HATE or TERRORISM

KAYODE GOMES speaks on the ALARMING KILLING/PERSECUTION of MINORITIES with an EXCLUSIVE STATEMENT by PRESIDENT OBAMA on the tragic shooting that took place in Orlando, Florida.USA.

It is no longer news that about 50 innocent people were killed with 53 wounded in Orlando, Florida, USA on June 12^th , 2016 which is the worst mass shooting in U.S history. An attack carried out by a homophobic Islamic extremist. The incident took place at the first premiered gay club in Florida. The terrorist is said to have Anti-gay attitude (homophobic) which is very common around the world. Being homophobic develops into hatred which gradually makes the individuals become judgmental, support and commit murder.

Why hate? Most times we use religion to cover up our ignorance; Personally, I’m yet to find out where in the Holy Books (Bible, Quran and Others) mentioned that people should be judged or killed based on their Sexual orientation or Gender identity. And which religion supports being judgmental or being a murderer? We obviously need to start having a re-think on how we handle issues regarding sexual orientation and gender identity; maybe we should study more, have open minds, and accept people the way they are and basically mind our business and focus on our own life. Ask yourself if you are in right standing with God before you judge others. LGBT persons are not aliens, they are human being, they are not threat to anyone, neither are they threat to any nation nor evil to any religion. Like I always say, they are well represented in every family. So next time when throwing stones or when you feel hatred for someone because of his sexual orientation or gender identity; check yourself, you might just hit or hate your own.

The incident in Orlando is recorded the worse in the history of U.S but similar to the everyday situation innocent victims face in Africa at large. Some groups of people just rise up in the name of religion killing innocent souls for no reasonable reason. They kill and persecute people because of their religious believes, homophobic nature, hypocrisy and ignorance. Some use derogatory words, stigmatize and discriminate against others because they think “they are perfect”.

It is only natural for people to want to live their lives in a certain way or identify as whatever they like or comfortable with. Let’s stop supporting or promoting persecution and killing of innocent souls. Stop the stigma and discrimination. Hate is against Human Rights and No religion supports Hate or Terrorism.

*Edited*** On 12^th June 2016, President Obama delivered a statement on the tragic shooting that took place overnight in Orlando, Florida.

"Today, as Americans, we grieve the brutal murder -- a horrific massacre -- of dozens of innocent people. We pray for their families, who are grasping for answers with broken hearts. We stand with the people of Orlando, who have endured a terrible attack on their city. Although it is still early in the investigation, we know enough to say that this was an act of terror and act of hate. And as Americans, we are united in our grief, our outrage and our resolve to defend our people.

"This is an especially heartbreaking day for all our friends -- our fellow Americans -- who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. The shooter targeted a nightclub where people came together to be with friends, to dance and sing-to live. The place where they were attacked is more than a nightclub -- it's a place of solidarity and empowerment where people have long come together to raise awareness, speak their mind and advocate for their civil rights. So this is a sobering reminder that attacks on any American -- regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation -- is an attack on all of us and on the fundamental values of equality and dignity that define us as a country. And no act of hate or terror will ever change who we are or the values that make us Americans.

"Today marks the most deadly shooting in American history. The shooter was apparently armed with a handgun and a powerful assault rifle. This massacre is therefore a further reminder of how easy it is for someone to get their hands on a weapon that lets them shoot people in a school, or a house of worship, or a movie theater, or in a nightclub. We have to decide if that's the kind of country we want to be. And to actively do nothing -- that's a decision, too.

"In the coming hours and days, we'll learn about the victims of this tragedy. Their names. Their faces. The joy they brought to families and friends. The difference they made in this world. Say a prayer for them and their families -- that God give them the strength to bear the unbearable. That He give all of us the strength to be there for them, and the courage to change. We need to demonstrate that we are defined more - as a country -- by the way they lived their lives, than by the hate of the man who took them from us.

"As we go forward together, we'll draw inspiration from heroic and selfless acts -- friends who helped friends, took care of each other and saved lives. In the face of hate and violence, we will love another. We will not give in to fear or turn on each other. Instead, we will stand together, united, as Americans, to protect our people, defend our nation and take action against those who threaten us.

"May God bless the Americans we lost this Morning. May He comfort their Families. And may God continue to watch over this country we love."