By Stevenson Samuels, ContributorI WAS delighted to see the continuation of the discussion on 'Children and risky behaviour' in the editorial in the Monday, October 13, 2003 publication of The Gleaner. When the news hit the media on Tuesday -. it confirmed my convictions about the right approach to adolescent development and by extension the development of human society.
If we are going to impact youths in this country in a positive way we cannot just give information on sexuality and other critical issues such as violence. Never before have we engaged adolescents in sexual education as we have in our present age. Since my era in high school we have seen the rise of guidance counselling in schools, family life ministries in churches, psychology programmes in universities and technical human resource management in industry.
In addition we have also seen the promotion and establishment of deviant or may I say variant groups, movements and philosophies. The publicity of JFLAG, the advocacy of red light districts, the push for the legalisation of ganja, the high prevalence of incestuous relationships as seen in the frequency of cases in the courts are just a few examples of the phenomenon of deviance being tolerated and accommodated in our post-modern society of pluralism and inclusivity.
ON THE DECLINE
In spite of all this modernisation of the Jamaican society responsible sexual behaviour is on the decline. Sexuality without spirituality leads to carnality and ultimate fatality of any society. That is the raw truth of the matter. Sodom and Gomorrah is a prime historical example of national destruction as a result of sexual deviance. The population of Noah's days would testify of the fall of humanity when people do what is right in their own eyes.
If you think I am being overly Biblical take a look at the destruction of Port Royal at its highest point of revelry and carnality and see the absolute destruction of an economy founded upon those principles. In the midst of its wealth and popularity Port Royal crumbled under an 'act of God.' Then follow me to modern Jamaica and look at the high quality professionals in medicine, finance and education. Look at the popular and influential politicians of world renown that we possess. Our gifts in sports cannot be matched by other nations. We have also produced some of the best performing artists the world has ever seen.
In the midst of all this achievement, poverty, HIV, unwanted pregnancies, drugs, violence, incest and mass migration of our valuable human capital continue to be the dominant experience of our society. I tell you the truth: 'Righteousness exalteth a nation but sin is a reproach to any people.'
STUDIES HAVE SHOWN
Numerous studies have shown that when adolescents engage in spiritual development it aids their holistic development at rates higher than their non-religious peers. A relationship with God is vital for personal and societal growth and stability. The problem with the adolescent population is not a lack of knowledge. It is a lack of sustainable values. Values development is at the core of spirituality and it is very difficult to create holistic values and to sustain the practice of these values within a society without a faith-based machinery. That is why a conscious reflective and functional church present and active in society is very critical for the health and prosperity of that society.
I urge the government, the established church and other interest groups to support faith-based adolescent organisations that are seeking to educate youths about healthy lifestyles while at the same time empowering them with an active transformational relationship with God that will provide the values needed to sustain the lifestyle. The Inter Schools Christian Fellowship (ISCF) and the Uni-versity and Colleges Christian Fellowship (UCCF) are two entities seeking to accomplish this mission.
The Rev. Stevenson Samuels is general secretary of the Students Christian Fellowship and Scripture Union (SCF-SU).
