Teach them to love, Rev Dick
Published:Monday | September 6, 2010 | 12:00 AM
The Editor, Sir:
On Thursday, September 2, Rev Devon Dick's column stated that this is: "... a world in which the fittest survives in this rat race of life. It is to have might determining what is right and the minority powerful having the influence. Mankind could become little gods to determine what is right and then what is right for one might be wrong for another. It sounds like chaos. It would mean that no one would want to submit to a higher power or being. It would be difficult to find consensus on common values, attitudes and goals. It would be each man for himself and the devil takes the hindmost." But that is precisely how our 'world' is now ... with religion!
Jamaica, despite its high concentration of churches and Christians, has one of the highest levels of income disparities, one of the most powerful minority classes, public leaders as gods determining morality, and perhaps among the most chaotic of democracies. Add too, the most rum bars and the most murders!
Religion is the culprit
Now do not get me wrong! It is not 'God' who is at fault; it is religion. The fact is, as one of your respondents pointed out, there is actually more godliness where there is less 'God', more righteousness (right living) where there is less religion and more Christ-likeness where Christ is not being rammed down people's throats all the time.
Jesus never did religion and never started any. As a matter of fact, the gospel stories are replete with his criticisms of, his cynicisms about, and his judgements on religion. He just taught people to love all their neighbours as themselves. That is the highest form of godliness and religious tolerance you can find. He said: "The wheat and the tares will grow together until the day of the harvest." And he also said: "Judge not."
Teach your (Jamaican) people to love, Rev Dick. It was good enough for Jesus. It should be good enough for you too.
I am, etc.,
STANLEY REDWOOD