Government Prepares To Tackle Transgender, Other Sexuality Concerns

According to the Gleaner this came forth, sadly talk show hosts such as Joan Williams of POWER 106FM instead of trying to understand the issues sought to confuse the issue locally with that of the bathroom law matter in the United States; she claimed that she will not tolerate a man in women's clothes in a bathroom. Just goes to show the ignorance we have to overcome or deliberate baiting to gain ratings for her show.

Callers tried to also frame the hint shown below that this is pressure from the US to issue gay rights, I am so annoyed at how ignorant we are in an information age, when all one has to do is ask.

But of course Clovis of the Jamaica Observer could not help himself with this toon:

I have stopped applauding announcements these days so Now the article:

The Jamaica Government is preparing itself to adequately address emerging concerns related to gender identification and other issues tied to sexuality.

In fact, legal battles in the United States, where school officials are grappling with confusion and consternation over whether transgender individuals should be allowed to use rest rooms that match their gender identity instead of their birth sex have not missed Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, minister of entertainment, sport, culture, and gender affairs.

"The ministry is aware that there are new issues emerging and we are going to have to address these things," Grange told The Gleaner following the launch of Workers' Week and Labour Day.

"We are going to have to respond when there is a need to respond, and we are going to have to be that voice or that base that will provide an avenue to deal with these matters amicably."

She added: "That is one reason we have actually changed the name of the Bureau of Women's Affairs to the Bureau of Gender Affairs. We know that there are various discussions taking place and we want to be there to address both female and male, particularly our boys. They have been marginalised, especially as it relates to issues regarding their masculinity."

PANEL DISCUSSION

Meanwhile, Minister of Labour and Social Security Shahine Robinson was hesitant to speak on the matter, but acknowledged that specific issues of sexuality are new areas of concern in the workplace.

It is for this reason that the ministry will be hosting a panel discussion under the theme 'Work for Human Development, New Realities of the World of Work in Jamaica' on May 18.

The event is to coincide with the observance of Workers' Week.

"We recognise that Jamaica is no different from the rest of the world because these things are happening here. I don't want to say too much about what will be happening at the forum, but there are some realities we will have to put on the table to see how best we can arrive at amicable solutions," Robinson said.

She continued: "Human trafficking is also something that we plan to address because it is so subtle and you find that people unwittingly get involved. We want to pay more attention and heighten the awareness on these issues."

SHOWING RESPECT

Grange implored Jamaicans to show respect to every individual they encounter, despite that person's beliefs, opinions, and background.

"I think these are all human rights issues and every individual is entitled to the freedom and rights enshrined in the Constitution. They should not be treated any differently, but be able to live normal lives to the extent they are able to conduct themselves within the norms of society," she insisted.

"We will encourage society to respect every individual and each other's privacy and personal use. Respect has to underscore everything we do."

ENDS

I hope this is not one of those tokenistic gestures to avoid scrutiny and diplomatic pressure as a pre-cursor to the referred to referendum on buggery by the administration.

Previous announcements of aspirations that have not materialized:

Government of Jamaica Committed to the Eradication of Gender Based Violence 

Gov't Makes International Commitment To Reduce Violence Against Women, Gays 2015 

Peace & tolerance

H

Bahamas PM says no to same sex marriage

Sounds so familiar eh? oh boi these Caribbean leaders and holding on to outdated so called traditional values.

NASSAU, Bahamas (CMC) — Prime Minister Perry Christie says the proposed referendum to amend the constitution will not allow for same sex marriages to become legal in the Bahamas.

Christie launched the YES Bahamas Campaign “Equal Rights for our Sons and Daughters” on Sunday, telling his audience that the Bahamas will only recognise marriage as being between a man and a woman.

The referendum will be held on June 7.

Observer's cartoonist Clovis took a swipe at the matter 

“I repeat: this referendum will not cause same-sex marriage to become legal in the Bahamas. Marriage in the Bahamas will be legal only if it is between a man and a woman, and male and female are determined at birth,” he said.

