveries have promoted a better life for humanity to our present world.

VIEWS OF HUMANITY; Superstition places man below the supernatural powers and therefore obliges man to subjugate himself to them. In Christianity man is below Jesus and God. Man’s purpose is to glorify these entities. Superstition denigrates man and elevates the unknowable. Superstition leads people to see others as members of a group and discriminates against minorities. In African tradition and the Holy books, woman is merely a creation to serve man. Humanism believes in the power of the human being, and that there is no supernatural source of help. Humans must solve challenges of wars, poverty, and disease on their own. Humanist do not discriminate against anyone and through evolution see men and women as equal, who live this life in the here and now without discrimination.

We live in the 21st century where we cannot be guided by doctrines and dogma. The world is now different and changing. Humanity must examine the world without fear, pursue its dreams and create a better world, free from the baleful influence of belief in non-existent powers. That is what Humanism has to offer.

Feedback: chiprebokam@gmail.com

ANOTHER 'WITCH' FREED

2011-03-17T23:19:00.000+02:00

Another victory for ASH

Yohane Belita has been released by the High Court in Zomba today, 17th March. She is on her way to Lilongwe from Zomba. She will be a visitor to ASH Executive Secretary George Thindwa's home on Sunday. The appeal case had been dragging. ASH assisted by ensuring that the lawyer quickly deposited the documents of appeal and also paid travel costs for the son to be at the High Court in Zomba..

This is Yohane Belita's story:

Belita Yohane; Balaka Court.Case No. 427/2009, Balaka District. Age 63; Offence: Witchcraft; Sentence- 4 years imprisonment.

Belita was accused of teaching children witchcraft in November 2009. It is alleged that she was transforming them into pigs, chickens and ducks before taking them to a graveyard. Yohane denied the charge. Modetsa Petro and Alice Umali and their children are the ones that accused her of being a witch and practicing witchcraft. These ladies organized people to beat Belita Yohane. Well wishers took Yohane to Balaka Police.

Rather than helping her, the police charged her with pretending witchcraft. Her accusers who committed an offence in line with section 4 of Malawi's Witchcraft Act were not prosecuted. Her accusers were instead used as state witnesses. The children and their mothers testified against her. At her trial, the Magistrate commented that her sister was also a witch. Clearly, Yohane could not get a fair hearing under the circumstance. She was found guilty and was convicted to 4 years imprisonment with effect from 25 November 2009. She was serving her sentence at Zomba Central Prison.

IMPRESSIONS OF ASH - AMERICAN HUMANIST VISITS MALAWI

2011-03-15T04:17:00.000+02:00

In February of this year, I was set to visit Malawi as a part of my dissertation work at the University of Michigan. While I was there, I had hoped to once again make contact with my acquaintances at the Association for Secular Humanism in Malawi. I had been corresponding with members of the group, and had lent support to the release of three women incarcerated in Maula Prison in Lilongwe on witchcraft related crimes.

My first introduction to the Malawi chapter of ASH had been through a meeting in Blantyre. My friend, Phil Thesing, had told me about members of the group. I was immediately intrigued, particularly after I found out that they had been somewhat involved in the well known “gay marriage” case of that year. A secular group here in Malawi sounded interesting, particularly in a place where churches of various denominations occupy every corner, faith and spiritual healers peddle their services across the countryside, and belief in the spiritual and active faith are seen as essential to life as water. I imagined the incredible challenges a group like this must face in a strongly conservative context like Malawi and they immediately earned my respect.

It is difficult for people here in the United States to imagine that people can be tried for the crime of riding on magical airplanes to South Africa or for the even more serious crime of using a witchcraft hammer to kill one’s enemies and eat their flesh. It’s even more difficult to believe that educated persons in an official capacity would take such fantastical cases seriously enough to imprison people for years in deplorable conditions. In fact, when I told people here in Ann Arbor of the three women George helped release, they mostly thought I was joking, or, at the very least, become victim to a common Nigerian 419 scam. However, it is no joke for those who fall victim. The dangerous confluence of supernatural belief and the power of the state have grave implications for Malawi’s future development and stability.

