Churches to push anti-gay marriage stance
Cayman Ministers Association representatives (L-R) Bishop Nicholas Sykes, Rev Torrance Bobb and Pastor Alson Ebanks
(CNS): Local church leaders representing various Christian denominations, including Anglicans and Seventh Day Adventists, are putting aside their religious differences and uniting on a campaign to promote what they see as the biblical basis for family life in the Cayman Islands in a stand against “alternative lifestyles” and same-sex unions in particular. The church leaders are jointly spearheading an initiative “to raise awareness of biblical teachings” and an education programme that starts in September with an island-wide rally at the Lions Centre.
Describing it as a platform for promoting traditional values and fearful of the “efforts to change cultural values”, the ministers and pastors involved said the religious community had been slow at coming together to promote what they are doing already with their individual congregations.
Pastor Alson Ebanks, deputy chair of the Cayman Ministers Association and senior pastor of the George Town Church of God Chapel, said there was a pressing need for a collaborative effort. “The time has now come; God has allowed us to come together to work collectively,” he said.
Although the church leaders spoke about a decline in general of “Bible-based values”, their concern over what they repeatedly referred to as a movement “to effect cultural changes in Cayman from outside the territory” and alternative lifestyles appears to be focussed on the emergence of the debate locally about the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
“This external thrust may be described as ‘cultural colonialism and ideological imperialism’ that is being imposed yet again on Caribbean societies, as a sort of extension of what occurred in slavery,” Pastor Ebanks said. “And slavery was very much an anti-family establishment,” he added, making no comment on the Old Testament sanctioning of slavery.
He maintained that the Christian influence in western culture was being eroded and suggested the moral consensus among civilized western societies had come from his religious perspective, a view supported by the local Anglican representative.
“What we are seeing today in the West is a huge collapse of the Christian basis for society,” said Bishop Nicholas Sykes, rector of St Alban’s Church of England, adding that people felt it would not happen here but it has. Sykes said the question for the church was whether the world would go in the direction of a “sort of immoral morality” and take Cayman with it, or if action worldwide may stall this thrust against Christianity.
With that in mind, the pastors said the local church community aimed to promote a return to biblical values, starting with the September campaign.
Although they claimed they are not confining their concerns to any one aspect of departure from traditional, Bible-based family values, it is clear their target is not systemic poverty, inequity and injustice, violence against women or even the arms trade and war, but the collapse of what they perceive as traditional marriage and the emergence of gay rights.
“Alternative lifestyles include the disintegration of traditional marriage due to the rising divorce rates,” said Pastor Ebanks. “We have been talking about that for a long time.”
Saying he believes that the alternative lifestyle umbrella includes pre-marital and extra-marital intimacy as well as same-sex unions and paedophilia, he raised the alarm that “some of these alternative lifestyles are right there in our pews”.
Pastor Jeff Jefferson, minister for the largest Adventist church here, said that the wider church community has not always made it easy for members and non-members to discuss these sensitive issues.
“We are just getting into the learning curve to indicate that the church stands ready to provide help,” he said, as parents, among others, struggle with the dilemma of alternative lifestyles within their own families and communities.
In the wake of recent abusive language from politicians and others aimed at members of the LGBT community, Pastor Ebanks spoke of the stigma attached to what he referred to as “alternative lifestyles, inhibiting discussion”. But the church wanted to reach out in love and compassion to those who struggle with sensitive concerns.
“The leaders are all committed, nevertheless, to setting standards in the church that are based on the absolute authority of God’s word.”
A recent decision by the Immigration Appeals Tribunal has facilitated the legal acknowledgment, for immigration purposes at least, of same sex unions in Cayman but it has not made any difference to the legal definition of marriage here, which remains a union of opposites sexes.
Despite calls from many moderate church leaders around the world for more tolerance, Christians are increasingly divided on same-sex unions, as well as sexuality and gender issues.
