Eden denies ‘hate speech’ and asks for removal of HRC chair
(CNS): Veteran backbench MLA Anthony Eden has called for the Human Rights Commission chair to be replaced with a Christian who believes in the Bible, as he defended comments he made about the evils of homosexuality. In the wake of the public fallout following his August parliamentary presentation on a motion about preserving ‘traditional marriage’ and his attack on the LGBT community, the PPM Bodden Town member said HRC Chair James Austin-Smith as well as Dr Leonardo Raznovich had led a campaign of vilification and attempts to “crucify him” over what he said. Eden rejected the accusation that his comments during the debate were ‘hate speech’, despite the exceptionally controversial content.
During a statement on Wednesday morning as the Legislative Assembly opened, Eden claimed that in his August debate he had quoted only from the Bible and what he described as legitimate articles. Reported on CNS, the story about Eden’s speech attracted 402 comments, stirring up wide condemnation as well as some support.
He accused Austin-Smith, who wrote to the premier condemning Eden’s LA speech, and Raznovich, the lawyer who also publicly criticised Eden’s stand and who is leading the campaign to change the law in Cayman to facilitate same-sex partnerships, of “disrespect” for the people of Cayman. Eden claimed that, as a long-standing representative, he had a perfect right to quote from the Bible and other sources.
He derided Austin-Smith as “an admitted atheist who does not believe in God” and called on the premier to appoint someone who understands the people of Cayman and the Bible as chair of the commission, and said Cayman did “not need an atheist chairing our Human Rights Commission”.
Eden, the deputy speaker of the parliament, said that Austin-Smith had taken his comments out of context when he wrote to the premier in the wake of the speech, in which Eden had said some shocking things about members of the LGBT community and described homosexuals as evil.
But Eden said Austin Smith and the broader public should get a copy of the Hansard and read the speech in its entirety. Eden pressed again on the idea that members of the LGBT community are choosing their lifestyle and that they have some kind of agenda, which he did not elaborate upon but tabled an article from a fundamentalist magazine suggesting homosexuals were out to transform America.
Eden said that Raznovich was disrespecting Caymanians and embarrassing the island with his presentations at internal conferences and that the people in Cayman had not wanted to hear about homophobia and misogyny at the serious of lectures he had organized while at the law school.
He dismissed Raznovich’s comments that same-sex marriages have been accepted in many Christian countries. Eden asked how those nations could be called Christian when they had transgressed by allowing same-sex marriage. Quoting from the Bible, he again emphasized his beliefs regarding the punishment God has in store for adulterers, sodomites and homosexuals.
Eden said he did not care what Austin-Smith said about human rights as he would obey the Holy Bible, and both he and Raznovich could malign him for his religious beliefs but he pitied them both and would pray for their conversion.
The HRC chair had written to the premier in the wake of Eden’s August speech in which he had raised grave concerns and condemned the content. His main aim, however, was to call on the premier to address the human rights challenges regarding local legislation when it comes to the rights of same-sex partnerships and stop the wider discrimination faced by the LGBT community fueled by the type of hate speech delivered by Eden. It is understood that the commission and the premier’s office are still in communication regarding that correspondence.
Meanwhile, Raznovich and his husband are currently going through the process of mounting a legal challenge against the immigration department. After Raznovich’s contract at the law school was not renewed he applied to remain in Cayman as a dependent of his husband, an attorney with a leading offshore firm. However, the application was refused when the business staffing plan board said there was no legal mechanism to allow him to be placed on his husband’s work-permit despite the legitimacy of the couple’s marriage in both their own countries of origin.
Although the Cayman government has resisted any move to address the legislative issues relating to same-sex unions or civil partnerships, legal experts including Raznovich and Austin-Smith have warned that it may prove very difficult for it to continue doing so without facing the possibility of significant legal claims that the government will not be able to defend.
Although the UK has said it will not force its overseas territories to introduce same-sex marriage, on a recent visit to the Cayman Islands shortly after Eden’s now infamous speech, the acting overseas territories minister Grant Shapps said it was not a good idea to prescribe some groups with civil liberties and deny them to others.
