Garth Rattray AS OUR country celebrates Christmas, we should remember that this time of year provides a wonderful opportunity for spiritual reflection. I was once told that Jamaica has more houses of worship per square mile than anywhere else on Earth. As if to underscore our religious foundation, even our irascible parliamentarians are in the process of choosing a new prayer with which to open their proceedings. At least on the surface of it, one would be led to believe that we are a nation of Christians.
A Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Research Assistant kindly provided me with the data on the population by religious affiliation/denomination. With a little addition, I discovered that, when surveyed in 2001, almost 66 per cent of Jamaicans responded that (although there was wide denominational distribution) they were of the Christian faith. About 10 per cent of the population gave responses that did not fit into any of the well-known religious categories. About 21 per cent claimed to have no religious/denominational affiliation. The remaining 3 per cent fell into the "not reported" category. But judging from our unbridled murder rate, heinous crimes, rampant indiscipline, aggressive road use, lack of courtesy, deadly tribalism, endemic selfishness, rapacious business practices and institutionalised corruption, it's hard to believe that two-thirds of our nation is actually Christian.
TRUE RELIGION
Claiming Christianity and practising it are two different things. Your true religion is evident in the way that you live your life, not by your place of worship. Many other religions require strict adherence to rote ceremonies and frequent prayers but Christians only need to do two things; worship God and treat others as they would want to be treated. Most people mistakenly believe that worship simply means attending church and/or praying. In fact the object of your worship is whatever frequently occupies your innermost thoughts, consequently, some people worship mundane things like power, money, politics and social status. Attending church ever yday and praying every hour is empty worship. The true worship of God involves the giving of yourself to others. It involves the sharing of the gift of enlightenment.
There is no room for selfishness in Christianity. A significant number of people become smug and holier-than-thou "Christians" once they go through the ritual of joining a church. Some treat the church as one would a social club or an association of some kind. Yet others attend church regularly in the foolish hope that by this action alone they will accumulate enough points to enter heaven. But entrenched in Christianity is the belief that spiritual passivity (what Christ referred to as "lukewarm") or omission is as big a sin as commission. We all know that there are many individuals who are devout Christians but has their influence offset the scourge of evil that has beset our nation? Many Christians from several denominations play active roles in their communities and the country at large. They en-ighten and inspire, comfort and encourage, serve and direct with selfless sacrifice. But in light of our moral decay and social degeneration, I wonder how many others are making their presence felt.
Christ led by example. He dedicated His life to the worship of the Father. He let His light shine for all to see. Many Christians today live their entire lives within the tight circle of the church, afraid to show their light. But Christianity is not confined to the church; it is the boundless incandescence that illuminates everyone with whom you come into contact. In a truly Christian society it would be very difficult for the ingredients of crime and violence to exist. Although there would be poverty, there would be no hunger, although there would be unemployment, everyone would have clothes, shelter and security. Although there would be sadness, there would be consolation, and although there would be anger, the love of others would turn it away.
In this season it's good to remember what it's really all about. In a Christian nation such as ours, we should each be our brother's keeper, we should condemn hate and tribalism in its many forms. If each one of us practises true Christianity within our personal lives, then Jamaica would be a far better place.
Dr Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice.
