THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE DIFFERENCES between modern-day gospel and secular music shows are becoming less distinctive. With what now passes for gospel music these days, one has to wonder whether the churches are slowly losing their moral values, or if they are being infiltrated by the ways of the world through this medium.
Some would want to justify this new phenomenon with the fact that this is the way to make religion more attractive to young people.
While there is the need to modernise the activities of the churches to attract young people, it must be done in a way that does not compromise the basic principles of the church and the teachings of the Bible.
While I was watching television on a local station the other day, I saw excerpts of what was supposed to be a popular gospel concert being shown. For a moment, I thought it was an excerpt from Sting or Sumfest until I turned the volume up and listened to the words. To my amazement I saw what was supposed to be a popular gospel performer on stage dressed in a camouflage army outfit with a rag tied around the head and a large gold chain around the neck, gyrating and inciting the crowd to "get something and wave."
His action on stage was no different than that seen at a secular dance show. My curiosity got the better of me and I sat and watched for a while, then the camera turned to the crowd. All the latest dance moves were on display, similar to what one would see at events like passa passa and weddy weddy Wednesdays.
GOSPEL EQUIVALENT
It is my understanding that for every stage show in the secular world, there is now the equivalent in the gospel shows.
Nothing is wrong with having gospel shows. What is wrong, in my view, is the similarity in all aspects of the gospel shows with that of the secular ones. There is hardly any difference in 'riddim', dance movement and mode of dressing.
These are some of the things that can, in the long run, contribute to the disrespect given to the church as illustrated during 'Bogle's' funeral.
The churches need to maintain a clear difference from the secular world in terms of its music, code of dressing, and its moral standards.
I am, etc.,
AUBYN PERKINS
3 Tropical Drive
St. Catherine
