Church biased
Published:Thursday | June 6, 2013 | 12:00 AM
THE EDITOR, Sir:
I WRITE having read the article entitled, 'Church won't bow to gays - clergyman calls for religious leaders to stand firm against homosexuality' which was the cover story of The Gleaner on Tuesday, June 4, 2013.
I would appreciate it if you would allow me to point out two issues that are always overlooked when the issue of homosexuality and the laws of Jamaica are the topic of discussion.
The fact is, the buggery law, as far as I understand it, also applies to heterosexual relationships. It has to be understood that a heterosexual man engaged in, or found to be in the act that constitutes buggery, with his wife or female partner, can be charged for the same offence, which people generally seem to feel, only homosexual men can be charged for.
In addition, I continue to observe that the Church is very quick to defend their position with respect to the issue of the tolerance of homosexuality; which, as deliverers of the word of God, they must continue to do. However, I believe in balance, and I see where many people use the Church and the Bible to justify various forms of aggression, both verbal and physical, targeted at homosexuals.
Therefore, I also write to encourage the Church to be as vocal in condemning any form of aggression directed at any member of our society, as they are when condemning tolerance of homosexuality itself.
The Church should not be selective when choosing battles, choosing only to 'stand firm' when the matter being discussed is one that is generally accepted and endorsed by the masses.
The Church needs to gain the courage to say, that they do not support, or condone, or have any intention of ever condoning homosexuality, but, neither do they support or condone any act of aggression directed at those who they believe are no longer on the path which is defined as being correct.
ANN OLIVIA NERENE AMOS