Reading the majority of the comments on an issue such as this, it is patently obvious that they are penned by non-Caymanians (resident on work permits or just some Tom, Dick or Harry from heaven knows where). How is it so obvious? Well, it’s the language, in particular the forms of address, as well as the sentiments and the way in which they are voiced. So un-Caymanian to the core, it’s hilarious. Anyone who has been living in Cayman and been closely involved with its people for decades can see this. So that in no way shape or form are the majority of the comments submitted to CNS on cultural issues such as this (and I’m not blaming them or other news media) accurately reflective of the opinions of the Caymanian people. And if anyone – in particular someone crouched over a keyboard in a drafty shed in Siberia – disagrees with me, all I can say is that you are being very naive.
Siberia is getting more and more appealing.
So no comment on the actual issues then?
I man born yah, I tek wood yah ….
You are the joke. Why don’t you consider the young Caymanians growing up gay in this community that have to deal with such outspoken bigotry from their so called “leaders”. I suppose you would say these Caymanians are being “un-Caymanian”? Crawl back to your little woodshed. You are no longer welcome in the 21st century.
I suggest, 8:42, that you speak to young college educated Caymanians, particularly those who have lived overseas for a while, and ask them what they think of views such as Mr Eden’s. We do NOT support his opinions in any way though he has the right to express himself, of course.
zzzzz…address the issue when you finish whineing…….
I agree that it is vital that we have a Christian in this position. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. However I am not convinced some heathen atheist would be able to tell me what would be a fair price for her.
8:42, you are the naïve one. Could it be possible that perhaps some Caymanians have been abroad to study, experienced other cultures and views, are able to look at something objectively or heaven forbid, are open to change? Ever heard of the word adapting? Society in general must do this if you are to survive and keep with the times. Unless of course, you want to live in the dark ages.
First, who cares.
Second, you are the one being naïve. I just read 10 and can tell they are written by Caymanians. But again, who cares?????
I only read them to see what you were talking about. I stopped reading because I was bored.
And I am sick of self-righteous ‘christians’ spewing hatred.
8.42, very informative. Now what is your point in relation to HRC and human rights in general? That foreigners aren’t entitled to express themselves? Absurd, and in fact probably against human rights…….oh, I see.
i agree with you entirely. It is very clear that we have many who live amongst us who don’t like us and don’t consider themselves to be a part of this community. It makes you wonder why they are here and why not return to their home, which we assume meets their standards and facilitates their beliefs. From my perspective, as this is my home and I love it, it feels much like how I am sure the French feel: that there are people amongst us that do not subscribe to our beliefs, don’t like us and are prepared to strap on bombs and blow us up if need be. Before it gets to that, if you really don’t like us and our views or way of life, as flawed as it may be, maybe you should find somewhere else that works for you. If you manage to change Cayman, no doubt you will look to leave anyway, as chances are it will no longer have the very thing that brought you here in the first place.
10:56
“i agree with you entirely. It is very clear that we have many who live amongst us who don’t like us and don’t consider themselves to be a part of this community”.
The very issue at hand with Mr. Eden’s vile speech is exactly that you idiot, allowing others into the Community, they want to be here, YOU and other morons don’t want them.
So who has the problem with acceptance and integration? YOU.
And for the record, there have been gays since the beginning of mankind, everyone knows gay people, many have family members that are gay, get over your Stone Age mentality or get onboard so the rest of the Island can progress.
I think you need anger management and English language lessons. I wasn’t speaking about gays at all. I was speaking about those that continue to address Caymanians as if they are beneath them – and apparently you are one of those. I could care less if you are gay or green. I do care how you speak about those of us that are from here or those that have lived here and love it and call it home. if you don’t like us or who we are, as you found us, then you cant integrate. Find somewhere that you can!
You mean one’s written English regresses over time if you live in Cayman, Bobo?
This is the most off-point comment and load of bunk that I have ever read in a CNS comment? How do you know? Got a crystal ball? And, so what – should the global community not have the right to comment and stand up for basic civility?
