LAKE FOREST, Calif. (ABP) — After significant criticism of his
previous reticence on the subject, widely known Baptist pastor Rick
Warren spoke out publicly Dec. 10 against draconian anti-gay
legislation pending in Uganda's Parliament.
Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., has been criticized in recent days for failure to denounce a proposed law in Uganda that would sentence some homosexuals to death.
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In an open letter and video message, the pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., called on Uganda's pastors to speak out against the Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2009, which in its draft form would punish some kinds of homosexual behavior by death. Warren is also author of the best-selling book The Purpose Driven Life.
Warren's statement follows criticism in blogs and the media that discrimination against homosexuals in Uganda, where homosexuality is already legally a crime, is exacerbated by visits of high-profile preachers from the United States. Warren drew criticism after saying in media interviews that he does not consider it his role as an American pastor to criticize other countries' laws.
In his Dec. 10 statement, however, Warren said his decision not to make a public statement caused some to erroneously conclude that he supports the bill and some even claimed he was a sponsor.
"As an American pastor, it is not my role to interfere with the politics of other nations, but it is my role to speak out on moral issues," Warren said. "It is my role to shepherd other pastors who look to me for guidance, and it is my role to correct lies, errors and false reports when others associate my name with a law that I had nothing to do with, completely oppose and vigorously condemn."
Warren described the proposed law as "unjust, extreme and un-Christian." He said it would force pastors to report pastoral conversations with homosexuals to
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authorities and would have "a chilling effect" on ministries to people who are hurting. Warren said all life is precious to God, and it would be inconsistent to save some lives and wish death on others.
Warren said he prefers to build consensus for social change through direct diplomacy and behind-the-scenes dialogue than through the media. He said the first thing he did when he heard about the Ugandan law was to write the most influential religious leader he knew in the country, the Anglican archbishop of Uganda, and share his opposition and concern.
"While we can never deny or water down what God's Word clearly teaches about sexuality, at the same time the church must stand to protect the dignity of all individuals — as Jesus did and commanded all of us to do," Warren said.
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Bob Allen is senior writer for Associated Baptist Press.