Category: Local News
Here we go again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bible thumping!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What I suggest you three do which will be of more value and importance to the people of the Cayman Islands is to preach about love, compassion, tolerance, sincerity, empathy, forgiveness etc. in your church instead instigating hatred and bigotry. Why do you three, with your congregations, make yourselves of more use to the people of the Cayman Islands and start marching (at least once a week) downtown to protest against more crucial matters that have been produced by mankind’s actions and not something that a person has absolutely no control of like being gay. March to protest the issue of child abuse / neglect, dead beet daddies, the hardships faced by unemployed Caymanians, the high cost of living, the so needed improvement in our education system, the high amount of infidelity, the plights of our young people etc. THEN and only THEN will your particular efforts make true impact on the lives of everyone living in the Cayman Islands. STOP your HATRED and BIGOTRY for God’s sake if not for mankind. Judge NOT that you may NOT be judged!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Against anything that threatens their monopoly of mind control and free thinking of the masses. Get with the new program gentlemen.
This makes me sick, the three stooges or the three unwise men, the coming together of three people who are strongly opposed to two people living and having a relationship together, I’m not gay but please stop this witch hunt your trying to stir up,
Did you ever come together to address child abuse, the father touching his daughter, domestic torture, the list goes on and on , sickening old men , stop it,
Loving others does not and will never mean accepting and agreeing with all that you do. We as Christian have the right and the responsibility to love you without agreeing with what you do. We also have the responsibility as Christians to speak out against what we do not believe in whether homosexuality or any other act that goes against the bible that we believe in. We cannot stop you from living the way you chose but please do not expect us to keep quiet about it. The Christian community has decided to come together to speak out on what we believe but the LGBT group is up in arms about it. why is that? Do you really believe that we should not speak out.? Why it that all of you get so upset? You are pushing your agenda so why can’t we as Christians speak out about it. Yes I have the audacity to mention the bible, which is the inspired word of God. I know some of you will jump all over this so just let me say that greater and more influential people down through the ages have tried tirelessly to destroy this holy book, but to no avail. The bible is still listed on the Guiness World Record as the number one best seller every year for many many years. This God and bible that some of you redicule will be your judge on the last day. I pray that all of you will find your way to God before it is too late.
God is a made up fairy tale made by men to control the weak minded.
Why can’t these three plus others like them stand loud & proud against real everyday atrocities against humanity…mainly the abuse of children then women (the Caribbean region showing some of the highest abuse rates in the world)
Dear Church ministers and Gay Opponents.
I have a message for you both:
To Church Ministers/ pastors: Stop going to government to have laws made against people who don’t see like you! So long no harm is done, people should be given the freedom to live as they please and to marry whoever they want to marry. Meanwhile, as well, you can have Church as long as you please so long no harm is done 🙂
To Gays and the LGBTQ community: This is hard for me to say as a black person. But try to understand that ministers and people should be allowed to discriminate as they please! So long no harm is imposed or basic rights infringed upon, churches should have the right to discriminate and marry male&female couples. If you’re not happy, then simply find and ordain your own marriage officers. But don’t force other people to please your desires! If businesses dicriminate against you, find businesses that won’t. Such is life! As a black person, I have learnt that you can never legislate against discrimination, and if you try you only limit a people’s democracy and take away more freedom.
Religion will keep getting critisism until the time ermerges when people stop trying to credit fiction and legislate their belief fueled by only tradition and fear.
Religion is not the answer it’s the problem.
The Mullahs have issued a Fatwa! They do not represent Christianity, let alone human decency.
Their bigoted cult should be banned too.
That’s a really pretty purple top you’re wearing there Bishop Sykes 😉
But, 2:19, we must give fervent and repeated thanks that he isn’t wearing that awful frock he wears sometimes.
Personally, I find it most liberating not to follow any religion. There is NO proof what-so-ever of an “all mighty being”, so telling a sensible person who doesn’t believe how they should live their life because of your wacky beliefs is insulting.
The fact that the religion these “3 wise men” follow is based on the region they were born, their upbringings (brain washing) and the historical time period they came into the world says it all. I mean if I was to choose a religion to follow it certainly wouldn’t be the recently made up/modern one that is Christianity. I think the make believe “gods” of ancient people like the Mayans or the Egyptians are a lot more fun… JC and his dad are booooring. zzzzzzzzzzz
Dear Bishop Sykes, Pastor Ebanks and Rev.Bobb,
In the past month we have seen no less than four news articles regarding charges of child abuse and child pornography.