Everyone has a right to comment in a public forum…
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”
The year is 2015, not 1992. Many of those chiming in with disgust (like myself) are card-carrying Caymanian voters that are on the proper side of history on this topic.
I support Mr. Eden in his stand against changing the marriage laws in Cayman to accommodate Rachnovich and his partner. If these two gentlemen wish to live the gay lifestyle that is their business but they are climbing up a wrong tree if they think we are going to allow then to change our laws to suit them. i heard the UK Minister saying on TV that his Government will not force the territories to change the laws on marriage. We appreciate that but please bear in mind that we had already decided that we would not make such changes. Human Rights Committee does not have the authority to make any change to any laws in these islands and it is about time that they understand this. They are entitled to make their suggestions but we do not have to take their suggestions. Sometimes I think they believe that we are all stupid, as a matter of fact they say that about us all the time, but if they have been here long enough they should realise by now not to take our meekness for weakness. I believe The Cayman Islands has allowed more nationalities to come and live here than has been done in other territories and everybody gets on reasonably well but every now and then we have these upstarts come along and expect us to change our way of life to suit them. Mr Rachnovich’s contract was not renewed, so why should we change our laws to allow him to stay on here. It is ludicrous of him or anyone else to expect that. Other persons have had their permits refused, contracts terminated, and the person either gets another job, move away or do whatever they choose to do. I don’t know if he has gotten another job but he has caused so much problems here he will probably have difficulties finding another job on the island. one of the excuses that has been thrown out about if a partner is taken ill or dies that the other partner does not have the authority to take control of their assets/ or able to make decisions if one should become incapacitated but that is not entirely so. . They can each make a will in favour of each other or take out a Power of Attorney to cover every conceivable scenario. surely the both of them being lawyers should have no problem drafting these documents. I suppose they prefer to change our laws than simply do that. All of you out there disagreeing so vehemently with Mr. Eden’s stand needs to understand that there are many of us who agrees that our marriage laws should not change to accommodate these two or any other who choose to live the gay lifestyle. They have the right to live like that but we have the right to say our laws will not be changes to suit them. If they are so uncomfortable with that, then they know what options they have. It is not about hating them, I hate no one, it is about preserving our laws on the sanctity of marriage as between a man and a woman.
Tolerance and kindness towards fellow man is dead….
When was it alive?
Read a few history books… it never existed.
These are the views of the Deputy Speaker and a few years back the present Speaker described Hindus as “savages”. This was in pre Shetty/Health City days. Very embarrassing for a territory that likes to think of itself as part of the modern world but the hope is that the younger, more educated, less Old Testament influenced, Caymanians see things differently.
The Deputy Speaker speaks for the first time in a long time about a matter which is of no real importance to us as a community.
Mr Eden, I think that you should be speaking out about things related to the Lodge and corruption and law breaking by the people that you associate with.
Speak as often as you can. As a Christian member of the LA, you should be telling us all about the shenanigans going on behind closed doors.
Speak up man lest you be tarred with the same brush.
Only one person needs replacing and that’s Eden. I have lost all respect for him over this. Clearly his views are not unbiased and therefore he is not suited to his position.
Mr Eden is right Its time for Mr Smith and all his friends who have come here with your anti christian rhetoric to leave this place and return home to be with like minded folks. Amen
The hate that you, Mr Eden and others like you spew is pure anti-christian rhetoric. Strikes me as a self-proclaimed ‘christian’ you have no clue about the real preachings of the bible – just your own twisted versions of it.
The same bible of which you speak of clearly states that homosexuality is wrong….
So is adultery and theft, but you “Christians” seem to be very selective in what “sins” you consider valid. Stop this nonsense!
It’s easy to be bold while we are still alive and on earth, but a day is coming to all of us where we will stand before a holy and righteous God to give account of ourselves.
I do not think that this is a time to be frivolous with the gift of life, (especially considering how short it is).
God has already provided salvation in the gift of Jesus, His Son. We would do well to avail ourselves of such an eternal benefit.
