June 30th, 2007: speech of the Governor General at the Konferensha Hende Hòmber (New Song Gospel Foundation)

Distinguished fellow men!

I see many different people here; some of you are old, others young, some healthy and others not so healthy, some happy, some sad, some skinny and others big, but what we have in common is that we are MEN.  What makes a man? What sets a man apart from boys, what makes him different from women?

What we have in common is testosterone.  We have about twenty times as much of this hormone as women.  It makes you strong and powerful, aggression is attributed to it, and it brings in you the passion and desire for a woman.

Is this a good thing?

It seems that testosterone gets men into trouble more than anything else.  It gives them the power to fight, and it is blamed for unbridled lust.  Why is it that our prison has 20 times as many men as women?  Why is it, that most violent crimes are committed by men?  Think about it, what gets you into trouble? Sex and power… or not? 

But is it bad? Could you say now, sorry, its not me, it’s the testosterone, because it’s bad?  My hormones made me do it!

In the beginning God created mankind in His own image, male and female.  God made men, and God made testosterone.  To be a man, and to have testosterone is good.  It is God’s plan.  So don’t blame your actions on the hormones…

What gets men into trouble is uncontrolled maleness and impulsivity. Then they are more like the testosterone driven gorilla, the horse or the dog.   We have testosterone in common with animals but how are we different?  We are made in the image of God.  We are spiritual beings.  We can connect with God and by His spirit have selfcontrol! Because we have been made in the image of God, we can be more than animals, have more than unbridled passion and aggression.  We can be strong ànd gentle, powerful ànd meek, firm ànd kind! Strength and power, without tenderness, give us the brute. Tenderness and compassion without masculine firmness and aggressiveness produce a male without the fire to lead or inspire others.  We need to be both strong and good.

Testosterone, maleness is good, if guided by the Creator!  We can use the fighting-attitude to deal with evil powers, to resist oppression and to stand against injustice.  God did not design aggression to fight people, be it your wife or your fellow man. No, it is for you to be strong and to do good with passion… to fight for justice and freedom and to protect your family, your community and our nation. 

Testosterone is good and needed to raise a family.  But keep it in the boundaries of marriage.  Have fun with your wife, but only with her!  To be a passionate man is good, but only if you have self control.

Testosterone is good and powerful when guided by wisdom.  Would you give a chainsaw or a gun in the hands of an uncontrolled person?  Ofcourse not!  So should it also be with you.  Be guided by wisdom.  Don’t be a testosterone-driven animal, be a God-guided man.  The power to control your urges is available through the Spirit of God.  God made you a man of strength, power and passion.  His spirit can make you even better: a man with goodness and faithfulness.

Provide for your wife, protect your wife, care for her, be strong and kind, be passionate yet peaceloving.  Keep your promises.  Love her.  Allow her to be your equal partner.  Complement each other.  Be a team!

Not only must you be a good man, but also, when testosterone does its work, a good father.  Not only are you to be a man made in the image of God, but also a father in the image of God.

Be the kind of father that is present and available.  Deliberately choose to spend time with your children.  That way you can be a guide and counselor.  Be aware of what goes on in the lives of your children, so that you can protect them.  Do your work well, so that you can provide for your family.  Make sure your children are healthy and free.  Teach and encourage your children, teach them discipline.  Help them with their homework, walk with them, play sports with them.  Be a good shephard for them, lead them “beside quiet waters, and on paths of righteousness”.  Even though they go through hard times, “the shadow of the valley of death”, they will fear no evil, for you are with them.

Then you will be a good rolemodel for your children.  Because children won’t do what you say, they will do what you do.  Then your sons will be good men as well. How are your wife and children going to look back at your funeral? Are they going to say, "He was a cruel, hard taskmaster"?  Or he was just not there… Or are they going to say, "He poured everything into our lives

Then you will also be a role model to your friends.  Then you will truly be “the salt of the earth”, the very substance that prevents corruption and rottenness.  The ingredient in our society that keeps us fresh and palatable.

A true macho is powerful in body, but also in spirit.  A true macho is a man made by God, in His image.

Be strong and be good!