THE EDITOR, Sir:JAMAICA IS faced with a jigsaw puzzle that no one seems to be able to solve despite all the effort and that is the problem of crime and violence.
In watching the news on television and reading in the newspapers in recent weeks, I found myself weeping as I mourned with those persons who have lost their loved ones to this menace.
The three policemen who were representatives of law and order died; two businessmen and other ordinary
citizens died at the hands of gunmen; likewise gunmen died at the hands of the
security forces.
All these persons have left families to mourn their loss while the society is gripped by fear.
EXTEND BROTHERLY LOVE
There is the tendency in our country to hate, condemn and retaliate rather than to be forgiving, while wrongdoers appear to be more brazen than before in their acts against the society.
This is telling us as citizens that something has gone wrong and we should all unite in finding a way to change the situation.
Instead of venting anger and bitterness towards the perpetrators, could we try love? Could we indicate to them our intolerance of their actions and that justice will indeed be served but also extend to them brotherly love as fellow citizens of Jamaica? I do not believe this is far-fetched.
We are told in God's Word the Bible at 1 John 4:18 that there is no fear in love but perfect love casteth out fear. The example Jesus Christ showed us while dying on the cross was compassion for a criminal and concern for his mother.
MESSAGE OF CARING
I believe that His action toward that dying thief changed the perspective of the family of that thief as they watched him die with the hope of a promise made to him by Jesus. They saw that someone cared for him.
Perhaps this is a message we need in our society today: that we should be more loving and caring towards one
another regardless of one's status in life.
Who knows? This may be the disarming factor in our society if we give it a try and a solution to the problem we face.
I am, etc.,
D.M. WEATHERS
Kingston 8
