THE EDITOR, Sir:
I WRITE to respond to a letter published in your column on Tuesday, February 28, 2006, titled 'Religious Hard Talk a nuisance'. The writer, while admitting that the Ian Boyne-hosted programme "has won the hearts of many Jamaicans", expressed grave concern that it has become a nuisance, since it is, in her view, the leading cause of conflict within Christian communities. She expressed the view that the programme makes allowance for non-Christian beliefs towards which "many illiterates" gravitate and calls for it to be limited to Christian denominations. The absence of any data showing what statistics she relied on is a troubling one, and reflects a kind of bigotry that mars the quest for objectivity.
The name 'Religious Hard Talk' in, and of itself, is indicative of the nature of the programme. Besides, the host is at pains each week to emphasise that this is not restricted to the Christian points of view, but embraces religion in the widest possible sense. This reveals the writer's possible biases, as well as an attempt to impose her will as to what the programme should be.
This 'new stance' or approach of 'Religious Hard Talk', not only allows for the democratic expression of all faiths, but sets the stage for critical examination of doctrinal issues within the Christian commune, a requirement for determining truth. The programme has constrained many to go back to the Bible with a view of taking a hard look at various issues/doctrines we had taken for granted or accepted without careful examination.
God never fears scrutiny and neither should Christians. Truth is, and has always been, self-validating. Who cares about discriminations of Christians? We must be prepared to walk the path of our Lord. 'Religious Hard Talk' is not the leading cause of conflict; our divisiveness and denominational bigotry are the contributing factors to conflict within the Christian community.
I am, etc.,
DUDLEY CLARKE
Elim District
C/o Sydney Pagon Agricultural
High School
Braes River P.O.
St. Elizabeth
