By Yvonne Sam
— Sadly men of the cloth are not behaving as they ought.
Has the church lost its influence? Has it become weaker? Are the pastors hiding?
A shroud of darkness has enveloped the land, and I am yet to see the pastors make a historical stand. In 2015, I wrote an article denouncing the rising rate of femicide in Guyana, and called on, not only the government, but also the church, to make efforts to ensure that we stamped out the seeming Guyanese curse — that of our men being responsible for putting our women in hearses. www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2015/12/05/guyanese-women-find-themselves-in-a-catch-22-situation-2/.
To strengthen my point, I made an impassioned plea for a moratorium of sorts — a move that fell not only on deaf ears, but seemingly also on hardened and reluctant minds. Now some are nursing another more intimate wound, the church’s inability to acknowledge their pain, along with its conspicuous silence on other deadly issues such as the increased road fatalities.
The Church especially the Black Church has always focused on the message of hope for a better future. Consequently, ministers of today must be strong, continue to lead respectfully and provide the leadership that is essential for a community to survive and flourish. Like America, the country has recently extricated itself from the jaws of a very contentious and malodorous presidential election, a further reason why the preachers should be ready to give pulpit addresses on the things that affect and afflict the nation at large. For many, especially in the Black community, the church is the single most important institution providing a sanctuary for both their culture and their faith.
My question remains: Where is the clergy? Are they doing enough? Granted, there are some who are doing their godly best, but the numbers are too few. Are they concerning themselves with the issues? No chiding, but are they hiding, leaving the work to the dedicated few? Preachers who look on Sunday as their day, and be invisible when it matters most may eventually be regarded as spiritual ghosts.
To the pastors out there— Come out and be seen, and avoid being asked “Where have you been?
Comments
Absolute “hogwash” !
Religion has divided our world more than any
other forms of “doctrination” ? As one writer
typed “religion is the opium of church,mosque,synagogue or temple”.
Need i mention “Jonestown” as an example !
In nature as in god there are good ugly and/or evil…let’s not adore any. The only aspect of religion that deserves praise is its “morality”
It’s “mortality” discouraged.
Can go on but will leave further comments to
live/fight another day.
My two cents !
Kamtan uk-ex-EU
Yvonne Sam I think you dislike everyone I don’t think there’s a single person besides yourself that you like.. I’ve never in my life have ever heard someone point out so many things that would cause people to hate each other as of
you.
In general religion has caused more problems than anything else.
I personally think you’re delusional and anyway my understanding is you live in Montreal now but it’s amazing how you criticize everybody everywhere except for yourself so tomorrow when you get up have a long hard look in the mirror at yourself.
To Eugene Ross;
PLEASE stay away from personal attacks if you want to continue your comments on this blog.
Stay on the subject being discussed and state your opinions regarding its content.
If you are a pastor, or a devout church member, tell us what your church is doing for the people, especially in these tumultuous times.
Personally I have my doubts about the CHURCH, and organized religion in general. They have the power to do much more but are not doing so in many cases .. or maybe in most cases. Other religions, seem to do much more for their members.
This is just my opinion, especially when I see the lifestyle of the tele-evangelists.
How many churches are in the news doing food drives, soup kitchens etc. However they keep on collecting money weekly and monthly in their churches… Check it it out yourself.
So Eugene, stay on the subject, and not on the messenger.
Thank you very much.
Cyril Bryan
Moderator
What does Montreal have to do with what has been written. What is he really trying to say? It clearly show his limited intelligence when someone writes on global topics.
Mr. Bryan you should not give such individuals their hour of fame when they have nothing to contribute but just to attack.
Nothing has been added to the discussion, it only highlights moderating skills.
Rachel Huggins:
Your response is right on target.
I depend on my readers to do most of the moderation as I like democracy and opposing opinions.
Thank you for helping me with this goal.
Personally, I think that Miss Sam is correct in asking the question relating to the Church, especially as it relates to “Blacks”.
I have studied their modus operandi and they seem to be, like most churches and religions, a money making tax free operation.
Thanks again. .
Cyril
There’s a fine line between censorship and freedom of speech that must never be muddied.
Criticism must not always be seen as personal attacks. I have read Yvonne’s articles, but seldom respond. She strikes me as someone who likes to scold others.
However, in the above article, she’s correct to assert that the church should do more. She’s also intuitive in asking whether the church has lost its influence.
With the advance and popularity of science, the answer is yes. During this period of global lockdown, the place of the church has been brought into focus.
Mr Cyril is right to call out Eugene. Where Ms Sam lives is irrelevant and is a step too far. Stay on topic and let criticism be constructive and not destructive.
Brother Man.
Absolutely agree !
Open mindedness transparency and accountability way forward politically.
Everyone has an opinion best shared not
feared. Even when disagree can agree to disagree…the conundrum of the written word.
English is such a complex language….
One word several meanings
Many words similar meanings
LFSB was a master of the English language
Studied law in UK and appointed by HRH QE2
as a QC (queens council) ….
Guyana’s own KABAKA CIC
RIP
Kamtan
The solution is to close down the rum shops and legalise the marry guava, but no one blames the rum shop owners for drunking the man to come home and beat his wife. DDL, Banks DIH and the rest of subsidiaries are too big to be held accountable for promoting rum.
My friend DDL BANKSDIH are commercial
enterprises and are licensed to sell their products to licensed distributors. Bush rum
(Illegal) remains the “poor” mans addiction in
most rural areas. Alcohol is not the only reason
why men return home to beat their wives.
The macho male ting is more a contributing factor…”man up” agenda. Me rang me strang
attitude !
Having said all that “regulatory control” rigorously enforced is way forward.
Laws introduced/updated to address both issues. Anti corruption anti social behaviour
laws debated/discussed/decided and instituted.
Men getting drunk returning home to beat their woman/child mother belongs to “history”
…cave man days ! It is soon 2021 let’s hope
beating/ill treatment of loved one remains history. Corporal punishment abolished.
Question
Do they still “execute” convicted criminals ?
Is it still in practice today in Guyana ?
Will have to google now FMI
Kamtan
Dem wife beater need God.
Capital punishment has been put on hold because of EU intervention. Only America and a few dictatorships in the ME rely on the death penalty these days.