Christian Alternative Sites

Check the links below for gay Christian and alternative spirituality sites.
http://www.outspirit.org/
http://www.gaychristians.org/
http://www.whosoever.org/welcome.html
http://www.whitecranejournal.com/wc00000.htm

This inspiring bishop was invited to speak in Jamaica in 2001 by the Universal Centre of Truth:
http://www.dioceseofnewark.org/jsspong

This is a listing of alternative gay spiritual sites:
http://www.whitecranejournal.com/wc05000.htm
http://www.othersheep.org/

Metropolitan Community Church:
http://www.ufmcc.com/

Gay muslim site:
http://www.al-fatiha.net/

I Pray That.................

I pray this word from God gets to you just in the nick of time! I feel some one is on the verge of just giving up. This is a feeling in direct result of depression. You are a praying man but still have not seen this prayer answered YET.

God says just Keep Holding on! I to was a this point of just giving up and throwing in the towel. Like the word from God being Just on Time His Grace and Mercy is JUST ON TIME! The devil and his tricks are a lie! See I tried God, Things got to the point where I looked in the mirror and said God I am going to Trust you! Thank morning I gave up on my way and now only live to stay in Gods will.

So my brother my sister just Hold on Help is on the way! I love you all and please be Healed from depression from stress from evil ways today speak life to one another!

A movement of God's people at Exodus

Carleen Davis
It was a movement of mind, body and spirit at last Friday's staging of Exodus gospel concert held in the National Stadium parking lot.
The event featured a slew of local gospel acts including Prodigal Son, Carlene Davis, Moses, Shepherd and Ryan Mark, along with overseas-based act, Juniour Tucker and international r&b gospel artiste Kirk Franklin.

<<<<<< Ryan Mark

Despite the late start, patrons were in a jubilant mood and were more that ready to hear the first performance when emcees Nadine Blair and Nigel Wilkinson took the stage after 7:00 pm. Perpetual Praise and Chosen Vessel led them into a number of selections, reminding them that 'This is the day that the Lord has made'.

They were followed by veteran gospel singer Ziggy Soul who was marking his 30th anniversary and upcoming act Tina Tamera who performed her single I'm Good.Music was not the only form of ministry as the Praise Academy Dance Group also entertained, but, for the crowd, their one dance was just not enough.

Even while worshipping, the patrons were reminded of Jamaica's current crime situation and admonished to pray for the country. With Jamaican flags raised above head they joined Davis in singing This Island needs Jesus. Omari shared Davis' sentiments and upon taking the stage immediately following her exit, made his declaration which proceeded songs which made him popular in the gospel music fraternity.
"Young people when we come to an event like this, we don't come to entertain, a God we come fi glorify..too much crime a gwaan."

Kirk Franklin >>>>>

Former Gospel festival winner Kevin Downswell then took the crowd on a spiritual journey, leaving some in tears as he ministered. It was a soul-thrilling performance that touched the hearts of those in attendance. Shouts of Hallelujahs were heard resonating from all sections and hands were lifted high in submission as he led them to the throne of grace.The mood of the concert fluctuated from times of worship, praise and reflection with moments of dancing, clapping and hand raising. But when the self-styled gospel gangsta, Prodigal Son, entered centre stage a militant mood took over."Lock every gate because no demon not escaping out here tonight, because man mad fi Christ," he declared.

His Lava ground and This is a different war, set the crowd on fire. With flags swirling high in the air, they danced stomped and raged war on the devil. They showed their approval when he called his brother Jason Mighty on stage to collaborate on Ketch a Fire. The crowd was disappointed when he exited the stage and some echoed the view that he was brought on too early.

Their disappointment was short-lived, however, as singer Junior Tucker, who has been absent from the local stage for a long time, took the microphone and made his message heard and felt. The man with the vision for the event, Moses, succeeded him and brought the crowd down memory lane. He also used the opportunity to give a lengthy testimony of how he got saved and thanked the crowd for their support.

But as it neared midnight, patrons waited anxiously for a glimpse of Franklin who is known for his energetic performances. Casually attired in jeans and backed by local gospel singers, he spent the remaining hour and a half thrilling the patrons with some of his dance moves and hit songs which generated a frenzy in the masses. He even took the time to encourage those with low self-esteem and placed particular emphasis on the rebuilding of families.

