I was trying to look for a friend online. His name is Jide, and I was looking for his yahoooemail address, if I could find it on any forum where I know he visits. During my search, I stumbled on someone else with the same name, and after reading the first few lines of the blog where this strange information came from, I diverted and started looking for more information about my new ‘Jide’.
What really got me pissed in the blog I read through is the line that makes up this post’s title: “Rowland ‘Jide’ Macaulay is a Black, Nigerian, Born-again Christian who openly admits to being gay“.
You see, in Nigeria and amongst Nigerians, there are things that, by default don’t just go together – as far as reference to Nigerians are concerned. For example, if I hear “yahoo yahoo” and “Nigerian” in the same sentence, I would say, “maybe”; and this “maybe” must be fine-tuned by the criminal’s tribal origin: Yoruba / Igbo. Sometime ago, I had to verify if “Igbo” and “Muslim” can go together in a real Nigerian sentence. Read it here: why are there no igbo muslims?
If the above line reads: “gay” + “born-again Christian”, I would still be concerned, but not as much as when “Nigerian” is added into this foul picture. If you want to tell a lie / make a statement for a Nigerian to consider true, you better go do your research and tell it wellu wellu. Now, I would forgive the use of the “black” word in the above quote coz Nigerians are 100% black such that the word “black” doesn’t need to be used to describe a genuine Nigerian, except ofcourse if you are Eminem. So, to such things which don’t make sense, the first true-Nigerian response is: “na lie”.
To the real thing: I just don’t feel comfortable reading through the above with the words: “Nigerian“, “Born-again Christian” used with the rest of whatever the sentence had to say: “gay“. The complete quote reads:
You see, Rowland ‘Jide’ Macaulay is a Black, Nigerian, Born-again
Christian who openly admits to being gay. He is also an ordained
reverend; a man of the cloth. He was once rooted in the Pentecostal
church but left the flock disillusioned by the exclusive nature of its
congregation. Now aged 40 and living in London , Jide is comfortable
accepting who, he believes, he is – an African, gay Christian; a child
of God.continue reading: The Homophobic Church, interview with Rev. Jide Maculay
I now remember that sometime ago, late last year 2010, I over-heard some people(I was inside a bus) talking about a gay pastor in Lagos. I doubted it then, but alas, its true. I doubted it ‘then’ coz I felt Nigerians were smarter than being deceived up to such a point: sexual identity confusion. Nigerians for that matter? insult upon injury.
Seriously, wahala dey o: when did homosexuals become Christians and born-again for that matter? Is it the same Jesus that died on the cross that saved this Reverend Jide and his sexually-confused members from sin? and did this Jesus save him from being gay? was Mr. Jide’s redemption the same one as the Bible-day Christians? Or maybe its not the same Jesus we all know about that Jide Maculay believes?
I do not mean to be judgmental here, but when its time to call a spade a spade, you better not call it a spoon. I do not like mincing words.
In an article he wrote titled Africans and Homosexuality, this guy says:
Lesbians and gay men of African descent, like myself,
today struggle to affirm our identity because we have often been expected
to deny our sexuality for the sake of surviving in our spiritual communities.
Religious tradition has too often emphasised the holiness of heaven over
the holiness of the earth.
Now, I thought / do think that the purpose of Jesus coming to earth is to save man from an unholy earth (since satan is on the prowl as a roaring lion) and thus prepare man for a holy heaven. This Jide man obviously has his own theology upside down.
Here is the result of my research:
- Jide is a Nigerian born in London UK, he is openly gay, a Christian theologian, a
poet, self-published author, an educator in business and Christian
education. Rev Jide Macaulay holds a Law degree and a Master degree in
Theology. Rev Rowland Jide Macaulay was ordained clergy in 1998, now serving with
the Metropolitan Community Churches as the Pastor of a new church, which
began September 2006 in Lagos Nigeria, called House Of Rainbow MCC. - Jide Maculay’s blog,
- Jide Maculay’s House of Rainbow Church blog, Nigeria’s first gay Church?
- “Rev. Jide’s” organization: http://www.rjmm.co.uk/
It would have been better if Rev. Jide stuck with his NGO professional career and didn’t pull Christianity/Church into his activities. This would have made me less pissed off than I am now. I rest my case for today.
The above are the thoughts tumbling in my head.
- can true Christianity and homosexuality go together? I don’t think so.