“I am so emphatic because it is so important for Bahamians to vote on what is really at stake – equal rights for our sons and daughters – and not let false rumours or incorrect information hold sway.

“This referendum does not seek to change Bahamian society or our traditional values – instead it seeks to change the Constitution so that it more clearly reflects those values, and our shared belief in fairness.”

Prime Minister Christie said that the YES Bahamas Campaign will be relying on Bahamians, young and old, for their creativity and enthusiasm, visiting each of our islands, and providing information to Bahamians on each of the amendments.

He said that the Constitutional Commission will continue a very intense schedule of information sessions leading up to the June 7 referendum, adding in carrying out its work, the Commission will continue to operate independently and with neutrality.

“Its job is to educate not to advocate for a Yes or No vote,” he added.

Prime Minister Christie said that the referendum was necessary to change the 1973 Constitution, which prevented Parliament from passing laws which would discriminate based on race or creed or place of origin.

But he said that the framers of the Constitution “did not include sex, that is, they did not insert any language in the Constitution which would prevent Parliament from passing laws which discriminate against men or women.

“This referendum is simply about bringing our Constitution up to date to reflect our shared values as a society. Men and women will always be different, and no law or change to the Constitution could or should ever change that – in fact, we celebrate our differences – but we do believe that as citizens who share the same responsibilities, the time has come for men and women, our sons and daughters, to share the same rights.”

Pro-Bain Protesters To Meet With UWI Today

As the Bain train rolls on the cemented feelings of the lobby becoming bullies is also a concern for me as evidenced in the obviously organised talk show circuit raid of sorts where every show has some callers commenting on the issue occupying air time. Letter writers and commentators are on a roll but the essence of the matter which is the conflict of interest has turned into something else aided and abetted by some clever folks who present themselves as Christians but seem to operate as something else in actuality.

also see: REVEREND AL MILLER’S OWN MORAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST & ANTI GAY CAMPAIGN

The Gleaner reported today

Children's Advocate Betty-Ann Blaine (second right) and other protesters stand in front of the UWI Mona campus in support of Professor Brendan Bain who was fired from his post at the campus. - Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer

KINGSTON, Jamaica:
There is a glimmer of hope of a breakthrough in the impasse between the administration of the University of the West Indies (UWI) and protesters who continue to stand their ground over the dismissal of Professor Brendan Bain as the director of the Caribbean HIV/AIDS Regional Training (CHART) Network.

A small group drawn from the persistent protesters is scheduled to meet today with Nigel Harris, the vice chancellor of the UWI.

Word also emerged that a group from the donor agencies had expressed a desire to address the protesters today.

Under bleak skies, the protesters, clad in customary black for the occasion and mouth taped as a symbol of the loss of free speech, continued to demonstrate
The team, who will be making a presentation to Harris, is to be led by chairman of the Jamaica Coalition for Healthy Society Dr Wayne West.

He warned that while they were prepared to meet with anyone who wishes to engage them, there would be no compromising of the position adopted by the protesters.

The signs that the tempo or energy of the protesters have not waned when Kimberley McKinson, came to the gate of the UWI with her two-month-old baby and marched to the beat of the other protesters.

It’s always been dubbed a silent protest and the lips of the participants have been symbolically taped to highlight the perceived loss of free speech.

But there are indications that the symbolic silence could be broken today.

Since the start of the protest three weeks ago, UWI administrators appeared to have retreated behind its walls as the protester continued what is considered to be one of the longest protest in Jamaica’s modern history.

The curious symphony of noise created by the variety of motor vehicle horns that were honked in solidarity with the protesters continued to interrupt the silence that prevailed at the entrance to the university in normal times.

They continued to be led by from the range of churches and other civic organisations, but individuals have been joining the efforts on the work days when Jamaicans are forced to make sacrifice.