The very second that we leave these mortal bodies it is too late for repentance. At that time, all atheists will become believers in a split second. That is not a position I would like to find myself in and I would urge my fellow human beings to seek out salvation for their own precious souls.
So are you saying that to Mr Eden and the other twisted people on here? Because its not their right to judge – only God’s – they seem to have forgotten that and they’re wrong if they think that God wouldn’t hold them accountable for their twisted and sickening views.
Bobo, look to yourself first. Make sure that you are safe then be concerned about others.
I believe that there is a God, but don’t follow any particular religion because not all religions can be the right one, so I will not put all my eggs in the same basket. I am a good person and have done no harm to anyone. If your so called God punishes me for not beleiving in Him in particular, then He is not the sort of God I would like to worship. A God has made us intelligent beings, it is in our nature to question things that we do not understand. I don’t understand how people can blindly put all their heart and soul into a religion, why should I be punished when I die for that? The only reason I can think anyone would have such a strong faith is because they are scared of what will happen to them when they die. To me, fear makes some people super religious, especially those who spout bible verses at others!
And just for the record, for those who believe that homosexuals choose to be Gay, I feel sorry for you. For those who believe Gay people are evil, you need to think about what evil really means. Evil is a strong word that nobody except those ISIS terrorists, murderers and rapists should be given. And even those people probably wouldn’t have been born evil. Ok, I get that you don’t understand homosexuality, but unless you are homosexual it’s unlikely that you will get it. That doesn’t mean that what they are feeling isn’t real, because YOU don’t feel that way. But the fact that there are miliions of homosexuals all over the world should give you enough evidence that this community are not choosing to fall in love with someone of the same sex. They feel it in their bodies, so why can’t you homophobics accept that God has made them that way just like God has made you the way you are. It’s in the bible, I know, but the bible is very old now. The bible says a rainbow means God won’t flood us again because back then they didn’t know how rainbows were formed. It’s an old book, it has its flaws we have progressed now and I am sure God would be pleased that we have progressed. He’ll be smiling down congratulating us on how tolerant we are. How do you know this isn’t a test? He might be testing you to see how tolerant you are, in which case a lot of people on this island have failed it! Open your eyes and see the bible for what it is.
Good luck with that. You don’t have to convince me. I am not your judge.
Would be nice if more ‘Christians’ took that approach.
Eden said “the people in Cayman had not wanted to hear about homophobia and misogyny at the serious of lectures he had organized while at the law school”. No, they don’t want to hear about it, they want to ignore these things and carry on doing them.
I doubt he even knows the meaning of mysogyny.
stupid is as stupid does…….
What would Jesus do? Probably not shelter behind parliamentary privilege like a coward.
Mr Eden fails to realise that for a teenager afraid to come out of the closet his words and his type of attitude can cause tremendous pain and in some cases the contemplation of suicide if not worse. It is his type of thinking that poisons people’s minds and plants seeds of discrimination. His first speech was shameful, now he doubles down trying to distract and deflect. Once again, disgraceful, absolutely disgraceful behaviour by a so-called community leader.
I fully support Mr. Eden. We need more men like him, not the spineless jelly fish individuals who did not endorse his contribution in the LA.
Dear Tony, I actually like you generally, but when you say things like “an admitted atheist who does not believe in God” you might want to use the Google machine a little more often before speaking.
What’s the problem? That’s what an atheist is, someone who does not believe in God. Clear as daylight.
Google was likely programmed by homosexuals and Muslims. The Good Book is the only search engine old Tone needs.
Is that the Bible App on his I-Phone?
Radical Christianity is no different or better than radical Islam.
Come off it. We all know Christianity and Islam are different religions entirely. How can there be no difference between them?
My God is better than your God.
Ummm – its actually the same God in Islam and Christianity – its the role and relevance of Muhammad and his teachings that’s the issue (Muslims even believe in the existence of Jesus and that he spoke the word of God). Not dissimilar towards Christian views of the Old Testament, frankly. To say they are entirely different religions, or involve a different God, just shows how ignorant some people professing to be believers are of their own religion let alone others.