The members of ASH all turned out to be some of the most interesting and dedicated people I have ever met. Conversations with George, Sam, Harold, Mgeme and others revealed not only a vast spectrum of ideas as to the role of religion in the state and the future of Malawi’s development, but also a collection of life histories and paths to becoming dedicated humanists and human rights advocates. They taught me much about humanism and about the fascinating and complex country of Malawi. Equally fascinating was the amount of publicity and the high profile the group has in Malawi. Even people I spoke with on the street knew of the organization and readily lent their opinions on belief and on the activities of ASH. Atheist and humanist groups in the United States could only wish for such wide publicity and awareness of secular issues.

I am working on a short documentary on ASH, and on the issue of religious issues in Malawi, particularly the problem of imprisoning those who have been irrationally accused of supernatural activity. I hope that it will help in generating awareness for this incredible violation of human rights, for humanist groups in developing countries and for the dangers of mixing religion with politics. I will keep all posted on the status of my short video piece (my first one ever) and any resulting feedback.

Please do not hesitate to contact me at any time. I love hearing from like-minded people.

Pete

Peter Larson

pslarson2@gmail.com

Personal blog on political, scientific and human rights topics:

www.peterslarson.com

SCIENCE & CRITICAL THINKING 13TH MARCH 2011

2011-03-13T11:32:00.000+02:00

This article was published in our regular Science & Critical Thinking Column in the Sunday Times (Malawi) of 13th March 2011. It is unusual in that it was written by a clergyman.

'We should be thankful to Charles Darwin'

QUOTE: Man has been here 32,000 years. That it took a hundred million years to prepare the world for him is proof that that is what it was done for. I suppose it is, I dunno. If the Eiffel Tower were now representing the world's age, the skin of paint on the pinnacle-knob at its summit would represent man's share of that age; and anybody would perceive that the skin was what the tower was built for. I reckon they would, I dunno. Mark Twain

The Reverend Simon Henning, minister of Ballyblack Presbyterian Church, near Newtownards, Northern Ireland, makes the case for theistic evolution -- the claim that God used the processes of biological evolution to bring about the creation of human beings.

(From a BBC Programme with permission of the Author)

There's an old and apocryphal story that when an old firebrand preacher died people went through his sermon notes, and to their surprise, written in the margins were the words, 'argument weak, shout louder'.

February 12th the world celebrated Darwin Day. Here in Northern Ireland I wasn't aware of any such celebrations, and so you might think that Darwin is considered to be irrelevant in this part of the world, but I think that would be a mistake. You might also be forgiven for thinking there are only two sides to the Evolution debate: the radical New Atheists on the one side and the Young Earth Creationists on the other. But that's not the full story. There are many people of faith who fully embrace evolution as scientific fact - many of whom are involved in biology, and the other sciences. Theistic Evolution allows for the truth of evolution through natural selection while still able to embrace a godly component to it.

But wait, I hear you cry. Isn't evolution only a theory? Shouldn't it be treated as merely hypothetical, simply an idea with very little to back it up? The Theory of Evolution has the same scientific standing as Atomic Theory, the Germ Theory of disease, and the Theory of Gravity. If you think that gravity is simply an idea with very little to back it up, then might I suggest taking your most prized possession to the top of a tall building, shouting out loud "it's only a theory", then throwing it off. Don't forgot to record those results now, won't you?

Some people might also tell you about the mass of scientists who deny evolution and they may even produce lists of them. This looks very impressive, but the truth of the matter is even more impressive. Statistically, there are more historians who deny the Holocaust than biologists who deny evolution.

We should be thankful to Charles Darwin. His pioneering work, coupled with the later evidence of DNA, shows not that we were planted on the Earth, but that we come from the earth. We're chemically related to the rocks, and we're biologically related to plants and animals. We're not separate from creation; we're part of it.

Knowing this should transform how we treat one another, because apart from superficial differences like skin colour and facial features, we are all genetically related - and so the people of China, South America, Indonesia, North Africa, and all points in between really are my brothers and sisters. And it should also transform how we treat other animals as well as the ecosystems they reside in.

But to our shame we don't tend to hear that. What we do tend to hear are the noisy calls from those on the extremes. Argument weak, shout louder.

