Distinguish sin and crime: Activist censure Malawi clergy on gay rant

Human rights campaigner Timothy Mtambo has said Malawi was founded on secular pillars of democracy and is not a Christian nation therefore calls by religious leaders for government to outlaw homosexuality is irrelevant and misplaced.

Mtambo (L) and Gift Trapence :  Malawi is secular state therefore should be run on Christian doctrine
Mtambo (L) and Gift Trapence : Malawi is secular state therefore should be run on Christian doctrine

Mtambo, who heads the vocal Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR), said people should distinguish sin from crime.

A crime is a violation of criminal law, a sin is a violation of religious law or belief.

“Let the state run the affairs of the nation based on democratic principles and human rights not on church doctrines,” said Mtambo.

He said whilst religious leaders may view homosexuality as a sin before God, the Republican Constitution, to the contrary respects rights of everybody including the minority gays and lesbians.

He therefore said homosexuality is not a crime in Malawi therefore religious leaders and their followers should respect this.

Mtambo said the government should not be forced to mix up between sin and crime, saying Malawi is a secular state.

Catholic bishops and other religious leaders including Muslims have been urging President Peter Mutharika not to give in on donors’ pressure to allow homosexuality.

However, there is a heated debate on social media outlets and comments posted on Nyasa Times on the matter with some asking why church leaders are taking homosexuality as the worst sin more than prostitution, theft or envy which are clearly spelt out in the Biblical 10 commandments.

When asked why he was promoting rights of gays in Malawi when he was heterosexual himself, Gift Trapence of Centre for Development of People hit back: “You don’t need to be a child to be a rights activist, you don’t need to be a prostitute to be an activist of prostitutes, you don’t need to be a woman to be a rights activist of women.”

Government says there are 40000 gays in Malawi but most of them operate underground in fear of discrimination or threats to their lives.

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Jones
Jones
8 years ago

To Morris (20) Malawi was created by a western culture. Why has the Min of Education brought the teaching of English into junior classes? Why is English spoken in your parliament? Malawi has signed the UN declaration on human rights and until they withdraw from that agreement anyone can take the constitution or the Laws of Malawi to the UN and seek a solution. Finally, where did your GOD come from?

Jones
Jones
8 years ago

You the so called human rights campaigner we have been fed up with your nonsense we are born from a mother and a woman thats why we are humans. Fight for your so called rights to people of your nature who are not born from a father and a woman not us. Have you ever saw a cock a having sex with a fellow cock? It is clear that your thinking capacity is very shallow more than a bird and your education did nothing to you. By the way how did they choose you to be a reader of that… Read more »

Atate
8 years ago

I for one really like the comment from Angozo.

Benard Binwell
Benard Binwell
8 years ago

christianity ikubwera pano pomwe policy imeneyi ili mkamwa mkamwa remember gyz sitinasankhe mbusa to be president anthu anangosankha malinga ndi mfundo zake nde anthu asamuphunzitse bible lero! popedza chiwelerewele ndi tchimo koma constitution yomweyo siiletsa uhule bwanji tikapange oppose imeneyi

Angozo
Angozo
8 years ago

Mr Mtambo, would you also advocate for the revision or removal of the Malawi National Anthem as it mentions God. If you do not succeed in getting this done, then shut up your rotten mouth as you do not know what you are talking about. You, sons of the devil. You might be intelligent but your intelligence should not pop its nose into the ream of wisdom, you will not succeed. If you succeed in this earthly life you will regret on the last day. Who are you to school the clergy? Would you have existed if it were not… Read more »

Angozo
Angozo
8 years ago

Mr Mtambo, would you also advocate for the revision or removal of the Malawi National Anthem as it mentions God. If you do not succeed in getting this done, then shut up your rotten mouth as you do not know what you are talking about. You, sons of the devil. You might be intelligent but your intelligence should not pop its nose into the ream of wisdom, you will not succeed. If you succeed in this earthly life you will regret on the last day. Who are you to school the clergy? Would you have existed if it were not… Read more »

Morris
8 years ago

Those who are supporting such immoral behaviours should be sentenced to death including these two devils , Mtambo and trapence. Yes Malawi is a secular state , but it does not mean people should be under the influence of western cultures. Let those who are busy advocating this immoral practice take and teach their sisters and brothers.

Kamuzu Banda
Kamuzu Banda
8 years ago

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things we do for money.
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Diederichs Banda
Diederichs Banda
8 years ago

Mtambo you should be in apposition to know that there is no difference between the two unless you are being guided by the father of sin which is a crime in the sight of God .Remember that the first punishment of crime was to keep that person(one who has committed crime or has sinned against the community including moral behavior) in custody, If you study CRIME you will be in apposition to understand this. Punishment was that that one was to be put in jail and be given a bible for seven days and be repeated till he/she repents .… Read more »

George phiri
George phiri
8 years ago

The President has complicated issues by suspending the law.

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