THE EDITOR, Sir:
As a Christian, I have great concerns about the way that the Church seeks to represent God in Jamaica. I am absolutely and diametrically opposed to homosexuality. However, I believe that they have the right to practise their sexual preferences. I disagree with their practise, not their right to practise.
The Church has been aroused lately by the impending amendment to the Jamaican Constitution. The claim is that the proposals contained in the Charter of Rights Bill would, among other things, decriminalise homosexuality.
Like all Jamaicans who grew up in a homophobic society, I am uncomfortable with the prospect of the laws against homosexuality being relaxed. But that is as far as anyone should go. No one has the right to take away the right of freedom from another person.
I believe that the Church is being either myopic or hypocritical in its approach to this particular issue. I agree that this is against biblical teachings, but so is lying.
RIGHTS
What they are trying to do here is analogous to some group or individual deciding that the Church does not have the right to worship. How would the Church react to this situation? On what grounds would they defend their rights to worship? They would surely want to use their constitutional rights of freedom. This is the same rights that they are trying to take away from homosexuals.
As a practising Seventh-day Adventist, I can see someone deciding one day that I cannot worship on Saturday anymore. It is one thing to disagree with the practice of homosexuality, but it is a different matter to deprive one of his rights. What homosexuals do will only affect them, not the integrity of the Church. However, the Church's credibility and integrity can be greatly affected if it seeks to undermine the liberty of anyone.
THEOCRATIC COUNTRY
Jamaica is not a theocracy. It is not governed by the Bible, though I wish it was. If the Church's stance is being driven by the Holy Spirit, then it would be logically reasonable to believe that the Church would be equally incensed about the levels of corruption, adultery, fornication, social and economic injustice and violent crimes. Why don't they seek to have laws passed against adultery and fornication which are tearing families apart? Let us take away the rights of freedom to commit adultery and fornication. Is the Church scared that no one would come to church if they advocate for such laws? Jesus would have one word for this - hypocrisy.
The Church is within its rights to preach against homosexuality, but does not have the right to advocate the taking away of their human rights. God forbids us from committing adultery and other immoral acts, but He has not taken away our right to do so.
Let the Church be the CHURCH and not a business of convenience. God is the biggest advocate of human rights. He gave it as a gift.
I am etc.,
LAVAL WILKINSON
lavalwilkinson@hotmail.com
North York, Ontario
Canada
Via Go-Jamaica