The Broadcasting what??

NDM happy with Admiral Lewin

NDM happy with Admiral Lewin
Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Dear Editor,
The National Democratic Movement is pleased that the commissioner of police, Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin, has reconsidered his decision and reiterates its full confidence in him as fit and qualified to complete the job he started only less than a year ago.

The NDM is fully aware that the job of commissioner of police in Jamaica at this time is extremely challenging and requires a special type of toughness that we are convinced Admiral Lewin possesses. We urge the commissioner to reconsider his decision to talk to the media as it is only by constantly talking to the public that he can be ensured that all the needs of the police will be provided by the government.

The NDM again repeats its call for the implementation of the MacMillan Crime Plan, inclusive of the dismantling of the political "garrison" system, the holding of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission and a reform of the justice system which will enable the full resumption of hanging in Jamaica.

General Secretary NDM
6 Cargill AveKingston 10
ndmjamaica@yahoo.com

Gays are born that way

Gays are born that way
published: Tuesday June 10, 2008

The Editor, Sir:
With the continuing debate over Prime Minister Golding's unfortunate comments and at least one letter writer who is questioning their orientation, I feel compelled to type this brief.
First, I'm not gay and I don't feel insecure about that. I've met, worked with, and am friends with many openly gay (male and female) people, and some who are a bit more cautious about revealing their sexual orientation.

OWN RESEARCH
What I would love to see is a qualified professional in the area of medicine or social science speak out and state what the medical scientific and/or social scientific facts are when it comes to homosexuality and bisexuality, but since I've been met with large silence on those fronts, I did some research on my own.
What I can say from the research and discussions I've had with people qualified in the medical field is that homosexuality occurs naturally within the human population. You can no more choose to be gay than you can choose to be black - Michael Jackson and other 'bleachers' notwithstanding.

Natural sexual tendencies
In fact, what continuing medical research shows in what is broadly termed 'sexual differentiation' is that humans occupy a rainbow of natural sexual tendencies from homosexual through heterosexual to bisexual where the spread peaks in the heterosexual category.
It has been shown that human sexual development goes through a critical phase inside the womb where the action of certain 'sex hormones', namely oestrogens, androgens and testosterone, subtly nudge the brain on a path to female/male gender identification and appearance, and homo-, hetero- or bi-sexuality.

The initial programming by these hormones is also thought to affect the development of the hypothalamus (section of the brain) which largely controls how humans respond to external stimuli (how you react to what you see and feel). Again, the point:People are not gay by choice - they are born that way.

When one starts discriminating against homosexuals due to their sexual orientation, he makes himself or herself no better than racist people discriminating against blacks just because they are born black.

I am, etc.,
'Sensible Jamaican'
sensiblejamaican@googlemail.com

'Anuh One time monkey aggo waan wife' (It's not Once a Monkey Takes on a Wife)

'Anuh One time monkey aggo waan wife'

The beautiful language of our country has given us many statements by which we should live. This popular proverb warns us against turning our backs on persons who have helped us in the past, even more so, turning our backs on a God who has been merciful and faithful in meeting our needs and protecting us.

Although some members of the Jamaican gay and lesbian community can testify to experiencing attacks from outside as well as inside, we should try our best to show our love to all persons no matter what. Let us encourage each other to do more and pray that this attitude becomes widespread among us as Jamaica's gays and lesbians. This will inevitably cause a revolution in our land because love is contagious.

Never turn your back or be unjust to someone. Never allow an opportunity to be kind to a fellow member of the community slip by. Never laugh and enjoy the downfall of a member of the community due to some act of hate and discrimination. Instead, rejoice for justice and celebrate great achievements. After all we don’t know what life holds for us tomorrow.

God is love and that’s all He has for us as his children, let’s honour Him not only when we are in need but also when we are blessed beyond our ability to contain it.

Prayer: God of mercy and love help me to show my love and gratitude for my brothers and sisters, to allow them to feel appreciated as we travel on this road of life. May you continue to shower your love on us that we may show love to others.

Amen.

How to change 'Jamaica, No Problem'

How to change 'Jamaica, No Problem'
published: Sunday June 8, 2008

THE EDITOR, Sir:

The slogan 'Jamaica', No Problem' has allowed for terrible nightmares in our society. Our whole culture and way of life has been invaded by the sub-conscious belief that even when things are wrong, because we're in Jamaica it's not a problem. That's just the way things are. The mindset helps to justify the presence of young girls under 10 years old at street dances in the wee hours of the morning gyrating to the lewd lyrics of 'Pon Di Edge' and 'Back it Up'.

