THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE OXFORD Dictionary defines 'ethics' as a system of moral principles or rules of conduct. Ethics, therefore, is not a matter of laws but has always been an integral component of the society's code of conduct.
In fact, we gained independence because of the convictions of our heroes who contended that it wasn't ethical for a man to hold another man captive and pay him nothing to work on his behalf. Their convictions were not based on any law because what the slave masters did was against any law whatsoever. Instead, it stemmed from the innate understanding that slavery was wrong.
Why is it therefore that we now embrace strictures which override our ethically-oriented values? For example we now penalise those who speak out against homosexuality, a lifestyle which runs in stark contrast to what Jamaica's system of moral principles has advanced over the years.
We are selling everything. A biblical quote states that the love of money is the root of all evil and our government, companies and events promoters, with their wholesale proprietorship attitude, are the exact agencies through which this Bible truth is proven. We accept the donations and sponsorship of gays because they have money we believe we cannot do without. Can you imagine if Paul Bogle, Marcus Garvey and Cudjoe sold their chance to challenge the unethical slavery system? Today we would still be cutting sugar cane under the dictates of the white man's whip. Why is it that we are surrendering our values with no resistance, the very beliefs on which our society was built, simply because the perverted minds of men and women trigger them to lie with their own kind?
What I find interesting is that it is the DJs, yes the Beenie Man and Bounty Killers, whom many consider uneducated who have the gall and impudence to tackle this illicit behaviour. I ask, where is the spirit-filled, Holy Ghost-led church? Where is the judicial system?
People of status say nothing about what is happening, but when they are invited to speak at graduation ceremonies they use their hypocritical tongue to tell young people to uphold morals and values, and not to stoop to any level so as to glean success. Rubbish! I call you to remember the advice of the wise man Solomon, "Remove not the old landmarks that our fathers have laid."
I am, etc.,
LEON FERGUSON
Thegreat1_9@yahoo.com
NCU, Mandeville
