Fr. Richard Ho Lung, Contributor "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." - Proverbs 14:34UNLESS A country is truly under God and His commands, it falls. Watch the decline of the Roman Empire, of Egypt, of Israel. Those greatest of civilisations fell despite their wealth and high level of material existence.
Jamaica is in a terrible state ever since the 1950s and 1960s. With less money nationally, we were so much more civilised, gentle, educated and peaceful. There was not this state of immense wealth among a few and very little for the rest of our people. There was a lyricism about our island, a playfulness, a respect for people, and a deep sense of right and wrong.
Today money is the bottom line in our way of life, decision-making and laws. Television and the media in general are directed at sensationalism and excitement: the more bizarre, the more newsworthy. In the meanwhile the heroic lives of gentle and virtuous people, the God-centred lives of men and women who are centred on family life and values are discounted as uninteresting and old-fashioned.
We are flooded with the most destructive and immoral principle in our modern Jamaican culture. There is the violence at Braeton and Tivoli, the obscenity of our DJ and dub music, the call for casino gambling, nudity, and hedonism in our biggest business tourism; the push for flexi-week and the legalisation of ganja; horse-racing on Sunday. There is the tremendous amount of taxes required in every aspect of Jamaican life and the grotesque and unending violence in our country. Where does it stop? Can it stop?
Only by a reversal of values. God's laws promise God's love, and God's laws applied to our nation means justice as well as mercy for us all. When He loves us, when we revert to Him in our decision-making, He will guide and protect us. A God-fearing and a God-loving people will respect always the Lord and His ways, and, also, our neighbour. Though we were less wealthy fifty years ago, we were so much more civilised and humble in the face of God and man.
Each day I read the news and listen to the troubles of those who come for counselling, and I am disturbed by business practices and the immense amount of lay-offs. As major companies seek bigger profits and lay out their economic plans, the greatest amount of earnings seems to be the primary factor of most companies. Anything below the profit expected would be considered a loss even though large sums of money are made. Many determine to meet their profit margin no matter the consequences for those laid off. In our computerised age and industrial society, machines can produce and be more efficient than people. Thus there is a degradation of people and the value of business in making a stable nation.
The purpose of business as a service to people and to the nation with the intention of just enough profit is really something of the past. The loss of a job, the breakdown of a community and a nation fully employed are given little consideration in our world of commerce today. The one and only consideration for employment and business today is the big profit. People are simply things useful or not towards that end.
Recently, I saw young black Jamaicans selling themselves as studs on a beach to Caucasian women supposedly from Europe and America. I felt terribly ashamed and humiliated for these young men and for myself as a Jamaican. It was explained to me that this is well known by the tourist board in Jamaica, especially on the North Coast and is encouraged. There is even talk as to how this trend in tourism can become a great source of tourist attraction and of course income. This is frightening! Would those in the tourist board use our men for their own profit and the pleasure of middle and upper class women seeking some fun? Is this what God wants? I asked a number of secular materialistic businessmen. They saw nothing wrong with this. The young men would get some money, have some fun, the pleasure-seeking tourists would flock here. Not a question was asked regarding right or wrong.
Money at all cost will lead to total decay and the further fall of our nation and even our economy. Jamaica, marketed as a place of debauchery and fast living will be on the black list of many good-minded, law-biding, and moral people. Those who want to identify with a nation or people of civilised and spiritual depth will simply get out of Jamaica. Why stay around in a land with no respect for uprightness?
Our cultural roots as a Christian and moral people will be thrown out. The spirit of man will die and the unhappiness of our people will make for us hell on earth. This is now happening. We must remember the words of Proverbs, "righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people."
I still believe we can stop the rot. One young lady, a good Christian and extremely bright university student told me, "Father Ho Lung, I want you to bless my chastity ring. I would not partake in that until I am married, if I do marry. My one purpose is to teach youngsters, to bring up a new generation of Jamaicans who are law-abiding, loving, and ready to build up my country. My friends laugh at me, but it is okay. God loves me."
Father Richard Ho Lung founded and leads the Missionaries of the Poor.