AMERICAN HUMANIST VISITS 'WITCHES' IN MAULA PRISON, LILONGWE

2011-03-13T06:12:00.001+02:00

It was American Humanist, Pete Larson, who raised the funds from his colleagues to pay the fines to release three old women 'witches' who were imprisoned, unable to pay their fines.
He is visiting Malawi in his professional capacity. Recently, he accompanied ASH's Executive Secretary, George Thindwa, to Lilongwe's notorious Maula Prison where he met a number of 'witches'.
He has been posting regular reports of his 'adventures' which maka excellent and entertaining reading.
We recommend you read about his experience by following this link:
http://peterslarson.com/2011/03/11/prison-in-malawi/

Philosophy Sexuality and Atheism. Conference in Kenya

2011-03-10T16:29:00.000+02:00

This notification received if anyone of academic bent with funds or who can raise funds is interested to attend:

Jahwar Amber Fund On Campus is proudly inviting you to be part of its upcoming conference this June at the Kenyatta International Conference Center, Nairobi KENYA.

The theme is Philosophy Sexuality and Atheism.

I hope that it attracts the youthful as well as the old, since we are expecting a creative dialogue full of critical endevours that could justify the stability of humanism in Kenya. We are a secular state but religious in practice, which reflects what is almost in most African countries.

Also, remember to share this information with many within your networks, so that we may get as many applicants and participants in this conference.

Best wishes,

Boaz Adhengo

Click on the links for PDF or Application Form

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY - MALAWIAN WOMEN HONOURED

2011-03-10T16:11:00.001+02:00

Women Deliver 100: The Most Inspiring People Delivering for Girls and Women

Malawian women honoured:

Dorothy Ngoma

Sarah Nkoma

And a Malawian man Chief Kwataine. Learn how he supported 'his' women.

In celebration of the 100^th anniversary of International Women’s Day, Women Deliver is announcing the “Women Deliver 100,” our list of the hundred most inspiring people who have delivered for girls and women. This list recognizes women and men, both prominent and lesser known, who have committed themselves to improving the lives of girls and women around the world. Honorees derive from the fields of health, human rights, politics, economics, education, journalism, and philanthropy, and represent a great diversity of geographic and cultural backgrounds. The 100 honorees were selected from among hundreds of potentials and feature some of the most intrepid, committed, and results-driven people in the world. Click through to read the full list.

FOR LGBT RIGHTS IN UGANDA - FELLOW HUMANIST HONOURED
Issue
Issue: LGBT rights
How she delivers for women: In a country where coming out can mean putting one’s life on the line, Jacqueline has stood up as both a proud lesbian and an advocate for LGBT rights. She founded Freedom and Roam Uganda to speak out against homophobia, train LGBT individuals as community leaders, and raise awareness of human rights abuses. In 2010, when the Ugandan newspaper Rolling Stone published pictures and addresses of 100 LGBT individuals next to the headline “Hang Them,” Jacqueline and two other advocates won a landmark case against the paper – the first legislative decision in Uganda protecting the rights of LGBT individuals. She has endured repeated threats, but remains undeterred, lobbying against the country’s proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which would punish homosexuality with death. For her unimaginable courage in the face of slander, death threats and stifling oppression, we honor Jacqueline as a true hero.
Learn more: http://www.oslofreedomforum.com/speakers/kasha-jacqueline.html

SCIENCE & CRITICAL THINKING,

2011-03-06T15:08:00.000+02:00

USEFUl KNOWLEDGE
by Harold Williams
Published in Sunday Times (Malawi) March 6th, 2011

Quote:

As people become more intelligent they care less for preachers and more for teachers.

Robert G. Ingersoll

Most of us will have learnt at school that scientific knowledge is the result of investigation, scrutiny and testing. We had the opportunity at school to test some of this knowledge by way of experimentation. We learnt that each successful experiment can be replicated time and again without any difference in outcome.

We cannot expect to put to the test all of the knowledge which we receive. We learnt that our ‘authorities’ – well-qualified teachers – and our reference books are so trustworthy that we could unquestioningly put the knowledge to practical use.

I learnt that water boils at different temperatures depending upon atmospheric pressure which varies with altitude. At sea level water boils at 100 Degrees Celsius. On Sapitwa, the summit of Mulanje Mountain at 3000 metres above sea level, water boils at 89.947C. Food cooked in boiling water will cook faster at higher temperatures. When I bought a pressure cooker I knew that the build up of pressure in the sealed pot would result in a higher cooking temperature. The pressure in these cookers is 1.03 bar (1 bar being the normal atmospheric pressure at sea level) and cooking temperature is 120C. Repeatability and reliability is my daily proof of useful knowledge that takes the mystery out of my kitchen.

