A University of Cape Town student leader, Zizipho Pae, has been suspended from the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) and subjected to abuse and intimidation for expressing an opinion on her personal Facebook page that the legalisation of same-sex marriage in the United States amounts to legalising sin.
The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) has expressed shock at the “storm” over Pae’s Biblically-based remark and has called on the university of Cape Town “to protect this young lady from being harassed because of her religious beliefs”.
But in an interview with Family Policy Institute Director (FPI), Errol Naidoo, Pae, a final year economics and statistics student and Vice President of the SRC, says that university authorities have not taken any action on a Facebook campaign of threats, insults, obscenties and blasphemies against her by homosexual activists on campus or their trashing of her SRC office. However she says the University Department of Marketing and Communications has spoken to some of the media, saying that people should be allowed to express free speech but the university stands with the LGBTI [homosexual activists] community which is accusing her of “hate speech” and “homophobia” and wants her to be not only expelled from the SRC but from the university as well.
Call for Christian action
Naidoo has called on Christians to write immediately to UCT Vice Chancellor, Dr Max Price at vc@uct.ac.za and request that he “urgently intervene to stop the horrendous attacks and anti-Christian bigotry against Zizipho Pae”. He has also urged Christians to write to SRC president, Ramabina Mahapa at srcpresident@uct.ac.za “and request that he not cave in to homosexual gestapo tactics and also protect the constitutional rights of Christian students at UCT”. According to The Citizen, Mahapa‚ SRC President‚ said the SRC distanced itself from Pae’s comments, immediately suspended her and is launching an investigation.
Pae’s Facebook post which sparked the backlash against her was made on Tuesday (June 28, 2015), days after the US Supreme Court’s decision to legalise same-sex marriage across all 50 state of the US. She wrote: “We are institutionalizing and normalizing sin. May God have mercy on us”,
According to Jacaranda.fm even the Democratic Alliance(DA) National Spokesperson Marius Redelinghuys, joined the Facebook uproar provoked by Pae’s comment, saying “Yes we are institutionalising all of it. We even took away the god given right to own slaves”.
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Asked by Naidoo whether she would retract her comment as requested by the SRC, Pae said:”Definitely not. Being an SRC member does not in my view mean that you have got to abandon your Christian convictions and your faith. Christ in my life comes before all political positions or political thoughts. So I definitely won’t be retracting what I said.”
Biblical teaching
Expressing shock at the storm over Pae’s Facebook comment on legalising same-sex marriage, ACDP President, Dr Kenneth Meshoe says in a statement: “That position is based on Biblical teaching and she should not be condemned for voicing her belief. We call on those who are calling for tolerance to also tolerate the opinions and beliefs of others who simply state what the Holy Bible says.”
He says that Pae’s short comment does not promote intolerance or hatred towards any individual and urges “sober thinking, tolerance and fairness”.
“The ACDP also calls on the University of Cape Town to protect this young lady from being harassed because of her religious beliefs,” he says.
Naidoo reports that the failure of UCT’s management to take actions “against those perpetrating the harassment and appalling criminal attacks against Zizipho Pae” and her suspension from the SRC because of her Biblical convictions is “blatant and outrageous anti-Christian discrimination!”.
Constitutional rights
He writes: “The SA Constitution protects Zizi’s right to free speech and expression. The Constitution also protects her freedom to express her religious beliefs and her right to articulate her thoughts and opinions.
“In 2009, UCT featured the most appalling blasphemy of the name of Jesus Christ in their annual ‘Sax Appeal’ charity magazine. When I challenged them, they defended the students responsible for the blasphemous outrage — by appealing to the ‘free speech’ protections in the constitution.
“Alarmingly, a Christian student at UCT expressing her Biblical beliefs on her personal Facebook page is not found worthy of similar “free speech” protections. In fact, she is being threatened with expulsion! Homosexual activists have called Zizi’s scholarship funders and demanded they stop supporting her.
“You and I must not remain silent in the face of this blatant and unfair anti-Christian discrimination at UCT. Christians have a right to believe God’s Word and express their beliefs without fear of attack!”
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Click to join movement
Naidoo says that if Pae is expelled from the SRC or from UCT, FPI will launch a legal defence of her religious rights and freedoms.
“If Zizi can be stripped of her rights — so can every Christian in SA!” he says.
