Crime prevention does need divine intervention

Lucien Jones, Guest Columnist

Having read The Gleaner's editorial published Saturday, January 11, 2014 titled 'Where are the big crime-fighting ideas?', as a Christian, with a long history of involvement in public health issues, I feel compelled to make the following points.

That a call by the minister of national security, or any other minister of government, or member of civil society, for "divine intervention", in the fight against what some may argue is the most important national issue for 2014, crime and violence, does not mean that in and by itself, such a call translates into that person being "all out of ideas to fight crime".

That the writer's lack of appreciation at best, and ignorance at worse, of the role of the religious community in general, and the Christian Church in particular, in advancing, and more important, attended by considerably sacrifice and pain, in implementing "big ideas", in nation building, is amazing in this era of easy access to information.

That impression could reasonably be deduced from reading the editorial. In that respect, it leaves me to wonder if the writer has ever heard of Sam Sharpe, and read about his role in setting black people free from the shackles of slavery? All because of the "big idea" that all men are equal before God!

Has the writer ever contemplated the role of 'church schools', perhaps to which he or she owes a great debt, in shaping a nation? All because of the "big idea" that education of the sons and daughters of former slaves could better enhance their freedom and build a nation!

Religious commitment

If this nation had responded to the "big idea" that "righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach", we would have avoided this madness about which the headlines from another newspaper 'cried for divine intervention'. For make no mistake about it, to wonder if there is " a evil amidst us", is to implicitly ask God for help. Unless, of course, the writer of the Gleaner editorial is unaware of, or unconvinced about, the role that evil supernatural forces are playing in this heart breaking national problem.

Either way, whether it is in carrying out one's baptismal mandate to 'fight valiantly against evil', or in joining forces with the rest of civil society in helping to lift people out of poverty, sickness and ignorance, the religious community's "big idea" of trusting in God, and loving our neighbour as ourselves, if adopted by more people, would go a far way in fighting against crime and violence in this nation.

The minister is right. And refreshingly so for a politician! We should encourage him - and not pour cold water - on one of his "big ideas". Either because of prejudice or ignorance. Or both!

And who knows, maybe the Lord will hear and have mercy on this nation, and do more than what we can ever hope and plan for, by ourselves, and with our limited wisdom and power. A plan which, by the way, in no way removes from us the responsibility to collectively get on with the business of fighting crime, with all hands on deck - especially the media houses and the politicians - but rather, offers a perspective on Who is our ultimate source of help. The Creator of Heaven and Earth and His son Christ Jesus.

Dr Lucien W. Jones is eucharist minister at St Andrew Parish Church. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and lucienw.jones@gmail.com.