THE EDITOR, Sir:

WITH REFERENCE to his column of October 23, titled 'Christianity Margina-lised', let me compliment Reverend Dr Devon Dick. I also noted the response of Anthony Moyston, who points to the paradox of Jamaica being known to have the most churches per square mile, as well as the most murders per capita. In addition to all of this, I had the privilege of observing the presentation of our national honours on Heroes Day.

The persons who were rewarded at all levels of contribution point to a much larger number of yet-recognised 'heroes'. I witnessed the calibre and recognised what inspired many of these persons whom I happened to know of. This left no doubt in my mind about the strong influence of Christianity in our society. Despite the increasing secularisation of our country, our moral backbone and work ethic are still significantly preserved by an army of persons who derive their purpose and empowerment from the same Christian spirituality that inspired heroes such as Bogle, Gordon and Sharpe.

Jamaica has suffered the most severe difficulties and contradictions that a country can experience: =the genocide of indigenous inhabitants, the Middle Passage, the slave system, class and colour divisions, our eroded family structure, violent party factionalism and the stark contrast of the rich minority and poor majority. The fact is that our country, like South Africa, has produced the most violent results of severe oppression, has also thrown up Christian men and women who have been world leaders or contributors in almost any positive spheres that one can imagine. This is a tribute of the 'Way of the Christ'. This Way has survived the wickedest of political regimes and the harshest of living conditions and even its own internal struggles throughout the centuries to become a continuing agent of healing and liberation in our world today.

More needs to be done

Unfortunately, the Church in Jamaica has become too self-effacing in sharing its testimonies of liberation. It is a fact that the majority of charitable and transformational work done among our urban and rural poor is carried out by churches and other religious groups, such as Father Ho Lung's Missionaries of the Poor. There needs to be new alliances struck between our churches, communication specialists and various media to get the word out so that the public can witness the Christ-inspired good works of the 'people of the Way' and, through this, come to acknowledge the incarnated love of our Father in heaven.

I am, etc.,

Dr ANTHONY ALLEN

edwardallen1@hotmail.com

Consultant psychiatrist