Garth Rattray

Christmas hijacked the festival of the Winter Solstice (the Yuletide) and, commercial, religious and cultural entities hijacked Christmas (now referred to as 'the holidays' in developed countries). Despite its pagan origin and frivolity, most Christians use this season for religious reflection.

Throughout history, Christianity and various other great religions have been sullied. In today's world, Islam is being tainted by radical, extremist sects that use their religion as an excuse to carry out violent acts for political gain. Currently, Christianity is being undermined by the materialistic and irreligious acts of several so-called faithful. Our religion is under threat from deviants, entrepreneurial false prophets and superficial 'churchians'.

There is a conglomeration of ills within the church today. Christians are beginning to look like a bunch of confused, wayward children. Some group within the Church of England wanted God to be officially assigned the female gender. 'He' would therefore be referred to as 'She'! I suppose this should come as no surprise since, three years ago, a homosexual American Anglican priest (Gene Robinson) was ordained as a bishop although he was openly 'living in sin' with his (male) lover.

I've lost count of the number of religious and so-called spiritual leaders that have been disgraced either for paedophilia, homosexuality or heterosexual indiscretions. I'm certain that many more remain undiscovered. Many tele-evangelists and other pastors have thoroughly commercialised Christianity. Even disingenuous politicians feign religiosity in order to gain favour with voters.

Wrong reasons

Innumerable 'Christians' are in it for the wrong reasons. Some worship based on family tradition. Others worship because it fulfils a social need and makes them feel comfortable. They run to religion for the psychological shelter and the physical support that the church provides from the harsh vicissitudes of life. Some become baptised for the 'feel good' factor. I believe that most practise - what they perceive to be - Christianity for 'spiritual insurance'. They think that it's their ticket into Heaven. All these reasons share one fundamental commonality, selfishness - which contravenes everything that Jesus Christ lived for.

Mirriam-Webster defines a Christian as 'one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ'. Such a definition may be adequate for questionnaires and censuses, but, sadly, it is also representative of the average Christian. Additionally, Mirriam-Webster defines 'religion' as 'a personal set or institutionalised system of religious attitudes, beliefs and practices', so, simply professing a belief in Christianity and not practising it does not make anyone a Christian; it makes him/her a hypocrite.

The institution of the Church is important, but we urgently need to retool Christianity and emphasise it as a way of life - of loving God wholeheartedly and doing unto others as we would want done unto us. Only then will we become more than pseudo-religious 'churchians' who are not translating their religious beliefs into action. This is why our democratic society is losing the fight on crime, corruption and poverty. Jamaica perhaps has the highest concentration of churches anywhere, yet, paradoxically, we are competing with South Africa, Colombia and Venezuela for the title of the murder capital of the world.

Other religions revere Jesus as a prophet, why can't we? It is unchristian for relatives and friends of criminals to cover up and/or benefit from their activities. Elitism, selfishness, greed and corruption are unchristian. Only if we initiate daily Christian attitudes and practices can we save our country. Politicians, foreign loans/assistance and the relatively few Christians who practise the precepts of Christ cannot save Jamaica on their own.