At the time of our regular schooling we are exposed to another sort of ‘education’ at the hands of different ‘authorities’ – religious leaders and instructors. These ‘specialists’ ride on the back of the trust that we built up in other ‘authorities’ such as our parents and secular teachers. The so-called ‘knowledge’ that religion imparts comes from revelation and ‘sacred’, unchallengeable texts such as the Bible or the Quran. Whereas our secular teachers demonstrated tests for the accuracy and reliability of the knowledge which they were imparting, our religious teachers discouraged any questioning or testing. You cannot remove mystery, the inexplicable, from the mystery that is religion. Without ‘mystery’ there can be no religion. Religious ‘knowledge’ is myth and superstition with no useful application - the enemy of scientific enquiry.

In my childhood I was exposed to many religious superstitions. Children who died before being baptised went to a place called Limbo, denied the everlasting bliss of Heaven. Limbo has now been outlawed by the same clerical ‘authority’. Was it there previously or was it never there? Have all those poor children now gone to Heaven? What of Purgatory? What of Hell? And what of that little personal Guardian Angel who sat by my shoulder telling me what was right and wrong, helping me to fend off Satan’s temptations? What tests do we have for such beliefs? How reliable are our ‘sacred’ texts? How much of this ‘knowledge’ can we trust? What test of the ‘power of prayer’?

And of what use are such beliefs except to give churchmen power over us?

Honestly, now!

History of the Conflict between Religion & Science

2011-03-06T12:15:00.004+02:00

FOR OVER A THOUSAND YEARS CHRISTIANITY, AND LATER ISLAM, PUT KNOWLEDGE IN REVERSE!

Book review by Harold Williams, Vice Chairman, ASH

In 1878 John William Draper, son of a Wesleyan clergyman, scientist, philosopher, physician, chemist, historian, and photographer published in New York his History of the Conflict between Religion and Science. (Download free at http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1185) Before we consider the book we should consider the status of the author. According to the Oxford Dictionary of Scientists:
British–American chemist (1811–1882)

Draper, who was born in St. Helens, Lancashire, was educated at University College, London, before he emigrated to America in 1833. He qualified in medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in 1836. After a short period teaching in Virginia he moved to New York University (1838) where he taught chemistry and in 1841 helped to start the medical school of which he became president in 1850.

Most of his chemical work was done in the field of photochemistry. He was one of the first scientists to use Louis Daguerre's new invention (1837) of photography. He took the first photograph of the Moon in 1840 and in the same year took a photograph of his sister, Dorothy, which is the oldest surviving photographic study of the human face. In 1843 he obtained the first photographic plate of the solar spectrum. He was also one of the first to take photographs of specimens under a microscope. On the theoretical level Draper was one of the earliest to grasp that only those rays that are absorbed produce chemical change and that not all rays are equally powerful in their effect. He also, in a series of papers (1841–45), showed that the amount of chemical change is proportional to the intensity of the absorbed radiation multiplied by the time it has to act. Draper's work was continued and largely confirmed by the work of Robert Bunsen and Henry Roscoe in 1857. Draper's work also resulted in the development of actinometers (instruments to measure the intensity of light). He also wrote on a wide variety of other topics.
Draper's son Henry was an astronomer of note after whom the famous Harvard catalog of stellar spectra was named.

Since he wrote more than 120 years ago there have been amazing scientific discoveries especially in the fields of electriricty, communications, power generation, motorised transport, accelerating at a rate that he could not have envisaged. Yet his writings, his understanding of the origins of the Universe, its immensity and its age; the development of thought and enquiry - whichever areas he explores in the book, nothing is dated. For economy of phrase yet clarity of meaning he has few equals. The book is concise yet comprehensive and wide-ranging. It has been a revelation to me.

More than fifty-five years ago I was a young 14-15 year old living a monastic life at a Catholic Seminary in England studying for the priesthood. Life was a procession of visits to the splendid chapel - a magnicficent setting; hours of plain-chant singing; Latin liturgy, clergy dressed in richly embroidered robes; candles lit; incense thuribles swinging. But my readings of the New Testament persuaded me that what I was experiencing had nothing at all to do with what I was in the gospels. At that stage I left the seminary and gave up religious obsevance - much to the dismay of my devout mother.

