For the past ten years, there has been a clandestine church operating in Kenya.
The church acknowledges Kenya as a nation deeply committed to its religious beliefs. Within its walls, the church offers a sanctuary for gay worshippers, ensuring their services remain concealed from the eyes of the public. In an interview with BBC, John, a gay priest, recounts his connection to his newly founded religious community. He had been ordained in a mainstream church before joining his new congregation.
John grappled with condemnation from his former church leaders who considered his sexual orientation sinful. He made the tough call to depart from his parish. The church had expected him to remain celibate, but he believed that sacrificing his own happiness for acceptance was too steep a price to pay. As John contemplates his current community, he conveys joy that the intersections of his ethnicity, sexual orientation, and vocation as a man of the cloth are being embraced without conflict in his new church.
He learned of the clandestine religious community through the internet, although others typically rely on recommendations from their acquaintances. To ensure the safety of its members, the church maintains strict confidentiality regarding the details of its gatherings. Prospective members are thoroughly vetted before receiving an invitation, as a precaution against potential threats or ill-intentioned individuals.
The congregation collectively understands and prioritizes the importance of security and safety. The ban on gay and lesbian organizations being able to register as non-governmental organizations was overturned by the Supreme Court. However, this church has chosen not to register due to the rise in anti-LGBT sentiment and a recent proposal to strengthen anti-gay legislation by a member of parliament.
On a Sunday filled with warmth and gentle wind, music drifts from the insignificant structure. In due course, a group of around 30 individuals arrive, filling the room. Pauline, who dons a lustrous crimson-red scarf and a flowing black robe asks, “Shall we start? Can we each take the time to close our eyes and meditate?” The assembled group goes hushed and deeply contemplative.
Pauline, a co-founder of the church, takes great pride in her identity as a non-binary lesbian and specifically requests the use of “they” and “them” as her preferred pronouns. In its early stages, the church came into existence through the collaboration of a close-knit circle of friends who sought solace and understanding in each other’s company.
“When you are excluded from a community [church], there is an innate desire to find out if others have experienced similar rejection,” shares Pauline, who never felt accepted in mainstream churches.
Kalejinga Assemblies of Gays…
Kalejinga Assemblies of Gays. Kenya imefika Sodom na Gomorrah Kawa Wenye waliAmka asuBuhi na maPema kumPigia mJanja?wao.
GOD burned???down Sodom and…
GOD burned???down Sodom and Gomorrah because of Homesexuality!!!!!!!!?
Hope ur not out their…
Hope ur not out their praising Jesus as per the Bible Hell is where ur goin. U have the rite to be free to live ur life but understand a stone or brick might fall ur way as it will take awhile for Kenyans to fully open up to the Gay shit.
I strongly believe that…
I strongly believe that there is something innate in some humans,and animals, that make them homosexuals;much like some one being left handed or having two different sex organs.Through out human history,man has always avoided,or rejected the”out-of-norm behavior”,or appearance.In some societies,children who manifested tendencies of being left handed were tied so that they could use only the right hand,and thus”readjust.Worse some communities rejected babies born as twins,or more.In our neighboring nation TZ, albinos are treated as pariahs,or cursed.As enlightened societies, we know better…Thanks to SCIENCE…We also know that most societies have not treated their mentally ill members well,despite the sickness being no fault of their own.
Thanks to SCIENCE, it has largely cleared,or dispelled most of the beliefs that were erroneously held due to ignorance.
Religion derives strength in offering “answers” ,and hope to the ‘unknowns’,by having them believe through faith.This is akin to “dont ask questions;just believe…When you have blind faith, there is no right or wrong answer.Only lack of understanding.Everything cannot be explained,because God knows best,even if it looks, and sounds awful to mankind,in God’s eye-Its all good if He willed it.
In conclusion, I say, let’s all be open minded,and tolerant,in matters that others have a difference of opinion,especially if they do not’ harm’ us ,and their views are not backed by SCIENCE.At least for now, we can all agree that the world is round.A fact that was once disputed by religious fanatics and could have had you killed.
I strongly believe that…
I strongly believe that there is something innate in some humans,and animals, that make them homosexuals;much like some one being left handed or having two different sex organs.Through out human history,man has always avoided,or rejected the”out-of-norm behavior”,or appearance.In some societies,children who manifested tendencies of being left handed were tied so that they could use only the right hand,and thus”readjust.Worse some communities rejected babies born as twins,or more.In our neighboring nation TZ, albinos are treated as pariahs,or cursed.As enlightened societies, we know better…Thanks to SCIENCE…We also know that most societies have not treated their mentally ill members well,despite the sickness being no fault of their own.
Thanks to SCIENCE, it has largely cleared,or dispelled most of the beliefs that were erroneously held due to ignorance.
Religion derives strength in offering “answers” ,and hope to the ‘unknowns’,by having them believe through faith.This is akin to “dont ask questions;just believe…When you have blind faith, there is no right or wrong answer.Only lack of understanding.Everything cannot be explained,because God knows best,even if it looks, and sounds awful to mankind,in God’s eye-Its all good if He willed it.
In conclusion, I say, let’s all be open minded,and tolerant,in matters that others have a difference of opinion,especially if they do not’ harm’ us ,and their views are not backed by SCIENCE.At least for now, we can all agree that the world is round.A fact that was once disputed by religious fanatics and could have had you killed.
Ngoma
Ngoma
I can’t wait to read the…
I can’t wait to read the comments on this one.
Now that the pope has …
Now that the pope has “blessed” same sex marriages,they should just come out in the open.Or merge with the Catholic church.