Exercise of democratic right OR irreligiousness? Which?

Fri Jun 25, 2014

Editor: A general sense of disrespect and irreligiousness is prevailing in our country.

The recent orchestrated distasteful happenings at E G Lynch’s funeral are an example. At a funeral, scriptures concerning death and resurrection are read, the family of the deceased grieves and people show some sober-mindedness.{{more}} At such a solemn occasion, persons should be reflecting on their own lives and their need to live for Jesus Christ for their own salvation. When I consider the misbehaviour displayed at that funeral, I ask, how do the guilty adults instruct their children to behave in church? How do you tell your children to behave on solemn occasions? How do you encourage them to relate to those who have wronged them? Can we blame the children, totally, for their disregard for sacred things and their indiscipline? And then, one who ought to know better, recognising his influence as a political leader describes such disruptive behaviour as exercising ‘democratic right’. Since when does a person have a democratic right to disrupt a church assembly and to continue even after being told to desist? Such lawlessness must be condemned!

Whether we like it or not, people traditionally have a certain regard for church/church activities such as religious ceremonies. Such regard may have helped to put certain restrains on people from time to time. So for example, a man may drink, curse and be rowdy at the road side but he would never be like that in a church. Many people also agree that certain behaviours (e.g. booing) could be reserved for political meetings but should never be done in a church or at a solemn occasion. However, it seems like we are fast becoming a society where ‘anything goes anywhere’. Sadly, this behaviour is fuelled by some influential personalities like politicians and radio hosts.

Believe it or not, the increase in irreligiousness is one of the causes of violence and hostility in our society. When people have no respect for sacred things, you think they would have respect for people’s private property or the state’s property? It is no wonder we have so much vandalism, thefts and general disregard of human rights in our society! This behaviour is not helping us as a society. People have grown so heartless and vindictive that not even good judgment and consideration for each other prevails. The bad-behaving persons at Mr Lynch’s funeral seemed so revengeful and unforgiving that they could not even care about the grieving family. They seemed only concerned about ‘getting back’ at their political opponent. “Give him(Gonsalves) a taste of his own medicine,” they say. My God, what is wrong with our people?! Why such coldness?

I have heard the excuse that “people were emotionally charged, they were fed up, they were sending a strong message…” That is unacceptable! Decisions must never be made on emotions. When we do that we are sure to err. In fact, it is the same uncontrolled passions that lead to crimes like murders! Decisions should be motivated by right thoughts- always thinking about what pleases God and the good of our fellowmen.

I appeal to my fellow Vincentians, let’s join hands to make a better society. Let’s join hands in love, which breeds respect for each other, to build a new St Vincent. Whether your political choice is red, yellow, green, blue or none, we are all Vincentians. We are all human beings created by God. Let us begin by recognising that we need God. Only His love planted in our hearts through the faith of Jesus Christ can rid us of the hatred, selfishness and growing divisiveness that exist in our country. The Bible tells us “love worketh no ill to his neighbour:..” Let us love one another in deed and in truth!

Ann-Marie Ballantyne

svgpatriot@hotmail.com