Sorry friend, you could not be more wrong. Read the story of Cain and Abel and you will see the Muslim and the Christian.
Having said that, God in his mercy stretched out an arm of forgiveness to Cain, but he was having none of it.
Does anyone read and understand their bibles these days?
This is tongue in cheek I hope considering they are two different interpretations of the same thing, as is Judaism.
I think you’ll find that Judaism was the first monotheistic religion, which then gave birth to Christianity and Islam. The Greeks, Romans and Vikings etc. had many gods, it’s now been trimmed down to just one… so they’re getting closer to the real number…
It is worse. It is more pervasive. You are correct that it is such a distortion of the faith that it is an abomination to it.
Replace with a Christian? How come Anthony there was a MLA member previously in office that beat his wife, cheated on his wife, everyone knew about it yet turned a blind eye. Its also ok, for adultery through the Island, rape on women and children and all your government gives is three years??? This is what you should be fighting against. How sickening 3 years for a rapist, yet two adult individuals who are of the same sex you basically think they are evil?? You have your priorities all screwed up and this is why this Island is the way it is…
Eden should be replaced with a Christian perhaps, if religion has anything to do with government.
If the good lord has tolerance and is kind and the only one who may judge, who the hell is this offensive idiot in who is advocating defense human rights, just as Jesus is said to have done? He and others like him, if they want to act in a Christian way, need to focus attention on real and prevalent human rights issues like the battery of women, the sexual abuse of children, the systematic denial of proper education to children, the abuse of trust by Churches for monetary gain of those who run them. Being gay is natural and occurs in many many species. You cannot fight that fact. The forbidding of it is only a recent invention added by scribes in the middle Easter the whim of the scholars but not Bryant Devine decree. If you take the bible too literally you miss the the whole point.
Pointedly, if you take a religious text drafted over time to codify a considerate and respectful life amongst a populace and twist it to espouse hatred, how are you different from Deasch/ISIS?
“Being gay is natural and occurs in many many species”…….well I’m waiting for the day when animal planet show two male apes boning each other.
Here you go then:
http://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.M0dc258fbaca733ca20c364421ffda67bo0&w=169&h=105&c=7&rs=1&qlt=90&pid=3.1&rm=2
From Wikipedia: “Bonobos, which have a matriarchal society, unusual among apes, are a fully bisexual species—both males and females engage in heterosexual and homosexual behavior, being noted for female-female homosexuality in particular.”
Google is a great tool. Of course, full of unfortunate contradictions to cherished personal prejudices.
I have seen two roosters.
Just like Islam. We “christians” rules this country and our opinions have to be followed.
Disgusting . . . . .
Eden….it’s the “Human” rights commission, not the “Christian” rights commission.
Eden is as big an embarrassment as could ever be!
If Germany in the 1930s had a “committed Christian” and a person who “did not disrespect” the people of Germany in charge of human rights, would the Jews have fared any better?
I am sure this short scene from the TV’s The West Wing has appeared in these comments before… But always worth another watch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1-ip47WYWc
Everyone reading these comments needs to watch this clip
Sheen shining the light.
“If a man would follow, today, the teachings of the Old Testament, he would be a criminal. If he would follow strictly the teachings of the New, he would be insane.”
-Robert Ingersoll
Bodden Town called.
They want their idiot back
More likely Bodden Town called and asked if George Town could keep him.
which one?
Tony your time was up many moons ago, but this highlights the fact that you are stuck in a very dark age. For the sake of progressing the society please step down, quickly!
People came here to visit and reside here due to our unique way of life yet seems that most wants to change it to where they came from. Don’t they know if they change Cayman to their way of life then Cayman would be no different that elsewhere.
Mr. Eden you have every right to defend and protect your way of life for you and your children children’s.
That actually is a very good point.
Trying to defend stupidity and ignorance as being unique never ends well.
Serious question: have you considered living somewhere else where you would be more comfortable? A place where human rights are respected, and you would not have to look down on the elders of the society you are a part of? That way we would not have to feel all this animosity towards you.
