Do not legalise obeah

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Quite recently a high-ranking member of the current administration stated that it is time for obeah to be legalised. He made reference to an individual in Montego Bay who was recently convicted and fined for practising obeah which is illegal in this country.

Obeah is a form of witchcraft with roots in West Africa, hybridised in a Jamaican context over hundreds of years. It has endured despite legal and moral attempts to suppress it. Obeah is not a religion in the sense that it has its own deities, but a set of ritual practices to influence the many spirits around us, or to cause bodily harm. A person wishing ill to another might consult a freelance obeah man to put an evil spell on some person, often through herbs and potions, generally manifested as a physical malady.

Obeah also includes ritual practices aimed to bring protection and good fortune, and hence is described by practitioners as something associated with evil powers; but in common practice among most religions it is mostly referred to as an evil power working along demonic witchcraft. A pastor made reference to Haiti which, he stated, has been massively damaged in a plethora of negative ways due to the widespread practising of obeah – he is spot on. He then urged the Government not to legalise obeah in Jamaica for it will structurally destroy our country. I do hope and pray that Prime Minister Andrew Holness will heed the call and do not even consider legalising obeah.

Obeah is intrinsically evil and demonic and should remain on the Jamaican Law books as illegal and unlawful. Jamaica is a Christian country recorded as having the most churches per square mile and we pray and worship the Heavenly Father, the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth. When we pray, it is not so that we can get what we want from God. Rather, prayer is a way to connect with Him and realign our hearts with His.

Prayer is one of the most important aspects of our lives as followers of Jesus, and it should not be taken lightly. Obeah is a very dangerous practice and is totally contrary to the teachings of God.

ROBERT DALLEY

robertdalley100@zohomail.

com