Is the Jamaican Constitution dead, Mr Archbishop of Kingston?

THE EDITOR, Sir:

“Woe unto them that call evil good and good evil; that put darkness for light and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” – Isaiah 5 verse 20.

It is quite interesting that, as human beings, our level of sensitivity is so warped towards things we do not understand, or we may not practise, that it is very easy to dismiss spiritual experiences we have never encountered.

I was quite surprised with the comments in the media on the weekend proffered by Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kingston Kenneth Richards, calling for the speaking of tongues during worship exercises at institutions to be prohibited.

Would the archbishop like if someone in the religious community called for an end to the tradition of liturgy at church or even in devotions at school?

The Jamaican Constitution guarantees free speech, which means everyone has a right to express himself/herself. But my bone of contention with the archbishop’s utterance is with the use of his free speech to call for curtailing or limiting the right of others to practise religion in schools, which could include speaking in tongues, being a religious man himself.

And, if the Ministry of Education follows this recommendation, then it would not just be limiting the rights of conductors of the devotional exercise, but also the students and teachers as well.

It is really funny that tolerance in our society is limited to certain secular activities but it is never invoked when it comes on to religious practices.

MARVIN FORBES