I have been in WhatsApp groups where the conversation on the ban of Rafiki the movie heated up. I have been silent as I scrolled through hundreds of messages. I have seen many reactions, many ‘do not judge’ threads, many jargons and people trying to show their mastery in knowledge. Yes, it is true when they say, knowledge puffs up but wisdom matures.
Before I start expressing my views and standpoints let me first say that I have not watched the movie and I am not planning to watch it so do not expect of a review of the movie but according to what I get online, I believe the movie is not fit for Christian consumption.
About Rafiki the Movie
IMBD gives a small description of the movie and says,
“Good Kenyan girls become good Kenyan wives,” but Kena and Ziki long for something more. When love blossoms between them, the two girls will be forced to choose between happiness and safety.”
I then see an overlay trailer video of two girls kissing. Am tempted to click it and watch, but no, I don’t.
I read reviews of the movie and the Star has this to say about the movie
‘Rafiki’, meaning ‘Friend’, is a movie directed by Kenyan film director Wanuri Kahiu, she of the From a Whisper fame. It is the story of forbidden love and unfulfilled aspirations.
It revolves around a teenage lesbian affair between Ziki and Kena. Initially, the movie was banned in Kenya for “glorifying homosexual behaviour”. But after Wanuri went to court, Kenyans got a chance to see it.
The movie touches on religion, where we see the lovebirds attending a church service. When the preacher speaks about homosexuality, Kena is offended and walks out. I think she felt guilty, more so since her family member was in the congregation.
Another review from Citizen confirms that there are ‘mild’ scenes of the girls, Ziki and Kena making out. Well I do not know what mild to them is. Ian Omondi says:
“Anyway, I went into that theatre with the mindset drilled into most of us by Ezekiel Mutua, that there would be nude scenes in the film where the girls would go at each other all the way. One journalist from Lolwe TV even stated, during the panel discussion, that she expected to see the Kenyan version of Porn Hub.
Instead, what we got were a couple or so mild make-out scenes here and there. I did not think the film would blow me off my heels, because I consider myself a difficult man to impress, but it did.
That film was magnificently created and, if you haven’t watched it yet, I gladly urge you to buy a ticket now.”
While this conversation has stirred up in many Christian WhatsApp groups, I tend to think (as to what I have observed in the groups I am in) that there is more of personal opinion than what is in the scripture. Because of this let’s get to some Christian facts from the Scripture:
Is Homosexuality a sin?
Yes, it is. According to the scripture in Gen 19 we see men, both young and old from every part of the city of Sodom surrounded Lot’s house asking him that he should let them have sex with them.
Gen 19:4-5
Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom—both young and old—surrounded the house. 5 They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.”
We also see other texts in Leviticus condemning homosexuality.
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Leviticus 18:22
You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.
Leviticus 20:13
If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.
God’s wrath has been evident when sin increased in the world. He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of sexual sin and Paul says in Romans 1 that
24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their 10women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
And in Corinthians Paul writes that the sexually immoral will not inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
Yes, homosexuality is a sin and anyone who condones or approves of it is sinning too. Romans 1:32 says that “Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.”
How many churches so teach against homosexuality? How many openly speak on LGBTQIA? The acronym is growing day by day. The movement is airing out its views by increasing letters (people) to their acronym. Actually, the A at the end now means Allies. They are doing all that it takes to be heard. They are funding movies (I saw Ezekiel Mutua say that Rafiki was funded), they are doing marches and making it known that it is okay to be homosexual. But what about the Church? Where is our Stand?
Remember that the church is not the physical place but the church is me and you. What are you doing? Are you the one who is discouraging others who are in support of the ban? Are you the one who says these things are not new? They were there during the time of Abraham and therefore we cannot do anything? Are you not an ally of the LGBTQ? Do you see that you are represented in LGBTQIA if you do not openly take your stand?
Some Christians even openly advocate for the rights of the LGBT community. Here are some of the threads that I came across in the WhatsApp groups.