ENDS

Here is my audio post on the matter:

Gay Marriage Smoke Screen, False Dichotomies and Religious Fanatics 05.06.14 

Also see

Buggery could dominate review of sex laws (Observer) posted today

When did anyone ask for gay marriage rights in Jamaica when we can't get basic tolerance ......... more smokescreen

More gay marriage paranoia & hijacking of the homosexual debate by fanatics

Opposition Leader sides with antigay groups on Referendum on The Buggery Law

Youth Minister Lisa Hanna's conflation of same gender sex & abuse responded to

Foreign Affairs Minister says Govt should be cautious on gay rights issues in Jamaica

Promised Conscience Vote on Buggery in Jamaica was a fluke, Sexual Offences Bill to be updated 2014 says justice minister

Promised (I mean suggested) Conscience vote on Buggery law not a priority right now (yet again) says Prime Minister

PNP's Damion Crawford on Homosexuality's legality . 

Bandooloo Logic From Pro-Gay Gleaner(Gleaner Letter) to which I responded (pending approval)

I support Bain's dismissal(Observer Letter)

Espeut: Endgame - Politico-Sexual Chess

Today's Observer cartoon makes an interesting observation

Politics again at work we should remember that under former PM PJ Patterson's watch, the subsequent removal of the sexual orientation discrimination from the charter of rights draft in 1999 (see above draft p 27/28), post the JFLAG parliamentary submission the removal was aided and abetted by anti gay voices namely Shirley Richards and Reverend Al Miller. Also see Parliamentary Committee struggles to define sexual intercourse which was the other deceptive shenanigans used by the anti gay groups and individuals to supposedly deny future gay marriage rights.

also see: Former Prime Minister PJ Patterson’s call for tolerance not genuine & sheer hypocrisy

Another Clovis toon from the Observer that hits the nail on the head in as far as the church (or sections of it) and the PNP on certain issues (I will ignore the gay stereotype character for now)

Peace and tolerance as we watch this go down.

UPDATE June 7 2014

Stop Gagging Truth - UWI Gets DVD On 'Sex, Lies And Rights

headline in June 7's Gleaner take note that even babies are being taken to these things, what a way to poison the minds of the young already with hate?

Read the rest HERE and also see Oh really! ............ Penile/anal penetration is NOT SEX Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society? and Anti Gay Religious group launches pro buggery law DVD 2013 take note that in the latter Queen Ifrica crossed over to the dark side post the furore over her Independence Day 2013 heterosexist rant at the Grand Gala.

H

A sad day - Reggae industry reacts to Buju’s guilty verdict ..... gay activists not responsible

Well the Observer Clovis cartoon kinda hits the nail on the head to the hypocrisy of it all and the perceptions of Jamaicans on this case and others bearing in mind the gay activists are getting the blame for Mr. Myrie's legal problems:

The Jamaica Observer published that A pall seemed to have been cast over members of the reggae industry following the guilty verdict handed down by the jurors in the trial of Buju Banton.
Everyone at the Observer intimated their disappointment with the outcome of the second trial of the Grammy-winning reggae artiste. Buju's former manager and producer, Donovan Germain of Penthouse Records was so distraught by the news that he opted not to comment, noting, "I can't talk to you right now, I am too messed up to think."

In the meantime, social network sites, Facebook and Twitter in particular, have been abuzz even before the verdict was handed down. On Facebook, one Buju Banton fan from Barbados noted that the verdict was indeed "sour", adding that "everyone feel for him". She said a number of radio stations in Barbados were showing solidarity with the Jamaican artiste and playing his music.
Fellow artiste and Buju's close friend, Wayne Wonder also took to Facebook. Wonder urged, "Lets all keep the prayers going for Mark, we all have to stay strong and stand by him!"

Only last week the entertainment fraternity had their hopes lifted, as on February 13 -- one day before the start of this, his second trial --Buju won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album for the project, Before the Dawn. Many saw this as good fortune for the artiste who had been plagued by tour cancellations to support his previous release, Rasta Got Soul. Buju Banton reacted to the win at the Grammys by noting how honoured he was, adding that it meant that his music has transcended a lot of borders and people are now paying attention to what he has to say.

The Observer sought comments from a number of players in the music industry to the verdict as handed down in the Florida courtroom.

