Many have been distraught because of the rally on Sunday
June 29, 2014, declaring that there are more pressing issues at stake. Questions
have been raised, how come the church is not protesting against rapists, murderers,
adulterers, fornicators etc.? The church should be the moral fiber of society,
the DNA of which our moral standards and values are based up on. Yet, many are
of the conviction that the rally or the ‘church’ itself is infiltrated with
pure hypocrisy.
It is quite sad to hear the public’s view of the event;
however it is just the growing trend – a mere aspect of the status quo. The
church over years has lost its voice; its position as the moral fiber of
society is slowly delving into a state of extinction. Though we are not
perfect, we have failed to live a life in which people have respect for us, and
by extension, the church. I was under the conviction that the Jamaican populous embraced a culture of Christian values and principles. Our National Anthem in
and of itself is a prayer, which I heard (not sure how true it is) was among
the best in the world.
Regardless of how our culture has evolved, I believe that
the church community reserves the right to have a voice and to speak out
against a human behavior that they and other members of society consider
unacceptable. As a Christian, I do not, in any way, tolerate violence and/or
discrimination against homosexuals, but I will not accept their behavior as
normal, neither will I accept that they were born that way. For, the Gay and
Lesbian Medical Association recommends that people not use the argument that
homosexuality is biological because there is simply not enough evidence.
Many (homosexuals predominantly) are calling on the
Government to repeal the buggery law which states “Any male person who, in public or private,
commits, or
is a party to the commission of, or procures or attempts to procure the
commission by any male person of, any act of gross indecency with another male
person, shall be guilty of a misdemeanour,
and being convicted thereof shall be
liable at the discretion of the court to be imprisoned for a term not exceeding two years, with or
without hard labour.”
I will not say that the law must be repealed, rather it should be revised.
Since homosexuals claim that what they do in the privacy of their homes is
nobody’s business, then remove the word private from the law. Clearly, the law
in its current state is unenforceable, however let what is done in private,
stays in private.
According to J-FLAG, “a wholesale repeal of the buggery law
would not be helpful to anyone because it would create a lacuna in the law.” Brian
Paul, sub-regional co-ordinator of the Caribbean Forum of the Liberation and
Acceptance of Genders and Sexualities (CariFLAGS) and advocate for J-FLAG
states “So, for instance, if a little boy or little girl should be raped in the
anus, in the absence of the buggery law, there is no protection. So, as it is
right now, the buggery law does serve some useful purpose, but it is problematic
for consenting adults in private.” I believe homosexuals have rights, should be
respected and live a peaceful life, but I do not condone homosexuals forcing
society to accept their lifestyle as normal.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever
things are honest, whatsoever
things are just, whatsoever
things are pure, whatsoever
things are lovely, whatsoever
things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these
things.” (Phil. 4:8)
