The founder and the General Overseer of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, Prophet T.B Joshua has urged people to stop condemning homosexuals but rather pray for the salvation of their souls.
The cleric stated this while replying a message sent to him by one of his followers. The sender of the message asked the opinion of T.B Joshua on the controversial subject.
T.B. Joshua replied: “Judge not, so that you will not be judged (Matthew 7:1). We should talk to people to be saved and not to die. I mean, we should talk salvation, not condemnation. The Bible is my standard.
“If my parents were one, I would not have been given birth to. Those that are asking this question – if your parents were one, you would not have been given birth to. You that are reading me – if your parents were one, you would not be reading this today. God bless the reader and the hearer.”
Meanwhile, mixed reactions have trailed the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act that was recently signed into law by President Goodluck Jonathan. While most Nigerians hailed the law, the international community especially the western nations have vehemently kicked against it.
Pro- Gay movements have started campaign on the internet calling on nations to suspend international trade with Nigeria. Also the United States of America frowned at the new law arguing that it undermines people’s rights.
Also, the European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton today also joined in condemning Nigeria’s ban on same-sex unions . EU described it as “discriminatory and in contravention of fundamental human rights”.
“I am concerned about the signing into law in Nigeria of the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act,” Ashton said in a statement. “The European Union is opposed to discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.
“It is firmly committed to fundamental human rights and the rule of law in respect of those rights, including freedom of association, conscience and speech and the equality of persons.”
“I am therefore particularly concerned that some provisions of the Act appear to be in contradiction with those fundamental rights, which are themselves guaranteed by Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, and to be inconsistent with the legal obligations enshrined in a number of international agreements to which Nigeria is a party.”
The United Nations too has attacked the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill 2013, accusing President Goodluck Jonathan of trampling over a raft of basic human rights and threatening vital healthcare plans.
Meanwhile, Nigeria has remained steadfast on its decision to stamp out homosexuality from the country which government officials and most Nigerians believe is alien to the nation’s customs and culture.