George Nooks, Recording artiste - “It’s sad, I’m sad. It’s a sad day in reggae, period. Honestly, I’m struggling to come to grips with the verdict. I was holding out hope that Buju would have been set free... Can’t say I was expecting this at all; just want to encourage Buju to stay strong. He said it best in his song, It’s Not an Easy Road.

Nadine Sutherland, Recording artiste - “I wish that the verdict was different, I am gutted at this time. I am pleased though to have seen throughout his ordeal the love and the support he received from the Jamaican people.”

Richie B, Radio disc jock — Hot 102 FM - “The verdict is simply heart-wrenching. All I am remembering is the conversation I had with Buju in Florida at the Before the Dawn concert. He was so confident and it gave me a sense of hope for the outcome, so it is hard to deal with this very sad, upsetting verdict. I would encourage Buju and his team to appeal this decision in order to arrive at a better result.”

Dr Sonjah Stanley-Niaah, Lecturer in Cultural Studies — UWI - “This is indeed a sad day for the music, Buju, his family, friends and fans worldwide, and leaves me very introspective at this time. It should also be seen as a wake-up call for those who are not one the straight and narrow, as well as for artistes to constantly assess their craft. I am confident, however, that Buju will use this time to reflect and trust that his lawyers will put together an appeal that will allow us to look with hope to a rising sun.”

Clinton Lindsay, Foundation Radio Network - “I was in the last minutes of my show when I got the news, tears immediately came to my eyes. I just can’t believe it went that way. From all the reports I was getting, it seemed things were looking good in his direction... I am just too shocked right now. I really feel bad for Buju, his family and his many, many fans. I am praying that the judge will have mercy and be lenient when passing down sentence. I wish Buju the best and that he gains strength and does not lose faith, it’s truly a sad day for many of us.”

Bobby Clarke Irie Jam Radio, New York - “Nothing can describe the feeling of despair that came over New York when the heart-breaking news of the verdict came in. We are now in a state of absolute shock and dismay. Injustice, corruption, bias, and evil has won today... the oppressor and the darkness they push has claimed victory, but only for today. We will cry today, we will be overcome by deep sorrow today, but only for today. We will stand beside our fallen soldier, he is a hero in our eyes no matter the verdict. We will rise as a people and as a country. We shall never be defeated by evil, they will not win. Buju, we salute you.”

Lady G Recording, artiste - “I’m so disappointed and I am still praying. I am still in shock, I can’t think of anything more to say right now.”

ENDS

Notes:

The perception that the gay community is responsible for all of Buju Banton's woes during this trial are not true and are unfounded, he got himself in his own mess. Also see sister Blog Gay Jamaica Watch's take on the verdict and more. There has always been a cloud even from the entertainement industry from the get go when Buju "converted" to Rastafari and to see the reactions of sorts from the industry most of who were quiet in the beginning looks so loaded with hypocrisy. A section of the public too though small maybe had also had doubts as to whether Buju was indeed involved in drugs quietly hence the cartoon depiction from Clovis above, somethings just don't add up.

See: Dancehall mum from Buju's woes began on GJW

Cock Mouth Kill Cock? maybe so as he (Buju) was reported to have said to the informant (unaware to Buju at the time) "You have given me the opportunity to make myself again," Buju said to Johnson in an audio recording.

He complained to the informant that he did not make any money on his last tour and that gay-rights organisation, The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, "is trying to run me under."

So maybe he wanted an alternate form of income seeing he wasn't getting anywhere far via the music sales and concerts.

Have a look at the transcript of the conversation between Buju and the informant and also the other party at the time.

View PDF file here: http://www.tampabay.com/specials/2010/PDFs/banton.pdf

I am sure there is more to come as the sentencing and appeals process is expected to take three months or so.

Peace and tolerance

H

Blaine will be her own victim (Observer Letter 11.08.10) .........

Since the launch of The New Nation Coalition another party possibly the sixth or seventh political party launched overall in Jamaica's political history, I stand corrected, former talk show host and the founder and former head of Hear The Children's Cry a children's rights group a position she has relinquished as she says she wants no conflict of interest in her new political vein, she has come in for some scaving criticisms.