For those who may be naive enough to think that these children may not fully understand what they are saying and simply remember the lyrics because of easy-to-learn hooks, it would be quite interesting to learn of your reasoning on the fact that these children, boys and girls, are already having sex and many are not being coerced into early sexual activity.

Early exposure
The early exposure to such adult activities encourages youngsters to get involved without much thought of consequences. But again, it's just our culture, no problem.
We need also to be mindful that this phenomenon is not unique to the ghetto. It's the silent driving philosophy behind corruption at all levels, it's the reason why anywhere in Jamaica that the police run a raid on minor offensive weapons they're able to quickly stockpile so many hundreds of knives and ice picks and it also contributes significantly to the ever increasing pressure put on our security forces, many of whom become infected and simply join the masses.

After all, we're in Jamaica, no problem.

Our thinking must change for our culture to change. Let us acknowledge the things that are just plain wrong and inappropriate in our society and take the necessary steps to correction.
I am, etc.,
ARTHNEL EDWARDS
arthneledwards@yahoo.co.uk

Because You're Mine

BeBe Winans & Chante Moore
It wasn't long ago I saw and heard somebody say,
I give him thanks for all the good things he has sent my way,
it's then when I wondered if you didn't do the things you do,
if they would still give all the adoration due to you,
I only know.

It's not because you're good, that I feel the way I do,
it's not because you're kind, that makes life for me brand new,
could be because your love, it's the only love so true,
but it's because you're mine, that is my reason.

The more that time goes by the better it becomes to me,
it's so much sweeter than I ever dreamed it could be,
don't get me wrong I do enjoy the finer things in life,
but life without you I found nothing word that sacrifice,
I only know.It's not because you're good, that I feel the way I do,
it's not because you're kind, that makes life for me brand new,
could be because your love, it's the only love so true,
but it's because you're mine, that is my reason.

It's not because you're good, that I feel the way I do,
it's not because you're kind, that makes life for me brand new,
could be because your love, it's the only love so true,
but it's because you're mine, that is my reason.

You've been so good, and you're oh so kind,
I've never found a greater love.

It's not because you're good, that I feel the way I do,
it's not because you're kind, that makes my life brand new,
could be because your love, it's the only love so true,
but it's because you're mine.

It's not because you're good, you've been so good,
could be because your love,but it's because you're mine.

It's not because you're good,it's not because you're kind,
could be because your love,but it's because you're mine.
It's not because you're good, you've been so good,
could be because your love,but it's because you're mine.
It's not because you're good,it's not because you're kind,
could be because your love,but it's because you're mine.
It's not because you're good, you've been so good,
could be because your love,but it's because you're mine,
It's not because you're good.

What now, Mr Commissioner?

What now, Mr Commissioner?
RAULSTON NEMBHARD
Saturday, June 07, 2008

THE entire nation breathed a collective sigh of relief when the prime minister reported to Parliament that Rear-Admiral Hardley Lewin had withdrawn his resignation and would continue as commissioner of police. This sigh of relief was appropriate and consistent with the belief of many that the country was not able to sustain such uncertainty in the top echelons of law enforcement, especially against the background of the spiralling murder rate in the country.

As one who has been very critical of how the commissioner has been doing aspects of his job, I welcome back the commissioner to his post, with certain caveats. The fact that the commissioner has returned to his post does not mean that the problems that he identified and which led to his resignation have disappeared. For example, he cited problems with getting the support of the rank-and-file in the force. This is a problem to which I have consistently called attention, for there is the realisation that no leader of any organisation can do a successful job, if he does not have the support of the men and women under his leadership. This is not only true of the police force, but also of the church, the school, business and civic organisations and other human groupings.

A great deal of the job of building morale in the force lies with the commissioner of police. He must set the tone and gather the men and women under his command around a common set of principles and a clear vision of the direction in which he wants to take the force. Commissioner Lewin came to the force in an atmosphere of suspicion and disenchantment among the rank-and-file. Many felt that he was being imposed on the force not having come up through the ranks. The fact that Commissioner Lewin was coming from the army and had knowledge of certain techniques that might be used in fighting crime, did not mitigate this concern.