11.00 Animosity has no place in a Christian nation I am told. It would appear it is your problem, not mine. Mine is ensuring I get freedom of speech, the same right you have, and a basic human right. You trying to stop that?
People have been coming to Cayman and changing it since the first settlors landed, you do realise that don’t you.
Christianity had never touched the shores of Cayman when Colombus sighted it, but your ok if it your change right lol
such a selfish people
Anyone who just came here and sees this would think that we live in the time of the crusades, dark ages, Spanish inquisition and the like. There should be a new rank created in the LA, that being the “under the benchers”, a fitting place for regressive thinking dinosaurs like Eden.
I bet his explanation of the difference between sodomites and homosexuals is a hoot!
Can he tell us how aircraft don’t hit the firmament?
Gays have to continuously depend on heterosexual relationships to continue to exist through time. They cannot continue to exist on their own. Period. That is explanation one. Secondly, this is not a natural bodily function but abuse of body parts. This so called sensation is a natural body function for comfortable excretion only, but now abused to reach another high. We continue to try and justify this. There is no justification apart from the convenient explanations by those involved. Furthermore, what is being gay? What defines that really? Because you feel a certain way? The good lord has so much patience and tolerance for this world. This is a sign of the end of times.
CNS, yet again I find myself searching in vain fro the ‘Moron’ button.
Don’t repress it any longer. That closet must be stuff by now cutie-pie.
All sex is unnatural.
If it’s any good..
You’re mind is as warped as a Muslim extremist.
I can’t remember ever reading a comment on CNS that matched this one for rank stupidity.
I must say though, I am intrigued by the reference to ‘comfortable excretion’ and would love to have that explained to me.
For all you Christians using Apple products promoted by their gay CEO, be very careful, the longer the use these devices, the more chance there is of you becoming gay.
Ah! The HRC is just for Chistians!!! I get it now. Not for Humans at all!! Going to be starting the Jewish, Hindu, Buddist , atheist and Islamic Rights commission just so everyone has rights protectors….oi, wait that’s nearly all humans. Is that why it’s the HRC and not the CRC? So confusing. And what about gay rights?
can’t you read? gays have no rights
he is clearly suffering from “foot in mouth disease”
time to hang up your suit now and retire to the beach I thinking
I support mr Eden and he is tilling the truth
Jordanian
He cant be tilling Jordanian, he prefers to plough. And coming from a man who seems to have nothing to do but sit in Camana Bay drinking coffee and smoking cigars all day, intimidating whoever you can, that’s pretty rich.
He doesn’t look well. Maybe something is wrong with him and it is making him say horrible things he would not have said many years ago when people looked up to him.
Bad AIDS maybe?
Is Eden brave enough to spout this hatred where he can’t claim parliamentary privilege?
You raise an interesting question in regard to the matter of “parliamentary privilege” and what Mr.Eden said. There is an assumption by some (and the chairman of the human rights commission appeared to go along with it) that Mr.Eden would (like in Britain, for example) have fallen foul of the law and faced police prosecution were he to have said what he said outside of parliament. The difficulty with this is that Cayman does not have the so called “homophobia” laws that Britain has, and while there are laws against speaking in such a way as to generally disturb the peace (which I noted CNS printed at least once) I have to wonder whether given the reality of the Caymanian public’s overwhelming stance against the homosexual lifestyle what Mr.Eden said would constitute a breach of any present law. I’d be interested to learn more from others on this matter. Would he have faced prosecution?
of course not…he’s a caymanian…….
Hmmm…this is gonna be interesting.
Surely many here on CNS will take issue with Mr. Eden’s stance, however, we are supposedly meant to be pursuing the ideals of a democracy. Let us explore that quickly.
E.g. Britain and the USA are essentially governed by people that represent the majority of their values. Therefore, if tomorrow half of the US Congress was replaced by Saudis, or the House of Commons replaced by Russians – we would likely see a breakdown in the generally accepted code of values.
Obviously religion is the outcast of acceptable values today, however, such a stance is hypocritical and an affront to the very essence of democracy.
