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Jamaican Christians: homosexuality will not be accepted

Religious leaders in the island nation have proclaimed that, despite strong lobbying by homosexual-rights activists and pressure groups, homosexuality will not be accepted as normal by the Jamaican people, reports Thaddeus M. Baklinski, LifeSiteNews.com.

A report in the Jamaica Gleaner newspaper today quotes Rev. Dr. Merrick 'Al' Miller, pastor of the Fellowship Tabernacle in St. Andrew, who said that Jamaicans generally deem homosexuality wrong.

"Homosexuality is wrong from every possible angle. It's immoral from a physical, social and spiritual standpoint." Rev. Miller said that the Church was willing to help and support those homosexuals who are in need of counseling or assistance to change their lifestyle.

"I have no problem in supporting and helping someone who sees that he is going the wrong way and wants help in changing his life, but where I draw the line is when you say that it is OK and want to force others to accept your abnormal behaviour," he added.

He said the demands of gay activists who are attempting to force their beliefs on society will in no way influence Jamaicans to change their views.

Rev. Dr. Lloyd Maxwell, of the AGAPE Christian Fellowship in Portmore, said that Scripture takes a very clear stance on the matter of homosexuality and, as such, the Church would not sanction nor encourage the lifestyle.

Rev. Maxwell said the idea of conducting a public awareness campaign to sensitise Jamaicans on the issue is ludicrous.

Anglican Archbishop Drexel Gomez, who is a Primate of the West Indies, called for a stop to the further promotion of homosexuals to the office of bishop. The Archbishop told the The Nassau Guardian today that it would be "scandalous if gay Anglican Bishop Canon V. Gene Robinson appeared at the upcoming Anglican Lambeth Conference in July, with his partner."

Gomez said the Anglican Church's stance in The Bahamas following the consecration of the homosexual Bishop has not changed, and it is still against such practices.

"We do not support that [homosexuality] and we hold that homosexual practice is contrary to the teaching of the Bible and we still maintain that," Gomez said, adding that the decision to ordain Robinson has led to other "controversies" in the Communion regarding sexuality and church authority.

In a related story, the Jamaican Ministry of Education came under fire from teachers and church leaders recently when it was suspected of endorsing a home economics textbook that promoted same-sex unions and homosexuality.

Education Minister Andrew Holness told the Jamaica Gleaner, "We want to make it absolutely clear that the Ministry of Education does not endorse or support the teaching of homosexual relationships as the accepted standard of family. We don't teach it and we don't recommend it."

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[02/20/2008]

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