Until I read Draper's book I had had no real and concise explanation for what I intuitively realised to have been true all those years ago. These outward displays were Roman add-ons.

We Humanists face many challenges from the beliefs of the religious, especially from the fundamentalists and pentecostals who are increasingly and worryingly influencing those in our society, the majority, who are unable to think or even dare think for themselves. This trend, if not stopped, will keep Malawi in the state of ignorance and mind-bondage that kept Europe in ignorance and poverty for 1200 years. Fortunately, this book, while being well-balanced, will give the Humanist apologist all the answers to any question whether it is the development of Christianity and Islam, authenticity of the 'holy' scriptures, the difference between science and religion, the nature of the 'soul' - or whatever. I can think of no question that has been asked of me that this book does not answer.

It is humiliating to think that Draper did not even have access to the latest discoveries such as those made by the Hubble telescope.

A large copy of the Hubble photo accompanying this post, large enough to set as 'wallpaper', can be downloaded at:

http://www.spacetelescope.org/static/archives/images/screen/heic0910h.jpg

The full description of the stellar event depicted can be downloaded at:

http://www.spacetelescope.org/images/heic0910h/

How can anyone who is intellectually honest with themselves contemplate the infinite 'immensity' of the Universe, in which humanity is a latecoming and insignificant part, continue to cling to the concept of a anthropomorphic god continually meddling in our insignificant affairs, concerned that we give 'it' continuing homage and praise?
Just look at the spleandour of the universe, even the magnificance of the death of a star which the Hubble photograph depicts. And man will probably disappear from this earth before our Sun dies a similar death.

Homophobia Has No Place in the Church

2011-03-05T06:47:00.002+02:00

Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation issues press release Click here to read.

NORDIC RAINBOW HUMANIST AWARD TO MALAWI'S ASH

2011-03-05T05:12:00.000+02:00

AWARDED TO AFRICAN HUMANISTS FOR THE SECOND TIME

Stockholm -- The 2010 Nordic Rainbow Humanist Award has gone to secretary general George Thindwa and his colleagues at the Association for Secular Humanism of Malawi for their "courageous public stand for LGBT rights and identity in this African nation -- taking great risks of retaliation from homophobic politicians, religious leaders, a hostile mass media and violence-prone critics."

"We are happy to receive the award," says George Thindwa. "At first we thought this was a joke!"

" This is the second time our annual Nordic award goes to Africa," says Nordic Rainbow Humanists' international secretary Bill Schiller in Stockholm "And we were very pleased to have this recommendation from earlier prize winner and outspoken supporter of LGBT rights, Leo Igwe of the Nigerian humanists."

The award motivation also states that the Malawians are being honored for "adding a voice in a continent where tolerance towards the LGBT communities is a rare exception and where even former African freedom fights and anti-colonialist leaders now in power openly call for the imprisonment and punishment for LGBT people."

" ... and for illustrating that the path to liberation, tolerance and knowledge must be taken by all of us joining together on the rainbow barricades -- flying those flags of cultural identity, visibility and human dignity -- stretching hands of friendship over national borders."

Earlier winners of the Nordic Rainbow Humanist award include George Broadhead (founder of the international, London-based GALHA (Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association), pioneering Norwegian LGBT activist Kim Friele, Carl-Johan Kleberg (former chairman of the Swedish Humanists as well as long-time member of Tupilak - Nordic rainbow cultural workers and the Nordic Rainbow Humanist) pioneering Dutch LGBT activist Rob Tieleman (former chairman of the global International Humanist & Ethical Union) Leo Igwe and his Nigerian Humanist Movement, and Remyus Cernea and colleagues of the Romanian Humanist Association.

"We hope to hand the diploma over in person at the first possible opportunity as is our tradition instead of just sending it off in the mail -- although this sometimes takes time and is not easy for a 0-budget organization as ours, Schiller concludes. "We are very grateful to GALHA for bringing Leo Igwe to London when he could receive his diploma in person, even though it took a few years after he and his Nigerian colleagues received the award."

More information via www.tupilak.org

A SECULAR SABBATH!