She has not escaped that from this blog but only in as far as her pronouncements and borderline theocratic views on homosexuality and her supposed fears and warnings of the "homosexual lobby" in Jamaica. The infamous Observer article she penned in 2007 of which the online version is not available but I found a print copy an excerpt of which can be seen on Gay Jamaica Watch.

here are some of the newspaper cartoons predominantly from Lasmay of the Gleaner that depict the perceptions of Miss Blaine's new found revolve in politics but given the fate of previous new political parties there are those who already predict doom as seen in the letter excerpted below from the Jamaica Observer.

Dear Editor,

Now that Mrs Betty-Ann Blaine has launched her own political party, Jamaica will get a good demonstration of what talk-show-hosts-turned-politicians should not do.

The problem with talk-show hosts is that when they decide to go into politics, the public would have had a pretty good idea of what they are planning to do. Unfortunately for Mrs Blaine, her public utterances on her show before launching her party might have already sealed her doom.

First, she claims that God will be at the forefront of her political agenda. Now, whenever I hear politicians talk about God being in charge, it's just their way of conceding that they really don't have the solutions to solve our problems. I wouldn't want to be led by a leader who doesn't even know where to start.

Remember her no-vote campaign a few years ago? Ms Blaine thought that people shouldn't vote, as we don't have leaders who care. She was one of the chief architects of the cynicism that currently prevails in regard to people voting for politicians. What makes her think that people are going to treat her any different is a mystery to me, especially after this U-turn.

Though never a fan, I distinctly remember hearing Mrs Blaine saying a lot of things while on air. One such was her call some time ago for a police state and the curtailing of some of our rights to deal with our out-of-control crime crisis. Imagine if she were to become prime minister!

Mrs Blaine also strikes me as one who puts too much faith in her Bible. Every time I hear her on radio, she would proudly proclaim that God is in control. Yet almost immediately, she would curse the current state of affairs. Now, if God is in control, why is she complaining?

When she joined the United People's Party (now defunct), she did so under God's guidance. Shortly after that, she left, claiming that God told her that the time was not right. Now she has gone back into politics again, claiming once more that it is God's calling. Why do these people take such great pleasure in making their God look like an idiot?

Anyway, Mrs Blaine will soon get a well-rehearsed lesson in failed third parties. I am at a total loss as to why she would come to the crazy idea that her party will succeed, especially after her stint as a talk-show host.

Michael A Dingwall

Kingston
michael_a_dingwall@hotmail.com

The Rastafarian captioned is also one of the many independent runners in our political history known simply as Ras Astor Black who has gotten very little support a fate that has come to many new parties under our rigid two party system.

I eagerly await the New Nation Coalition's position on the buggery law and or decriminalizing same and by extension homosexuality even though she has hinted all are welcomed under the party's new mantra of christian principles.

We watch and wait.

Peace and tolerance

H

"Not in My Cabinet" but we protect dons by legal semantics, we give away your national airline, oh no JLP

All the major newspapers have been taking a swipe at the Jamaica Labour Party administration for its stance on the Dudus issue finding so called justified reasons not to honour an extradition request from the United States and then the gunfire that erupted in Hannah Town yesterday following the said gentleman's birthday bash see: Hell breaks loose in West Kingston from the Jamaica Observer (cartooned below centre.)
It was so easy for the Prime Minister to brush off any idea of entertaining the GLBTQ issues and that infamous BBC appearance where he categorically said he would have no known gays knowingly in his cabinet although they are there. On the mantra of fairness, rights and justice for all Jamaicans the Jamaica Labour Party campaigned in 2007's general election and barely won by a slim majority but as we have seen it was all talk and no backing action. Sadly the JLP is loosing the fight on the ground as the Dudus issue heats up one wonders if yesterday's encounter the police had in West Kingston was an attempt to find Dudus as the cops said they were looking for wanted men, three men died and three cops were shot and injured.