What do you have to say!
thejourney2011
April 13, 2011
Homosexuality is an orientation. You are born with it. Christianity – like any religion – is a choice. The relationship between the two has not been easy, but I think anyone can be a Christian – gay, straight, left-handed, black, green, blue-eyed. The original religion of Jesus was all-inclusive. It was only when his teaching became distorted that a barrier was raised between “us” and “the other”. And there is nothing “sexually confused” about being gay.
fantasy queen
April 13, 2011
my bible clearly states that its wrong, Christianity has been watered down to suit everyone’s needs, there’s probably a ‘born again’ club owner, or a ‘born again’ robber. in reference to the above comment, you just cant stop being a girl because you want to even when you dress like a boy and stuff…. but you can stop being gay. ask the people that have given up that life style for God. check out http://www.p4cm.com watch videos of ex-homosexuals testimonies.
it doesn’t mean God doesn’t love them, he loves all his children, but a days coming when he’ll bring judgment upon the world and separate the sheep from the goats.
i’m a christian and this is my belief.
thejourney2011
April 13, 2011
Hmmm, I guess the Bible may have been watered down to suit everyone’s needs too. In my Bible there is nothing about sexual orientation. And there is no such thing as ex-gay – it’s propaganda of religious fanatics.
An inspiring quote:
“I can’t for the life of me imagine that God will say, ‘I will punish you because you are black, you should have been white; I will punish you because you are a woman, you should have been a man; I will punish you because you are homosexual, you ought to have been heterosexual.’ I can’t for the life of me believe that is how God sees things.” –The Most Reverend Desmond Tutu, Archbishop of Cape Town
NoLimit
April 13, 2011
The Bible clearly doesn’t support same sex relationship and NO I am not homophobic,there’s nothing like a Christian gay… it can’t be in the same sentence I’m afraid.
We were created to multiply and have dominion…I don’t see that happening with two gay people without man’s intervention so let’s call a spade a spade and not an agricultural implement.
As my people will say, what is bad is bad!
thejourney2011
April 14, 2011
There Bible has nothing to say about same-sex relationships. It even says nothing about homosexuality, as it was not recognised and understood back then.
“Dominion” is a mistaken concept (and a mistranslation) that has led to colonialism and ecological depletion of our planet. “Multiplying” has already led to overpopulation in many parts of the world. The Bible cannot be used (and abused) to justify our prejudices, although it has often been used in such a way. Bibliolatry is like worshipping any other false idol. The Bible should be read with reason and critical thinking. Which shows that if “muliplying” was indeed such a good thing then those who cannot or will not reproduce would be the biggest sinners.
OmoJesus
April 18, 2011
@thejourney2011
To say that “some people are born with Homosexuality” is to say that it is possible for an eagle to be born with a rabbit’s orientation; and to say that perhaps, someday, the rabbit will lift up its wings and fly.
Yes, Jesus came to preach and teach about God, and he called ALL(all humans regardless of who they are, where they are from and whatever they believed) to come unto Him(Jesus) for rest. I believe that once a person comes to Jesus, there has to be a change.
For example: if I was a thief before, I cant claim to still be a thief after accepting Jesus. If there is no obvious change in my lifestyle after my claim of accepting Jesus, then my claim is doubtful.
@Fantasy queen said it rightly: “Christianity has been watered down to suit everyone’s needs, there’s probably a ‘born again’ club owner, or a ‘born again’ robber.”
The Bible talks of God creating male and female and nothing in-between. The Bible talks of spirits(good and evil), angels, demons, animals, etc. There is nothing about anything in between the male and female.
@ your quote from Reverend Desmond Tutu,
do not get him wrong. Yes, God will not punish anyone based on the color of their skin; God will not punish anyone because he/she is fat/thin, tall/short; God will not punish anyone based on the church he/she attends/refuses to attend; or whether someone is homo/hetero/anything sexual. God will punish mankind because of Sin.
Leviticus 18:22
22Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
Leviticus 20:13
If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
v9 = Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
v10 = Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Romans 1:25-27
v25 = Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
mypenmypaper
April 18, 2011
@OmoJesus,
after all you have said, I have nothing more to say.
BTW, you have a nice blog.
thejourney2011
April 18, 2011
Thank you for your thoughts, OmoJesus. Personally, I think that the quotes you provided pose more problems to your interpretation that support for it. The more I studied them, the more I became convinced that they do not mean what some would like us believe they do. But it would not be nice to abuse our host’s hospitality, so may I only suggest one book: “What the Bible Really Says about Homosexuality” by Daniel Helminiak. It may not change your mind, but it will certainly enrich and broaden your views.