2011-02-28T08:15:00.002+02:00

When I opened my (Malawi Sunday Times yesterday I could have been forgiven for thinking that it was a Secular Sabbath edition!
The regular Science & Critical Thinking column had been moved from obscurity at the tail end of the Religion section and has been given a prominent position on the inside of the Letters page. Not only that, it had been highlighted and sits opposite several of the regular columnists. Promotion!
Next came a two opposing page debate on the criminalisation/decriminalisation issue of homosexuality. Executive Secretary, George Thindwa had a page on which to argue for decriminalisation.
On the front page of the Religion section and on the following page was an article expounding Bishop Tutu's pro-gay arguments. While we humanists may not agree with the religious sentiment, it is worth repeating the closing paragraphs:
Besides what he describes as intolerance from politicians, Tutu also described the largest offence as those doing it in the name of God. He challenged them to show himwhere Jesus Christ said "Love thy fellow man, except for the gay ones." Gay people, too, are made in my God's image. I would never worship a homophobic God."
"But they are sinners," I can hear the preachers and politicians say. "They are choosing a life of sin for which they must be punished." My scientist and medical friends have shared with me a reality that so many gay people have confirmed, I now know it in my heart to be true. No one chooses to be gay. Sexual orientation, like skin colour, is another feature of our diversity as a human family."
"Isn't it amazing that we are all made in God's image, and yet here is so much diversity among his people? Does God love his dark- or his light-skinned children less? The brave more than the timid? And does any of us know the mind of God so well that we can decide for him who is included, and who is excludd, from the circle of his love?," asked Tutu.
"Malawi is a god-fearing nation"
This is the trite phrase that is trotted out to stop all argument! And now - as a bonus - her regular column, This World Around Me, Deborah Nyangulu-Chipofya cries ENOUGH! In a very well argued piece she says, amongst other things: "Simply put 'We are a god-fearing nation' has become a sort of verbal bogeyman to scare off people with alternat views. And for the most part God-fearing propogandists are intolerant people who want to oppress minorities."
She ends her article with: "I hope this article won't cost me my citizenship in this God-fearing nation. But the I just want to make sense of this god-fearing talk and help avoid a situation where we would wake up one morning to be told that we can't question the autority of the President because we are a God-fearing nation."
It looks as if ASH's efforts are paying off and the whole editorial staff have had a second look at balance. Perhaps, also, they have started to think a little more critically about these issues. This is a very big change from several months ago.
We are grateful to the Editorial staff of the Sunday Times for taking a more open approach.

“GOD TOLD ME TO INVADE IRAQ”: THE DANGERS OF FAITH

2011-02-28T04:21:00.001+02:00

“GOD TOLD ME TO INVADE IRAQ”: THE DANGERS OF FAITH

By Harold Williams

Published in Malawi's Sunday Times of 27th February 2011

Quote:

The most heinous and the most cruel crimes of which history has record have been committed under the cover of religion or equally noble motives. Mahatma Gandhi

The man sitting next to me in the Western Union office picked up a magazine. “That’s the best American President ever,” – pointing to a photo of Franklin D. Roosevelt. “That man was good, too”, pointing to Abraham Lincoln, “but that man, George W. Bush, is a Devil.”

I will not discuss the rights and wrongs of two ongoing wars or make any judgment on the Bush Presidency. Iraq a once almost secular state, is now deeply divided by faith. Sunni Muslims are killing Shia. Muslim ‘fundamentalists’ attack Christians. Afghanistan looks set to fail. Al Quaeda, the real enemy, has moved on to the Mahgreb, Yemen and the Horn of Africa.

Hundreds of thousands have died in Iraq and Afghanistan both at the hands of the ‘Allied’ troops and by religious factions. Many are guided by faith and the invisible hand of ‘god’.

In Elusive Peace: Israel and the Arabs, a three-part series on BBC, Abu Mazen, Palestinian Prime Minister, and Nabil Shaath, his Foreign Minister, describe their first meeting with President Bush in June 2003.

"President Bush said: 'I'm driven with a mission from God. God would tell me, "George, go and fight those terrorists in Afghanistan." And I did, and then God would tell me, "George, go and end the tyranny in Iraq …" And I did. And now, again, I feel God's words coming to me, "Go get the Palestinians their state and get the Israelis their security, and get peace in the Middle East." And by God I'm gonna do it.'"

Bruce Bartlett a former policy adviser to Ronald Reagan and a treasury official for the first President Bush, reported

''I think a light has gone off for people who've spent time up close to Bush (Jr): that this instinct he's always talking about is this sort of weird, Messianic idea of what he thinks God has told him to do.''