A good percentage of the public like myself are left in a daze as the legal luminaries, commentators and leaks to so called friendly press pushes the debate as to the PM's stance on not extraditing Dudus because the US allegedly broke the law by obtaining evidence in the form of wiring tapping the don's phone. Above are some of the cartoons that have been blistering in their shots at the PM and his ministers.

also see:
Where 'Dudus' Coke meets Transparency International
Let 'Dudus' have his day in court - Part 2

'Dudus defence'

Air J in the meantime:
One wonders if they will ever live down the so called divestment of Air Jamaica which on the face of it turned out to be a lie as the recent statements by the Trinidadian Transport Minister where he indicted that Caribbean Airlines was only interested in Air J's profitable routes and as to the staff at Air J who knows what will become of them.

Well he may have conveniently swept the gay issue under the carpet for now but certainly other issues have arisen let's see how it plays out, a second term looks unlikely. The gay issues are not going away anytime soon.

Peace and tolerance

H

Possible for a man to be Raped?

Today's Gleaner Cartoon
The laughing kid says it all, people just don't expect in Jamaica to hear of a man being raped by a woman, probably a man though. There is a story of a taxi driver in Central Jamaica now known as "Roundhole" who was attacked at home with his wife present several years ago by gunmen it is said that he was almost sodomised by two of the men who tried but failed.

He tried reporting the matter to the police who laughed at him in disbelief as he was crying and shamed by the incident, if there is any truth to it I am not sure but the other taxi drivers teased him mercilessly whenever he came on the streets, it took him a while to restart his taxi service, even today as he traverse the routes he services you can still hear the occasional taunt "Roundhole" hurled at him.

UPDATE May 26, 2011

Since this original post in 2009 another story this time of more clandestine homosexuality was reported in 2010 and published on my sister blog on Wordpress:

The Incident in question in summary based on reported accounts, the young man is in hiding.

The 23 year old man plies his rented handcart in a section of the market district and usually returns to his small shack which sits in a depressed section across volatile political boundaries in Kingston. On a faithful Saturday in August of this year he returned his rented cart that he uses in the market district to ply his trade of assisting shoppers to carry produce and organic food items to the bus-stop or car park for a nominal fee, on his way home by foot around 7:30 pm he took a route that he regularly takes to get home, bearing in mind that as early as this time is some parts of Kingston can be very lonely and given the absence of the main don who is away on trial in another country “the order” of things has changed.

There is a fight as it seems for turf and power in the market region which has not escalated to violence due to the strong police presence there and the local authorities push to bring formal order.

The man was approached by three men who questioned him, he answered them telling them what he had done etc thinking he would be OK as it was not customary to abuse anyone in the imaginary safety line of that zone as drawn by the dons. He was robbed allegedly at gunpoint and told to go to nearby bushes where they would decide his fate. The men however at first asked him if him “love man?” somewhere during the conversation although my sources suggest he is not effeminate of looks so either. They eventually attempted to take turns with him at gun point and to carry out anal sex but he resisted as best as he could, the men told him that they were not going to kill him they wanted some “batty” for the night. The ordeal was said to have gone on for almost an hour and after several attempts in trying to penetrate him they gave up it seems and demanded he performed oral sex on them and that he did reluctantly.

The sexual abuse ended but what allegedly happened next is what really sparked this post, the men while smoking marijuana sat and discussed their sexual encounters with other men and their ways of hiding their real sexual desires from their baby mothers and female sexual partners, they tried to enlist the participation of their “victim” in the post sex discussion but he barely answered when prompted to as he was said to have felt bad.

They proceeded to warn him that he must make himself available when they need him and he must keep it quiet, they even asked if he knew other men around the area who may get down (my words)? One of the men in particular was very upset at men who engaged in paedophilia and says he doesn’t like boys as they are too young.

ENDS (updates may follow)

THE MATTER WAS NOT REPORTED TO THE POLICE

Judging by this synopsis we do have thugs who really want to get down but some questions come to mind and I am not an expert so let’s discuss this please send responses or comment if you have such expertise.

