THE EDITOR, Sir:HIGHEST ACCOLADES to Dr. Ralph Thompson, obviously a man who knows how to call a spade a spade. I am a Jamaican living abroad, and I know that I might have given up a portion of my right to make decisions for Jamaicans who have chosen to stay the course, never leaving their country for all the glamour and the glitter dangled in front of them by the developed world.
My heart is in Jamaica, and will rest there until I return to my beloved country. There is absolutely no place like Jamaica on this planet. Please allow me, however, to agree with someone who knows Jamaica's needs and is giving sound advice. I believe that the government's reluctance to support the gambling venture is based on the very strong influence of the religious society (particularly the Christian religion). Jesus did chase people out of a temple according to the King James edition of the Holy Bible, but these people were described as money changers, and people who were buying and selling (not gamblers). I believe that it is on this passage of scripture that the Christians base their claim and their abhorrence of gambling.
I know that the church has been able to display flexibility before. An example would be their present tolerance of 'jewel wearing' members and the admission of women in the church hierarchy. As a child, these things were taboo as far
as the Christian church was
concerned.
I implore the government and the church to come to some kind of resolution to this matter. Allow good sense to prevail, and earn my country some needed foreign dollars.
I am, etc.,
RUPERT ANDERSON
alfomega32@hotmail.com
Jamaica, NY
Via Go-Jamaica
