Today, I resume tackling the issue of LGBTQ, the endorsement of which goes against our religious and societal values. Yet LGBTQ movements have overtaken the western world under the pretext of freedom, equality, non-discrimination, and the right to self-determine one’s identity. Such excellent principles have been exploited to justify evil, deviance, and mendacity. Yet there are voices that denounce and resist the frightful invasion of societies, especially those of the “advanced world”, by LGBTQ values. Last May, when Uganda moved to defend its constants, traditions, and family values, by passing a law criminalising LGBTQ, what should US Secretary of State Antony Blinken do but rush into vocal condemnation of the law, branding it as one that curtails freedoms and roots discrimination. Secretary Blinken appeared to disregard the fact that he was intervening in the domestic affairs of a sovereign country.
The incident I present today took place in Sydney, Australia, where Prime Minister Anthony Albanese participated in a pride parade replete with rainbow-coloured banners and LGBTQ slogans. This brought on a heated tirade of protest from Mar Mari Emmanuel, Metropolitan of the Ancient Assyrian Church of the East in Australia and New Zealand. The Metropolitan announced that a peaceful protest would take place the following day at the Cathedral of St Mary to voice the rejection of Christians to LGBTQ and to the support demonstrated by the Prime Minister to it. He said that LGBTQ principles are incongruent with the Christian faith that is built on Christ’s teachings. He said that Christians everywhere in the world, be that the US, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Asia, or the Middle East, will stand for their beliefs. “So when you come and try to impose any way of life, any philosophy, any ideology that contradicts our beliefs … rest assured that this will never be.”
The Metropolitan addressed the Prime Minister saying that in choosing to march in pride parades and suchlike, or to support specific issues, he should realise that he is not representing Australia because Australians include Christians who are opposed to LGBTQ; “you are representing only you,” the Metropolitan said. He described the current situation as one of moral bankruptcy where LGBTQ rights are glorified while religious freedom is trampled, and religious beliefs are branded as racist and discriminatory. He said the government was touting democracy and human rights while it was in fact rooting slavery. Under such conditions, he said, it was up to Christians to adhere to their beliefs and protect their children. “Our belief is firm that God created humans in His own image and likeness, male and female He created them, Adam and Eve. If someone chooses a way of life different than what God intended, this is his own choice; he has no right to impose it on others or to force it on their children.” Metropolitan Mar Mari Emmanuel said he considers LGBTQ a most dangerous heresy in our modern times, and cries for the reawakening of the Christian values that were once the motive force for the Australian nation, but have today become an old legacy that some feel ashamed of. He said the Bible was being pulled out of schools to make way for heretical material that brings disgrace.
I leave Australia for the US where another frightful activity is taking place. Video footage posted on social media showed a woman visiting the kids’ section in a Target store where clothes of children, even babies and toddlers, carry slogans such as “I’m so happy I’m queer”. The kids’ collection includes a large proportion of pride stuff, the woman says, showing horrifying samples of clothes intended for transgender kids, such as swimsuits that advertise a light binding effect on the chest or others that highlight bottoms in which male genital organs may be tucked. All this should work to introduce children to the thought of gender fluidity, and prepare a generation aware of and endorsing LGBTQ+.
As though this were not enough, the kids’ collection also featured clothes carrying satanic messages: “Satan loves you and respects who you are”; “Satan is hope, compassion, equality, and love”; “Satan loves all LGBT people”. It all points at a diabolical conspiracy targeting the family and the community. But the conspiracy backfired; the outraged, incensed public decided to boycott Target. Initial estimates of the retailer’s weekly losses are in the billions of dollars. But the question that begs an answer is: who stood to benefit from Target’s promotion of LGBTQ, and who paid for it? The obvious purpose of the promotion of such thought among children is that, as they grow, they would be in a position to defy their parents if they happen to be opposed to LGBTQ. How successful that could be, or whether or not the trend would move to other US retailers once the initial shock subsides, are matters to watch for.
I fear for our country should such goods sneak in to us through individuals who may not be perceptive of the slogans they carry. Do not be surprised at that, it happened before with less dangerous goods, owing to well-intentioned ignorance.
Watani International
23 June 2023