Jamaica is not a theocracy

JFLAG's Program Manager writes...............

The Editor, Sir:

Letter writer S. Richards' article in The Gleaner of March 24 is a stark reminder of what drives anti-gay behaviour in Jamaica: the absence of solid, consistent and coherent reflection on the premises upon which all social exclusion rests. In the letter, Richards defended the maintenance of the legal provisions against buggery since, as the writer believes, they exist 'to keep what is unnatural from becoming accepted'.

This appeal to 'nature' to buttress a legal provision that gives the Government the right to peep into the bedrooms of consenting adults and imprison them is very flawed. Taken to its logical conclusion, governments would be required to ban the cutting of fingernails and hair, the wearing of tattoos and of clothes, the use of man-made fibres and plastics, and the piercing of body parts because these practices are 'unnatural' and what is unnatural should be kept from becoming accepted.

If we understand the letter correctly, Richards' argument is akin to treating homosexuality as an exceptional sexual sin. The writer now claims homosexuality to be so exceptional an unnatural act that it warrants criminalisation! But no one is proposing the criminalisation of fornication and adultery, a logical necessity if we maintain that the anti-buggery provisions are moral in nature, yet the criminalisation of sex between men is accepted and promoted as a Christian duty to nation.

Religious belief

Further, no one is proposing that we ban unnatural acts such as the placing of dyes under the epidermis or the piercing of muscles such as the tongue, but we are to accept that what two consenting adult men do with their body parts in the privacy of their homes is so outrageous that is requires interdiction.

It is time that people learn to distinguish secular governance from religious belief. When last we checked, Jamaica was still a democracy, not, as they imply and seem constantly to desire, a theocracy.

I am, etc.,

JASON MCFARLANE

Programmes Manager

Jamaica Forum for Lesbians,

All-sexuals and Gays

Manage yourself

"As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." – Proverbs 23:7

Have you ever met anyone with the wrong attitude? I have! The business of managing our attitude is very important since we can communicate the wrong attitude or a problematic particular perspective on life or about ourselves that makes us looks bad. Self management, including self control, anger management, and attitudinal management are all skills we need to develop as we seek to focus on living a life oriented onto the spirit.

We can decide to be pleasant persons. We can decide to live and allow joy to ooze out of our very beings because of a greater sense of inner contentment and well being. This inner contentment and well being can come from our relationship with God and a deep seated recognition that our lives are focused on the spiritual rather than the material values of life. Let’s begin to take responsibility for our attitude, let’s make a decision to radiate warmth, love, joy, peace and happiness. Once we have made that decision let’s manage ourselves, let’s be self controlled, let’s radiate pleasant attitudes.

One of the things we must never cease to remember is that whatever happens inside of us is more important than that which happens to us. We can act in such ways that we control our attitudes. Let’s seek God’s guidance for self control. 

Let endeavour to control our attitudes as we go about our daily tasks this coming week. Let us remember that the circumstances we confront are usually not the ones we construct, however you can control your own attitude to the circumstances. Don’t let the circumstance get on top of you, you take control, be on top of the circumstances with self control and a winning attitude.

Peace and tolerance

H

Rev Says

Jude 20-23,
Agenda for Living

Jude here focuses on certain packages of advice and offers to the church some attitudes. He also balances his challenge with encouragement. Each package is an agenda for survival, development and stability. In fact in Jude, there is an agenda for survival, development and stability.

He gives four things that ought to mark the life of every Christian:

1. Soundness of conviction (vs. 20). If you are going to survive and grow then it matters what you believe. Faith here takes on other dimensions- the sum total of what you believe about your responsibility to what you believe. What do you believe and are you living out your faith?

2. Openness to communion with God (vs. 20). Pray in the Holy Spirit. Only when there is openness between God and ourselves will there be a free flow between us. Prayer should be led by the Spirit’s power at all times. When the Spirit leads prayer, we don’t pray our mistrust, biases and suspicions and pray them as facts. Spirit led prayers are those that seek God’s guidance. Are you allowing the Spirit to guide you in all your undertakings?

3.Faithfulness in commitment (vs. 21). We have been called and are loved by God, let us keep ourselves in God’s love. Are you faithful in your commitment to love God and to love all of God’s people?

4. Kindness in conduct (vs. 22-23). Be sensitive. There is a kindness that sacrifices because of the love of God that causes us not to judge others. Are you sensitive to the issues of others and respond to them loving and caring ways?

I wish for you all a very peacefula nd profitable weekend.

Best wishes,
Rev