So the heat is being turned up! What’s new? Are we prepared to stand for what we believe? But do we have His mind to know how to love the homosexual to Christ. If ISIS radicals can get saved after putting to death Christians whilst enjoying their acts, can not the most ardent, Christian hating homosexual? I agree with Kenneth Meshoe’s comment albeit unlikely from institutions that should promote healthy debate and never to silence any voice. The Bible categorically calls homosexuality a sin along with many others – all disqualifications for entering the Kingdom of God. How we share this truth with militant homosexuals, autocratically bent on forcing their totalitarian view on those that hold a view differing from theirs is important. We must not be phased. Nor should we back down. We must advance His Truth in Love. Keep speaking Kenneth Meshoe, Steve Swart, Cheryllyn Dudley & others – the Church needs your voice to be heard in parliament; keep speaking Zizipho Pae and campus students – give action to your faith – reach out to your fellow students, never cower back – let your light shine and let them know you are His disciples by your love. Persecution will come, but “rejoice and be exceedingly glad”. Keep your fellowship with Him constant. Having done all to stand, stand strong.
1 Thessalonians 4:10&11 comes to mind….for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, 11and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, 12so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.
There is far too much hype over same-sex marriage.Christians are entitled to have their own views/doctrines over this subject but we must not enforce our opinions onto others and so often its done in hatred and dislike towards the LGBTI community. I don’t feel sorry for people who speak out against LGBTI people, I feel sorry for the LGBTI people because actions like these just push them further and further away from the faith.LOVE ONE ANOTHER
Quote from Errol Naidoo’s newsletter on the over-reaction to Zizipho Pae’s very brief FB post:
“The backlash to her brief post went beyond irrational. Homosexual activists at UCT launched a vicious tirade of hate and intimidation against her that defies description. Ironically, the attackers demand tolerance.
“Homosexual pornography and the most depraved anti-Christian blasphemy was posted on her facebook page. She was also personally threatened, insulted and vilified in the most despicable ways.
“Her SRC office was trashed. Scriptures pinned on her office walls were ripped off and stomped on. Semi-naked homosexual activists photographed themselves in her office in lewd poses.”
So who is intolerant and bigoted? Who is forcing their opinions and lifestyle on the rest of society?
With much respect Petunia, I must say the following……if a Christian in any way attempts to force their beliefs on any individual, then stand up and protest this and I will join you. It is however, an age old accusation that we as Christians have endured…it seems….forever….this incident is case in point. A Christian mentions her opinion and is treated disgustingly….but your comment moves immediately to the age old accusation, instead of standing up for her in the face of extremely negative persecution. It is important to realise that this particular Christian, lives and breathes like any other and the treatment she has received is wrong…simple….whether you are a Christian or not, this cannot be denied.Stand up for her rights in the abscence of so many others doing so, who themselves scream for their rights to be respected….who scream for equality…but deny the same to someone who disagrees with them. It is also my opinion, that homosexual relations and marriage are wrong and therefore sinful. Do I have a right to believe this? Do I now also deserve this treatment? Have I ever attempted to enforce my beliefs on anyone? Of course not. This is my belief, not judgement on anyone. I will go so far as to say, that through Christ, I am more able to love others, particularly those who I find different to me and particularly those who are historically not loved by society, than those who do not know and love Christ. This love, quietly displayed, is a litmus test in determining a persons level of faith and relationship with Jesus but is largely ignored by non believers….instead we are told to keep our opinions to our selves and to LOVE ONE ANOTHER…while allowing the opinions of the LGBTI to in fact determine our lives and our thinking….can you not see the hypocrisy in this? By all means challenge a person who claims to be a Christian and who does not display love and again I will stand next to you but please…in an incident such as this, where the information clearly shows that she is a victim for stating an opinion, stand up for her publicly. I sincerely hope that you read my response as a loving response but also as a disagreement with your comment.I know and have worked with many homosexuals and have never been in any form of conflict with any of them even though my beliefs have been different to theirs. Not to judge the person but the sin is the Christian way. This is who we truly are and we should be acknowledged for this, not persecuted….blessings to you.
Petunia, I don’t know if you are a Christian. If you do claim to be a Christian, how is it that you side with those willfully living in sin and being downright abusive, over your family in the Lord, if you are a Christian that is.
I agree with David. I must admit the first thing that comes to mind is “Consider it pure joy……..”. Admittedly it is an example of blatant unfairness, but I used to tell my children when they were growing up, life is unfair. Admittedly it is against Zizipho basic human rights, but since when were we as Christians so anxious about individual rights. All around us people’s rights are being trampled on. The commuters in Gauteng for instance who are being prevented from boarding buses because the local taxis consider the recently vacated bus routes as theirs. By all means write to the authorities, but may I urge my fellow Christians to moderate their language.
It’s a strange world that we live in: Tolerance in demanded towards abortionists, homosexuals and Muslims (as well as members of any other non-Christian religion), while intolerance is demanded and expressed towards Christians. We have freedom of speech for everyone except the Christians, so that non-Christians are entitled to express whatever opinion they like, while Christians are not permitted to express their Biblical beliefs.
Today’s cowering Christians remind me of the fable of the frog in the pot of water; by the time that they wake up the water will be boiling and they will be dead! What has happened to the spirit of the Reformers who stood up to all for their faith?