Email just in case: lgbtevent@gmail.com

1. Are there men who really want to hit it but due to societal pressure they are prepared to steal it instead?
2. It is a case of abuse due to the power differential of the men in not only numbers but the fact that they are armed?
3. Did you think they surmise that the young man may have been inclined so they didn’t harm him?
4. How should the advocates handle issues like this?
5. Do you think the issue of clandestine homosexual behaviour should be a main discussion point in presenting arguments for gay rights or tolerance?
6. Can this also be categorized as homophobia in a way?

read the rest HERE

Well some humour for a serious subject which I will follow up on soon, expert opinions welcomed.

H

Ernest Gets a Spankin ........

Handle on Crime, Really?

Handle on crime indeed and people having to flee their homes because some dons are upset at a police raid in thier area, hmph handle on what former Commissioner now Minister of National Security, Trevor Macmillan?

Check out yesterday's Star Headline.............sad

LEAVE NOW OR DIE St Catherine: Almost 200 residents of Gravel Heights, St Catherine, fled their homes yesterday after they were labelled as informers and ordered to leave the area by gunmen.

A policeman watches as these residents move their belongings from Gravel Heights, St Catherine, following a warning by gunmen yesterday (Sunday)

Handle on crime eh???

hellooooo....Jamaica today is really sad

Clovis, cartoonist from the Jamaica Observer seems to be the only one who can sum it all up but seems to have forgotten the homophobia and abuse of LGBT Jamaicans on these pieces (above).

Confusing justice with righteousness (Observer Letter 29.10.08)

wait a minute who does Rev Al Miller thinks he is? In the same breath read this letter to the editor in the Gleaner.

Confusing justice with righteousness

published: Wednesday October 29, 2008

The Editor, Sir:
I write this letter in reaction to the letter submitted by Lucius C. White on Saturday, 25th of October. Mr White asserted that Christianity and the Jamaican legal system should be considered as one. This argument is laughable and needs to be addressed.

The notion of a legal system so heavily based on a religion is ill-thoughtout. Such a system is constantly at risk of confusing justice with religious righteousness. Thus, the legal system suggested by Mr White is radically dangerous to a democratic state such as Jamaica. This is evident as Mr White states: "Christians are instructed to obey the laws of the land; however, if those laws conflict with Christian teachings, they should obey the teachings of Christ." Mr White's tone is authoritative and ignorant as well as inducing anarchy.

Mr White suggests his obviously devout interpretation of Christianity as a greater law than the one proposed by a democratically elected government. Such 'interpretation' of religion is clearly dangerous to the general population of a country. This was shown recently in the Indian state of Orissa where Hindu radicals, who held their interpretation of religion over the state's law, slaughtered Christian citizens. This crime was committed in a state where the constitution also 'makes provisions for the accommodation of all other religions'. In this instance, utter devotion to religion has confused justice: the same devotion suggested by Mr White.

Radical devotion
The audacity and radical devotion to his religion is apparent within the wording of his letter. He states: "The Christian teachings encompass several very important doctrines". The sentence holds within it an intolerance which is exhibited as Mr White attaches the word 'the' to Christian teachings. Surely, he has no grounds to state that his interpretation of Christianity is ultimate and absolute, as implied by the 'the' he attaches to it.
The perilous attitude apparent in the wording of his letter is once more present in his final paragraph: "We must stand firm in our opposition to the legislation of abortion and homosexuality in our society because both practices are contrary to our Christian teachings and culture."

Not only does this comment seem to legitimise murders carried out by the public due to personal decisions of victims, but it conflicts with the Jamaican Constitution: "Except with his own consent, no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of expression, the said freedom includes the freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference, and freedom from interference with his correspondence and other means of commu-nication." Ironically, Mr White refers to the Jamaican Constitution himself; surely, a contradictory act.

Secular judiciary system
Thus, I call for a secular judiciary system: one devoid of a religious leaning. Otherwise, we risk living within a radical state run by religious extremism. Such a state as this was recently defunct: the Taliban-headed Afghanistan. Should Jamaicans wish to avoid the fate suffered by Afghanistan, then a secular law is necessary.

I am, etc.,
FREDDIE PRAGNELL
Kingston 8

Hellooo

Hmph ah wah dis