THE EDITOR, Sir:CONTRARY TO what most people in Jamaica believe, the issue of gay rights is not about what is right and what is wrong; it is basically about the fundamental human right of consenting adults to engage in homosexual acts in privacy.
In a letter entitled, "Gays and the Bible" published in your edition of Thursday, December 20, Pastor Stevenson Samuels wrongly claims that "It must be the responsibility of the community to establish what is right and what is wrong"; which interestingly conflicts with the traditional Christian perspective that it is the Word of God as reflected in the Bible which determines what is right and what is wrong.
Christians who are vigorously opposed to homosexuality, often use the Bible rather selectively to condemn homosexuality, citing Leviticus 20:10 which also strongly condemns adulterers to death. However, despite the equally strong condemnation of adultery, the state rightly does not criminalise adultery as neither Christians nor the state regard adultery as a criminal act. It can only be sheer hypocrisy to endorse the criminalising of homosexual acts on the basis of the Biblical injunction, while ignoring the equally strong injunction condemning adultery!
I am firmly of the view that morality should not be legislated as it is not the business of the State or community to determine what is right and what is wrong. It is the business of the State to govern and in particular, to ensure law and order, and should intervene only when the good order of the State or community is violated.
Consenting adults indulging in homosexual acts in the privacy of their bedrooms does not in any way violate the good order of the State. Therefore, there is absolutely no justification for criminalising homosexual acts between consenting adults! It is on such grounds that I fully support and endorse JFLAG in its bid to decriminalise such acts.
I am etc.,
GEORGE McGRATH
Kingston