Paul
April 19, 2011
There is no reason to be afraid of gay people. Sexual orientation is not contagious – it cannot be changed or acquired. Unfortunately, some so called “Christian” who confuse their church with God believe that the ends justify the means:
http://www.religiondispatches.org/dispatches/candacechellew-hodge/4506/ugandan_anti-gay_preacher_pays_fake_%E2%80%9Cex-gay%E2%80%9D_witnesses_to_testify_for_anti-homosexuality_bill
Danladi Dele Agbeyo
May 13, 2011
Following Biology and Evolution theory, originally, reproduction was by assexual reproduction. Most of the lower animals like amoeba, bacteria, etc reproduce assexually. Sex came into the picture when survival became critical and became wide spread activity because it allows for diversity of life. It allows for greater variations in the gene pool. In other words it assists the survival of the species, including ours and was selected by evolution in the reproduction of complex organisms. Man would not have evolved if nature has maintained asexual reproduction. However, once a while there are very rare odds in the gene pools that still retain our primodial behaviour of asexual reproduction methods. This is why all of humanity cannot be straight, 100%. Besides, some gene sites have recently been identified by genetists as being responsible for our sexuality. We therefore need to make allowances for gays and bisexuals in our midst and understand it from the biological or evolutionary perspective. Unfortunately, religion has interefered negatively in colouring wrongly our understanding of our humanity and sexuality. Jesus, if he ever existed, was surrounded most of the ttime by 12 disciples who are men. How did he and his disciples handled the human frailty as regards sex? Or why did Jesus chose not to marry or cohabit with Maria Magdalene? It is anybody’s guess. In the comtemporary world, the reverend fathers of the Roman Catholic also face similar challenges in an attempt to defy nature and remain celibate. Reports and real life events show that these ‘guinea pigs’ of the pious society do not adhere strictly to their callings. Stories abound of abuses with minors and cases of homosexuality/lesbianism amongst the nuns and priests in the media. I believe, we are simply hypocrites.
I have nothing against anyone being gay or straight, just as I have no grudge against anyone that is tall or short. It is what nature has selected without our knowledge or permission. I am an atheist because I was born with an analytical mind, while my siblings do not carry such geneological traits.
bigdaveselloathinghomo
June 2, 2011
I hate all queers.
Seithati
September 12, 2011
many people have often failed to give cogent definition of Being homosexual, rather they explain their own cultural perspective!!
Homo-sexuality is not European Influence: we had it before we can be colonized by Westerners. However, these arbitrary rules and prisons in the African societies were brought by Roman Dutch Law, where our fellow Africans were burned and choped their heads without any rational justification. it is really a tamentor that we are still having these consevertative people in our societies: The people who do not have the will of change, to accept human differences on earth.
Bimbola
November 2, 2011
For those who say the Bible had nothing to say about same sex relationships, I’ll like to refer them to Genesis 19: 5-7:
“And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, “where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them. And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him, And said, “I pray you, brethren, do not so WICKEDLY”
Lot saw it as wickedness that men chose to sleep with other men.
Here’s another one:
Leviticus 18:22 ESV
You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.
I rest with the Word of God. Let’s not let the thoughts of how we want or expect things to be to shroud the way God meant for things to be.
Paul
November 3, 2011
Bimbola,
As stated above, your quotes pose more problems than they solve. For starters: other texts in the Bible state that the Sodom’s guilt was inhospitality, and none refers to its perceived “homosexuality”. And the text from Leviticus only refers to men, so presumably being lesbian is OK. Does God like watching lesbian sex (like most males do)?
But then again, if you prefer to pick and choose texts and then interpret them in the way that they agree with your prejuduce, so be it…
Justme
December 7, 2011
really! why are we killing ourselves about this? are our parents of the same sex? can you mention to your parent(s) that you have a partner of the same sex? lets be frank and look at it the right way. It is an abomination even where you come from. Can you openly go to your village and tell your kinsmen that you want to marry someone of the same sex? if you think it’s right why not come out openly and announce it?
May God help us in this world cos we can see soddom and gomorrah coming back and may God not destroy this world the way he did in their time.
Paul
December 8, 2011
If you can’t then it just shows how hypocritical some traditional cultures are. When I was growing up people would try to “change” you if you were left-handed. But you can’t argue with biology and your genes, can you?