Bartlett, a 53-year-old columnist and self-described libertarian Republican who was a champion for traditional Republicans concerned about Bush's governance, went on to say:

''This is why George W. Bush is so clear-eyed about Al Qaeda and the Islamic fundamentalist enemy. He believes you have to kill them all; they can't be persuaded; that they're extremists, driven by a dark vision. He understands them, because he's just like them. . . . This is why he dispenses with people who confront him with inconvenient facts. He truly believes he's on a mission from God. Absolute faith like that overwhelms a need for analysis. The whole thing about faith is to believe things for which there is no empirical evidence. But you can't run the world on faith.''

THANK YOU, BISHOP KAMBALAZAZA!

2011-02-22T05:55:00.000+02:00

Science & Critical Thinking
Thank you, Bishop Kambalazaza
By Harold Williams Published in Malawi's Sunday Times, 20 January, 2011
QUOTE:
All gods are homemade, and it is we who pull their strings, and so, give them the power to pull ours. Aldous Huxley.
(Self-styled charismatic 'Bishop' Kambalazaza featured in a full page article attacking Secular Humanists in Malawi)
Thank you, Bishop Kambalalaza, for bringing my god back to life. His name is Thor. You haven’t heard of him? His name is a noun – a personal noun. And by your own definition anything that is a noun MUST EXIST. I thought this God of my Teutonic ancestors was dead, slaughtered by monotheistic myths from the deserts of Arabia. He is only one of a logical pantheon that my ancestors worshipped.
Poor Thor - no longer worshipped! He gave his name to a day of the week – Thor’s-day. The French call it Mardi for the Roman/Latin god, Mars. ‘Mardi Gras’ is ‘Lachinai la mafuta’ a day when people go wild, in ways that the ancient Romans would have loved, with parades that all sexually-oppressed Christians should condemn. In Rio de Janeiro, they celebrate with their lewd Carnival. In New Orleans’ Mardi Gras parade, Christians have a wild time fooling themselves that they are having a good old Christian fling on Holy Thursday before the period of self-denial that they call Lent – an ancient Germanic name, still in use, for the European planting season of Spring. It is a pagan festival of insemination, fertility and birth taken over by Christianity.
Moon-day is the day of the Goddess of the moon. Latinate speakers use the root ‘luna’ – ‘moon’ – as the base for French ‘lundi’ ; Spanish ‘lunes’; Italian ‘lunedi’. The god Wodin gave his name to Wodin’s-day. The Latin god was Mercury - ‘mercredi’ (French), ‘miercoles’ (Spanish), ‘mercoledi’ (Italian). The god ‘Frigg’ of my ancestors, ‘Venus’ of the Romans gave us – Frigg’s-day and Vendredi. The god Saturn gave us Saturn’s-day, the ‘sabbath’.
Thank you, Bishop, for bringing these nouns-gods back to life.
By your definition, if man has named it, it MUST EXIST - just like dragons and fairies. And you expect atheists to disprove your wild imaginings? It is for you to provide the proof. My imagination cannot fill in by wishful thinking what my intellect rejects. No one has come back after death to say they have seen god. Not revelation but the logic that I use for other phenomena will guide my beliefs.
My northern European ancestors gave up their own gods for the Christian god who had migrated over centuries, originally the god of Jesus the Jew, from Palestine through Greece and Rome. In the process Christianity underwent many man-made changes adopting Christmas, Easter, the Trinity, the virgin mother – oh, a whole host of stuff not mentioned in the Bible – familiar concepts from their old religions to make the new religion acceptable to people unhappy to give up their ancient gods, more often not through spiritual conversion but on the command of their rulers.
Over a hundred and fifty years ago the Europeans brought their god to Malawi. The majority in Malawi adopted the ruler’s religion.
God-nouns still exist. If being a ‘noun’ proves existence then all the gods of all times, in all regions, still exist. So how can there be only one true god? Or are all these gods really one god?
How to decide on the conflicting claims? War amongst religions of ‘peace’ is the normal outcome!
Coming upon so many conflicting and equally ridiculous concepts of god, we must agree that all gods are merely the inventions of man.
In rejecting all gods, including the gods of my ancestors, we acknowledge that all are equally illogical.