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Ebola virus: Liberia church leaders claim deadly outbreak is 'plague' sent by God for 'homosexualism' and 'immoral acts' Ebola virus: Liberia church leaders claim deadly outbreak is 'plague' sent by God for 'homosexualism' and 'immoral acts'
(35 minutes later)
Religious leaders in Liberia are claiming God has unleashed the deadly Ebola virus as a plague upon the country to punish “immoral acts” taking place there, such as homosexuality.Religious leaders in Liberia are claiming God has unleashed the deadly Ebola virus as a plague upon the country to punish “immoral acts” taking place there, such as homosexuality.
Various church leaders from the Liberia Council of Churches (LCC) reportedly attended a meeting on Wednesday to discuss "an spiritual response" to the outbreak of Ebola, which has claimed 932 lives across West Africa.Various church leaders from the Liberia Council of Churches (LCC) reportedly attended a meeting on Wednesday to discuss "an spiritual response" to the outbreak of Ebola, which has claimed 932 lives across West Africa.
According to The Daily Observer, church leaders at the meeting unanimously agreed that “God is angry with Liberia” and concluded Ebola has been sent “as a plague” on the country.According to The Daily Observer, church leaders at the meeting unanimously agreed that “God is angry with Liberia” and concluded Ebola has been sent “as a plague” on the country.
A statement detailing the resoloution summarised:“Liberians have to pray and seek God's forgiveness over the corruption and immoral acts (such as homosexualism, etc.) that continue to penetrate our society.A statement detailing the resoloution summarised:“Liberians have to pray and seek God's forgiveness over the corruption and immoral acts (such as homosexualism, etc.) that continue to penetrate our society.
“As Christians, we must repent and seek God's forgiveness.”“As Christians, we must repent and seek God's forgiveness.”
 
The LCC also apparently recommended Liberians stayed indoors for a three-day period of fasting and prayer which commenced on Wednesday.The LCC also apparently recommended Liberians stayed indoors for a three-day period of fasting and prayer which commenced on Wednesday.
The Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has declared a state of emergency in the country, warning that Liberia needs "extraordinary measures for the very survival of our state and for the protection of the lives of our people".The Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has declared a state of emergency in the country, warning that Liberia needs "extraordinary measures for the very survival of our state and for the protection of the lives of our people".
In a statement announcing the 90-day restriction on civil rights, she warned that "ignorance and poverty, as well as entrenched religious and cultural practices”, are continuing to exacerbate the spread of the disease.In a statement announcing the 90-day restriction on civil rights, she warned that "ignorance and poverty, as well as entrenched religious and cultural practices”, are continuing to exacerbate the spread of the disease.
Reports have emerged of families hiding sick relatives in their homes and bodies of victims being abandoned in streets, with many apparently feeling suspicious of isolation wards.Reports have emerged of families hiding sick relatives in their homes and bodies of victims being abandoned in streets, with many apparently feeling suspicious of isolation wards.
President Sirleaf said the state of emergency, which will include troops being deployed to quarantine badly hit communities, was necessary for "the very survival of our state and for the protection of the lives of our people".President Sirleaf said the state of emergency, which will include troops being deployed to quarantine badly hit communities, was necessary for "the very survival of our state and for the protection of the lives of our people".