If Commissioner Lewin is willing to admit it, he will admit that his public rhetorical outbursts when he first came to the job did nothing to win friends and influence the rankand-file. If anything, they exacerbated suspicion and distrust and heightened tensions. Although the tensions have not evaporated, having returned, he now has a golden opportunity to make a fresh start. He must use wisely what I would describe as the "empathy capital" that will come to him consequent on his return. There are those in the force who would wish he did not return, but the overwhelming majority is willing to give him a chance. There are still many reasonable men and women in the force and it does the commissioner no good to alienate them by painting them with wide swipes of a "corruption" or "criminal" brush.

He must grasp the extended hands and seek to build a relationship with those extending them. If you are going to be in relationship with people it cannot be on your terms only. The views of those who you wish to be in relationship with, however obnoxious and however much they may veer away from yours, must be listened to and respected. In other words, Mr Commissioner, every single member of the force must be made to feel by you that he or she matters and that they are stakeholders in the force you wish to build. Again, speak softly and carry a big stick.

In the meantime, the prime minister has announced that bold initiatives are coming to fight crime. You will forgive me if I sound a bit cynical in saying that we have heard of these bold initiatives in the past and the murder problem has only got worse. Who can forget the "bold initiatives" embarked on by the Manley regime in the 1970s to fight crimes committed by the gun? Can we forget the infamous gun court and the facility that was built to incarcerate perpetrators of gun violence?
Remember that it was painted red because it was intended to be dread. And what of the equally infamous Suppression of Crime Act which was the seed that has now flowered into the massive distrust and contempt with which the police is held by many, especially in the inner-city areas today.

What of the tried and failed policies of the subsequent JLP regime and those of the PNP that presided over the worst murder rate in the 18 years they were in office? The point I am making is that we have heard of these initiatives before, but what has changed, and what will change this time around? What we have done is to respond sporadically to flare-ups of murder, and as soon as things die down we go back to sleep in complacency that we do not have to worry.

Today, things are different. Year by year the murder rate grows, not only in sophistication, but in bestial cruelty. Because we have not treated the crime problem as a national crisis, we have not given it the sustained attention that it demands and so we react in knee-jerks with "bold initiatives" that seem not to drive any fear in the heart of the Jamaican brand of murderer that our society has cultivated and nourished over the years. Yes, there are elements of the crime problem that will require strong and resolute measures, but the law enforcement arm of government must be given the resources to do the job that they have put their lives on the line to do. A comprehensive view must be taken of the wellbeing of the men and women in the force in terms of remuneration, living conditions and the general environment in which they have to operate. A greater burden is placed on the government of the day to lead, to set the national tone that will inspire all well-thinking Jamaicans to join in the fight against crime. We cannot fail. We dare not fail, for to fail is to create a Jamaica run by a criminal enterprise.

stead 6655 @aol .com

Some Catholic bishops encouraging dictatorship of relativism

Some Catholic bishops encouraging dictatorship of relativism
Sunday, June 08, 2008

Dear Editor,

I wish to express my disappointment with those Catholic bishops who allow politicians that support abortion and embryonic stem cell research to receive Holy Communion.
In most, if not all cases, these politicians are fully aware of what they are doing. They know the church teaches that abortion is a grave sin and they also know that they are co-operating in it by promoting it both publicly and legally.

Common sense dictates that when gravely immoral policies find themselves into law, they begin to incrementally, surreptitiously, almost invisibly, impose themselves on society by both coercion and force, marginalising in the process both religion and those of religious faith.When bishops allow such politicians to receive Holy Communion under the guise that all culpability for guilt lies solely with the communicant rather than also with the minister of Communion, these bishops themselves foster and encourage this dictatorship of relativism.

Washington Archbishop Donald W Wuerl's claim that bishops should only be responsible for those people in their own dioceses is a claim to "territorial morality" - in essence the same slogan and formula used by politicians who claim the right to lead a double life - a private life in which they supposedly oppose the evil of abortion and a public life in which they allow and even promote this evil in others.

What form of mental compartmentalisation or bicameral thinking can allow an intelligent thinking human to rationalise this way? On the contrary, Scripture has it that "no man can serve two masters" (Matt. 6: 24).

