THE EDITOR, Sir:A REV. Byron G. Malcolm wants to know what's with that little country down there. His disrespect touts the political correctness of the so-called separation of church and state.
The separateness (not separation) of the church (organised religion) and state preserves the integrity of both entities. This should, however, not be confused with the indispensable role of the Church in all things, including the state. All laws (including the Ten Commandments) had their origins therein.
THEORETIC VALUES
The Church focuses on religious development, but all other values are critical. The bishop is a political figure, service is social, contributions to the church's operations are economic, décor is aesthetic, and the reading of the Bible is an expression of theoretic values (with religious intent). These values are manifested in the wide- ranging attributes of pastors, servers, treasures, cleaners, musicians and members, all with a common focus.
Governance emphasises the political dynamics and judgement of people to build a prosperous, appealing, socially responsible, and just society. To do this, it infuses religious precepts into law, social responsibility into services, economics into budget administration, aesthetics into expression and theory into scholarship.
Jamaica has a constitution. Our motto, anthem and pledge are all Bible-based. Respect for our precepts stops us from seeing ourselves as other nations see themselves - where anything goes except the Bible. What we must do is place the critical values at the focus and adapt the supporting values to their purpose. There can be no sharp divide among these values. It is balance that counts.
The Prime Minister's commitment to a Christian focus should not stimulate this much objection. She does not seek to change the foundations of governance, only to include a few religious icons to board membership.
My only suggestion to her is to keep the pastors free of political alignment by assigning them independent status and the leverage to rebuke and speak out against unethical conduct.
Let us stop quoting the paradigms of political correctness of the so-called First World. They, like us, are not perfect. They have their own problems. Political correctness, or the desire to be all things to all people, is one. In those countries, by the way, civil rights are seen in the same light as that of intra-gender marriage (sic).
Cho man! Mek wi duh betta dan dat.
I am, etc.,
WALDEMAR SCOTT
waldemarscott@yahoo.com
208 Southerness Court, Stockbridge, Georgia, U.S.A.
Via Go-Jamaica.