Unfortunately, many have convinced themselves that to uphold religious standards is undemocratic, however this is an impossible and indefensible suggestion.
Surely no democratic call for the uplift of any given body of ideals, customs, traditions and yes religion could ever be regarded as undemocratic.
Therefore, if the majority of people who Mr. Eden represents (Caymanians as a collective) also wish to forward these values, then who is anyone to say it is wrong to do so?
If that is not undemocratic then I don’t know what it is.
I guess we will have to put this issue to a referendum as well!
– Who
😉
*The bold secular and liberal charge of the western “developed” world can never be regarded as the default standard for everyone else to accept. To do so is the height of anti-democracy.
So can people vote to own slaves? Would that be democratic? No of course not because for democracy to exist we have to accept that people – all people – have certain basic rights – the right to personal freedom being one of them. Homosexuals are not asking for approval of their lifestyle they are asking for acceptance that it is not the place of the law to oppress their personal freedom.
Civil partnerships.
Now, let us move on.
*By the way, one may find his or her self in a higher legal position than that of a traditionally married person with a civil partnership in certain situations.
Whereas that may be welcome by some – what then?
I trust you will be first in line to campaign for the discrimination against married heterosexual couples when that day comes.
– Whodatis
So, assuming you are not simply being argumentative for the sake of it, to extend that logic if the majority of people in Raqqa are up for beheading people, including fellow Muslims who do not ascribe to their specific version of Islam, shooting at random members of the public in foreign countries, blowing up airliners, stoning women to death for adultery, pushing gay men of high buildings, burning people alive in cages …then that’s democratic and defensible, and can be given some form of moral equivalence with the UK and US?
Extreme example to make a point, but it would appear to be the logic of your argument – that the majority is right simply by virtue of being a majority. Your postings frequently have an anti US and UK element to them … but wehat would you say to the gay Caymanians amoingst us? That they are evil and have no rights, simply because the majority of born Caymanians (at least purportedly) say so? Really?
“Caymankind” is taking off its white hood.
Nobody told Tony that Atlantis Events is building the new cruise piers yet?
Mr. Eden has now further disclosed his hatred & hidden it behind the front cover of the Bible. People can at least now see what hatred looks & sounds like , in case they missed it before.
If Alden was a leader he would have had the decency to reply to the HRC letter. Instead he relies on the Sweep It Under The Carpet Law (2014 Revision). Pursuant to s.4 of the Law, Alden can envoke the power to ask everyone to move and look the other way. If no-one asks again for a period of 90 days then the issue is officially goes away. He last invoked that power with Ossie was in Driftwoodgate.
Too many people come here, stay here, enjoy life here, but believe they can run down the natives and castigate them and nothing happens. Someone needs to put them in their places. When it happens, hell break loose, and the natives are chastised.
Indeed, it never fails to amaze me, I mean the brazenness of folks who come to live here in order to enjoy a better lifestyle and then seem to positively delight in blowing their mouths off denigrating the people of Cayman and their beliefs. (And I’m not just talking about some of those delusional characters scribbling away on those twilight zone editorials in that daily U.S. paper, either.)The irony is that if others were to do likewise in these jokers’ own native countries they would be booted out pronto. The patience of the average Caymanian towards the loutish (to put it mildly) behaviour of so many foreigners in their midst is nothing short of miraculous.
So there are no Caymanians in the LGBT community here or elsewhere around the world?
So instead of removing his foot from his mouth he stuffs his whole leg in!
wow, the gift that keeps on giving……………
So no freedom of religion here then……
This is why Cayman has a terrible education system akin to the rigor of teaching in parables at sunday school at even the highest university levels. Christians have become club-o-crats and have taken over the whole educational system. Whenever an expat teacher from an accredited university with critical thinking skills comes along, they suck out the marrow like parasites, and then kindly find a way to gang up and get rid of the contributing teacher. Very disgusting to have lived here for over 30 years and see it happen time and time again. If a brotherly christian makes a mistake, all is forgiven, because one corrupt hand washes the other. All in all, we have some very dull and dogmatic administrators in charge who should be given grammy awards for acting smart to continue the ignorance they are self-perpetuating. They only hire people as dumb as themselves or dumber so the whole system is stuck. It would take generations to unravel the stupidity and nobody is even starting.