So my Questions are: “If some 80% of South Africans are supposed to be Christians, why are these Christians allowing small minorities to use the “authorities” to drive us into submission?” and
“If 80% of South Africans are Christians, then most members of the ruling party must be Christians; so why don’t they bring political pressure to bear on the government?”
Or is it simply that most of this 80% are merely nominal Christians who are too scared to rock the boat by standing up for what they believe?
Or, don’t they have a clue what they believe or what God has to say about living in this world? I(n a survey done by a local seminary it was found that the majority of churchgoers are Biblically illiterate, relying on their ministers to read the Bible for them and so only being aware of what he feed them.)
You are right on Mike about Biblically illiterate. NEVER neglect Gods word. The LBGTI is intolerant to the mad extent of being blood thirsty to want nothing short of the death of the loving light bearers.
Try 2 Corinthians 1: 3-4. so as Daniel 11:32 tells us let us show Gods Truth in LOVE.
God bless.
Peter Throp. (Value life.)
Petunia Mkhizi. I am not sure where you get your idea from that Christians enforce their opinions on others? Zizipho didn’t do it either. Is putting a statement on your fb page enforcing a person’s opinions on others? I think all of us have a right to say what we feel convicted is right in our hearts. You will still regret it GREATLY that you feel sorry for the gays and lesbian community. Believe me, Christians are the MOST tolerant of people in this country. I have not seen the gays or lesbians tolerant of anyone, not in this country or any other country in the world. Yes, we must love them just like any other person who is living in sin. But we must show them the Light. We must tell them the Truth. People do not understand that this is not about who is right and who is wrong. It is about where all these people will land up at the end if they do not turn away from their sin. If we like it or not, the Lord has spoken clearly in His word about homosexuality as a sin. People who practice homosexuality will not go to heaven. period. Nor does gossippers, slanders, adulters, thieves etc etc. God says we are to share the Truth in and out of season… Let me share this scripture… 2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction.
3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day–and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing…..We must at all times embrace what God is and has taught us. Not what man is teaching.
Isaiah 5:20-24
Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter.
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.
Christians, STOP being apologetic and stand on THE TRUTH OF GODS WORD! There is no debate regarding this matter, TO TELL THE TRUTH IS TO LOVE PERIOD! Scripture is clear – believe it or not, but the Word of God is very unpopular in this world, and being an ambassador of the Kingdom of heaven, STAND THEREFORE! Persecution is guaranteed in this world…(John 16:33 & 2 Tim 3:12)
Rom 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Rom 1:25 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.
Rom 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
Rom 1:27 And 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.
PRAY FOR Zizipho Pae, rather than debate if what she said was appropriate! The battle is between the Kingdom of Light and the kingdom of darkness, decide which side you are living in and defend it with your life.
Amen to that,Madelyn the time has come,they only want to hear about their own disires,any pointing in the Right direction is hate in their eyes..may be? some guilt feeling ? Endure your hardship Zizipho, because Jesus loves you!!
May God help us born again Christians to stand our ground for the bible states “during the last days the love of many (for Christ)will grow cold….lets take your stand and not be lukewarm…..homosexuality is sin according to God’s word and I choose to stand on “the Spirit breathed word of the most high living God”. I urge all Christians to continue praying for homosexuals to see the light and come to Christ for they are dearly LOVED by God their creator who sacrifice His Son Jesus to die for their sins in exchange of eternal life. I support our dear sister Zizipho and assure her that her persecution is not in vain….”surely when the enemy comes as a flooD, God will RAISE the standard…….”
I wrote to the VC and the SRC President, but got no response from them. It also looks as though the emails they have been receiving are not having much impact because now this poor girl has been suspended. May God fight for her and raise up a standard against the enemy!
I feel that was done to her office was wrong the scripture that was trashed & ripped off, it is GOD’s Word!The same GOD that has laid the standards how we should live,it is written we should love thy neighbor,DEUT 5:17 you shall not murder!Now in the New Testament says “IF YOU HATE” you have already caused murder in your heart.I pray that our LORD JESUS CHRIST to intervene in this matter that the lost to be saved.
The government which is not Christian will pass laws that are abhorrent to Christians. Same sex marriage is one of them. However the response of the LGBT community shows that their fight is not about their rights but about abrogating the rights of heterosexuals. We are not allowed to think thoughts unless they are in line with theirs, we are not allowed to say or do that which is not agreeable to them. It is one thing for homosexuals to fight for their rights, and another to usurp another’s. THEY have declared war and now the heterosexuals have no option but to fight for their rights.
we need to as christians take a stand with the young lady,support her by signing a petition and or a christian march to uct,appeal to all christians and churches to show support ,suppert for her is for gods kingdom.if god be for me who can be against me
very sad. We need to pray for her during her difficult challenge but we also know that she will be abundantly blessed for her stand.