Talking, thinking about trust

The Editor, Sir:

If you attended Rev Al Miller's Fellowship Tabernacle and listened to his preaching on the events concerning his involvement in the Dudus affair, then attended his court appearance or read about the charges laid against him, you would have to agree with Robert Browning who said, "There's a real love of a lie, liars find ready-made for lies they make, as hand for glove, or tongue for sugar-plum ..." The question is, who is lying? The prosecuting state or the persecuted minister? Who can we trust?!

Until the court case settles those questions, if it can, maybe we who are not so privy to the state's case or the minister's circumstances may do well to seek what truth we can from the little we know, as we all engage in heated discussions in our immutable and excitable Jamaican style.

Important social construct

The first truth I have observed surrounds the issue of trust. A fellow newspaper reader highlighted this issue well as he responded to a report in a popular online daily. "Firstly, I must commend Al Miller for his creative ability to win the trust of Christopher 'Dudus' Coke! This ability of Al Miller should be a lesson for both JLP and PNP leaders! It is very obvious that the trust and credibility of most Jamaican politicians have been so tainted that, had it not been for Rev Al Miller, we may be left to wonder if this search [for Dudus] would ever end!"

We all know that marriages and families are unhappy or destroyed when there is no trust. Communities 'war' with each other when there is the absence of trust.

So think again as you argue at home, work and in your communities about the issues at hand. What should we learn about trust from Rev Miller's circumstance? Let's spend some time talking about that.

I am, etc.,

Dr Andrew Higgings

drandrew.higgins@yahoo.com

Buff Bay, Portland