So, no Caymanian teacher has a degree from an “accredited university” or the capacity for “critical thinking”!! So typical of the anti-Caymanian commentary on CNS. In “over 30 years” of living here you still feel that way – yet you still stay here!! Do you really know any Caymanian teachers? Or any Caymanians at all for that matter?
and lets not forget they seem to have a penchant for employing sexual predators as evidenced by the three known or reported (and I bet there are more) incidents over the last 18 months.
Just when you thought he couldn’t get any sillier…………
“Eden said Austin Smith and the broader public should get a copy of the Hansard and read the speech in its entirety”…”Eden said that Raznovich was disrespecting Caymanians and embarrassing the island with his presentations at internal [sic] conferences”
Make your mind up Tony! Are you embarrassed about what you said or proud of it?
We still on this non issue get it in your thick skulls we ain’t changing our laws for nobody. Respect it or just leave marriage is between man and woman period.
As gay friendly as America is even their immigration law does not recognize same sex marriage even if the marriage took place in a state where it is legal. I.e. A US Citizen husband could not apply for a green card for his foreign national husband.
@3:46 – what rock are you living under? Same sex marriage is legal in the USA and in fact a USA citizen can apply for a green card on behalf of his/her same sex partner.
3:46, can I suggest you start reading something called a newspaper and not just your Christian pamphlets, you might actual find out that we are now in the year 2015 and same sex marriage is quite the norm in civilized society.
Yes, Mr. Eden stand your ground and quote the Bible. These same-sex couples seem to be interested in stirring up trouble in the few remaining places that call themselves Christians. The Legislative Assemble should address this issue and make it known to the world that the Cayman Islands won’t be bullied/forced into bowing down to these so-called human rights issues.
And yes Mr. Eden it is your duty as a Christian to pray for such people.
To the extreme far right Church of Goders: On behalf of the more than a Billion more liberal modern Christians, that will not cease in their efforts to defend the rights of the downtrodden, Eden should step down. Cayman has to move forward into the modern liberal era. You don’t have to like it, but it will happen with or without your support.
Why don’t you move then. As far as i’m concerned very few could even come close to Mr. Eden integrity . We are letting in too many want to change Cayman people. Just do us a favor and go back to your own world and pay your taxes .
Mr Eden’s salary and pension are paid from public funds, which means his intolerant statements concern and offend the bulk of the residents of the Cayman Islands, despite the fringe right wing zealots that call into Rooster, and/or send tithes to Anderson Indiana. The demographics of Cayman will continuously change as time marches forward. You will need that Delorean on the Brac to go back to the old intolerant days – please take Anthony Eden with you if you go. You can hold hands like Thelma and Louise on the journey through the time portal.
Stop drinking the Kool Aid, dear. No one is trying to change Cayman’s people. We’re just gently trying to ease your laws into the 21st century.
Its 2015 and we still have to listen or read this patronizing christian spit.
for a Christian, you would think Eden knows the difference from being crucified like Jesus, and his own “being crucified”
this disgrace is blatantly blasphemy, and per the bible he should be stoned to death.
SMH nuff said
but we are caymankind……zzzzzzzzzzzz
another day in wonderland
eden proves that caymanians like him know nothing of true christianity…..
keep digging eden……you are the real embarrassment to the cayman islands
If he has the right to quote the bible, why is he selective in his quotes, I did not see him quoting the bible when the discussion turns to the turtle farm.
But then this man is filled with hatred for anyone not like him.
Maybe he does not realise that human rights are for all humans, ironic that he is trying to get the head of Human rights fired for his beliefs, isn’t.
Eden is the poster child for discrimination
Those that make the most noise on such issues are generally trying to hide something. Me thinks he doth protest too much.
This is why we need a loony bin.
Now that’s funny
We have one Cuckoo, he’s already in it.