Paul Kokoski

234 Columbia Drive
Hamilton, OntarioCanada

Murders jump past 700 mark

Murders jump past 700 mark
Teenaged girl among 13 persons killed, cop one of 7 shot weekend
By Karyl Walker Crime/Court co-ordinator
Monday, June 09, 2008

Jamaica's murder tally jumped past the 700 mark, following another bloody weekend in which a 16-year-old girl was among 13 persons killed and a cop among seven who were shot and injured.
LEWIN... bringing down the murder rate would be a process akin to trying to stop a runaway vehicle heading downhill

The latest killings pushed the murder tally to 703, on course for another record year of bloodletting, and in defiance of renewed outrage against the spiralling crime rate.
Police reported 28 murders and six police homicides in the first eight days of June, based on data supplied by the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN).
In May, 185 persons were killed while police reported that 489 persons had been killed between January 1 and April 30 this year.

It was apparent yesterday that criminals were paying scant regard to last week's developments in which Police Commissioner Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin handed in his resignation and was persuaded by influential elements in the Police Service Commission to withdraw it.
Lewin was quoted Friday as saying bringing down the murder rate would be a process akin to trying to stop a runaway vehicle heading downhill. Police blotters showed weekend that the teenaged girl, Rodrique Duncan and her boyfriend, 25-year-old Junior Jarrett, were in an argument yesterday at Paradise in Norwood, St James when a gang of gunmen attacked and shot them repeatedly. Both died on the spot in the early morning incident.
A 52-year-old man who was standing nearby was also shot and injured. He was listed as stable in hospital.

The couple were among four persons killed in separate incidents in St James between Saturday and Sunday. The two others have been identified as 45-year-old Devon Cain of Salt Spring and Sean Campbell, otherwise called 'Bess', a 34-year-old shopkeeper of Paradise Crescent in the parish.
Police said explosions were heard coming from a Toyota Corolla motor car Cain was driving along Orange Street just after midnight Saturday. The car crashed into another vehicle and a man was seen running from the scene. Cain, suffering from bullet wounds, was later found slumped over the car's steering wheel. He died at hospital while being treated.

The second murder occurred about six hours later when residents again reported hearing explosions and saw two men armed with guns, running from Campbell's shop. The men then turned their guns on a woman who was travelling in an Isuzu motor truck and shot her.
On Friday, three carjackers were killed and a policeman injured after a shootout at the intersection of Dyke Road and Grange Lane, in Portmore, St Catherine.
Police say the men robbed a motorist of his car in Caymanas Gardens. The car was spotted and intercepted about 5.30 that evening. The occupants reportedly alighted from the vehicle with guns blazing and the police said they returned the fire, hitting the three men. It was afterwards discovered that the lawman had been shot.

A Taurus pistol with seven 9mm cartridges was seized. The four injured men were taken to the Spanish Town Hospital where the three robbers were pronounced dead and the lawman treated and released. It is not known if the fourth occupant of the vehicle who escaped was injured.
One of the dead men has been identified as Khamana Williams 26, of Gregory Park, St Catherine. The two other men have not yet been identified, police said.
The Bureau of Special Investigations is probing the incident.Police also report the murder of Carlton Plummer, 58, otherwise called 'Ras Michael' of Hartland district, St Catherine, who was shot and killed in the community on Saturday afternoon.

Police said Plummer was at a shop in the community when a silver motor car drove up. Three men alighted from the vehicle and opened fire, killing him on the spot.
Police list the other dead persons as:
. Denmar Woodhouse, 16, otherwise called 'Blue' of Bullet Lane in Kitson Town, St Catherine - shot and killed in the community yesterday morning. Three other men are now seriously injured in hospital.
. Aaron Morris, 46, Higgler of Mountain View, Kingston - stabbed and killed at the National Stadium car park on Friday evening.
. Damion Allen of Halse Hall, Clarendon - shot dead at his home on Friday evening.
. Hyacinth Johnson, otherwise called 'Miss Merle' 55, of Pond Side, St Thomas - shot dead by three gunmen who demanded money at her shop on Friday.
The 13th person who was identified as Damian Henry of Golden Road, Kingston 5, was killed yesterday evening in the vicinity of the Shell gas station on Marcus Garvey Drive in Kingston.

Why is The JLP taking so long to bring a Crime Plan?

Jamaica Observer Cartoon