I have a question also why are we so concerned in burning our own movies while what its our televisions ina show the same
So, by not watching the movie, have we gotten rid of homosexuality?
I dont see the problem with the movie.
Homosexuality has been there since Abraham’s time. That’s like 1967 BC. Let’s stop pretending it’s a new thing. It’s not. Even in the African context, there was a king, sjui it was kabaka which one, who had sex with his male servants.
Homosexuality is a sin. Agreed.
So are the countless murders we have witnessed in this month.
So is corruption
And stealing.
And fornication
And lying.So, this is MY view. Homosexuality is wrong, as is other sins, and if we cannot condemn sins equally, then we’re missing the point. And banning one movie will not remove this evil from our society. But youre entitled to yours also
We must protect our values as a nation at all costs. But then again I feel KFCB is more reactive than responsive. For example I keep asking how did we get to this point of the movie being produced to completion? Wasn’t anyone aware and couldn’t anything have been done at the very initial stages?
Then we ban Rafiki. Then what? A vacuum is left of hungry viewers. Who will visit movie shops and still buy foreign movies with homosexual scenes. So what solutions are we offering these viewers? We must feed them with something else.
The ban is a good move but it is short term. The suppression can only survive up to a certain limit. We need to think long term.
Like now that we are against homosexual movie production what are we offering as a counter offer.just to see what the story is. I feel like there’s another story the dirctor is trying to tell other than the the lesbian thing
Come on, it’s just a film. How many films have you watched and they changed your values? If you stand for your values. You don’t have to worry. That’s why the movie is for adults, coz you make your own choices. Again your values make your character and character is who you are not what you are.
I was struck by this statement ‘Come on, it’s just a film. How many films have you watched and they changed your values? If you stand for your values. You don’t have to worry. That’s why the movie is for adults, coz you make your own choices. Again your values make your character and character is who you are not what you are.’
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The Eye
Matthew 6:22-23 says
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
Your eye consumes and the Bible says that it is the lamp to your body. I stopped watching movies because most of them have scenes that are contrary to my faith. Yes, I used to forward them but it reached a point where my spirit told me no. I stopped watching lots of violence, witchcraft and bad language because they do not build me. In short, I stopped watching movies and started looking for other constructive hobbies to engage in.
Well, you may find someone shouting ban! ban! ban! while he/she is a big fan of Game of Thrones. That’s hypocrisy.
Matthew 5:28 further states that
29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.
And David said in Psalms 119:37
Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.
David begged God to help him turn his eyes from looking at worthless things because worthless things bring darkness into our lives. So saying that one is an adult they have a stand makes no sense. We with our old age can be equally swayed when we consume what is not holy.
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Conclusion
Matthew 5:14 says we are the light of the world . 1 Peter 2:11-12 says that we should abstain from passions of the flesh, (yes that includes Game of Thrones!). Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us – 2 Tim 1:14. Do not argue from your own finite knowledge but use the Holy Spirit and scripture as your guide. Think, watch and consume whatever is pure, noble and right as per Philippians 4:8.
I found this statement in a website compellingtruth.org – “If Jesus was sitting next to me during this film, would I still be glad I was here?” Ephesians 5:15-16 says: 15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,16 making the most of every opportunity. Because the days are evil. The website asks another question, “If Jesus came back today, would I regret that I watched this film?”
There is a definition of sin I like, from these two people, I define sin and I live according to this guideline.
Anything that refreshes you without distracting you from diminishing or destroying your final goal is a legitimate pleasure. Any pleasure that jeopardizes the sacred right of another is an illicit pleasure. Any pleasure however good if not kept in balance will destroy reality or appetite.
-Ravi ZachariasWhatever weakens your reasoning impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God or takes away your relish of spiritual things. In short, anything that increases the authority of the flesh over the spirit, that in itself becomes sin however good it is.
– Susanna Wesley
I find this quote by Dietrich Bonhoeffer powerful
“ Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”
Remember:
And this is the most powerful message I came across today.
“If the Bible condemns who are you to condone…?”
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