XXXXXXX
CNS Note: The two cases you specifically referred to are ongoing court cases. I cannot post any comments about them until the trials are over.
There are, I am sure, many many more cases of child abuse that don’t get reported.
WHY ARE YOU NOT OUTRAGED?
Why are you not protesting the sexual abuse and rape of the young children, girls and boys of these Islands?
WHY ARE YOU NOT PROTESTING?
WHERE ARE YOU BIBLICAL QUOTES?
WHAT IS THE CHURCH DOING ABOUT THIS?
As a Caymanian I am disgusted at the intolerance and bigotry of the majority of the churches on this Island.
You may preach tolerance and love and compassion, but you certainly do not practice it.
Why should there not be equal rights for EVERYONE? How can you condone discrimination against someone simply because of who they love?
How can you stay absolutely silent on the many serious issues these islands are facing?
I hate to break it to you but the institution of ‘marriage’ and ‘family life’ has already broken down in these Islands.
How many mothers are single mothers? How many mothers have multiple children by multiple fathers? How many wives are suffering abuse from their husbands? How many young men….boys really….are supporting their offspring? How many mothers are turning a blind eye while their ‘boyfriend’ is molesting their child?
Believe me……homosexuality is the least of our problems.
Not everyone in the Cayman Islands is Christian, you have a right to your religious beliefs, you do NOT have the right to force those beliefs on other people, nor do you have the right to discriminate against a sector of the population on the basis of who they choose to be with.
Even if someone ‘chooses’ to be gay. That is their choice. Not yours. You don’t get to dictate who loves whom. It is none of your business. NONE.
Now, why don’t you take a page out of the Bible and start treating everyone with love, compassion and tolerance?
Or if you simply can’t stomach that….how about you focus on the issues that are really destroying this Island?
Thank God, Dart was getting boring.
I say when these minister stop making the congregations pay thithing and then we can chat about this issue.
You are a bunch of discriminatory donkeys!!!
Darkness to Light research shows 1 in 10 children experience sex abuse before the age of 18 in the Cayman Islands. Where is the outrage?
“Not everyone can accept this teaching, but only those to whom it is given. For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let anyone accept this who can.” (Matthew 19:11-12)
Here Jesus identifies three classes of men who should not marry women. Taking his categories in reverse order, first, there are those who have made themselves “eunuchs” for the kingdom of heaven, i.e., those who foreswear marriage to better serve God. Second, he mentions those who have been “made eunuchs by others,” an apparent reference to castrated males. But Jesus mentions a third category — eunuchs who were born that way. Some might argue that Jesus was referring to males born without testicles, but this would be extremely rare. Moreover, this interpretation ignores how the term “born eunuchs” was used in other literature of the time.
In the ancient world, including ancient Jewish culture (as reflected in the Talmud), “natural” or “born” eunuchs were not associated with missing testicles. Rather, they were associated with stereotypically effeminate characteristics and behavior (just like modern gay men), and were thought by Rabbi Eliezer to be subject to “cure” (just like modern gays). Moreover, as we have also seen, eunuchs were commonly associated with homosexual desire. (For a complete discussion of the term “born eunuch” and the connection with homosexuality, see The Early Church Welcomed a Gay Man.) As a reasonably informed person of his time, Jesus would have been aware of this common view of eunuchs. Yet he very matter-of-factly asserts that some people are simply born that way. The implication of his statement is profound — God created gay people the way they are! Jesus says so.
It is interesting that we expect the church to only speak to certain topics whilst expecting them to remain silent on topics we would rather them not say is wrong. The fact is the Bible outlines same sex relationships as sinful and therefore the church is obligated to also take that stance. It is their right to share their views on any topic, after all, everyone else has the right to “educate” the public about the topics that concerns them, why is this different for the church? What people are not talking about is the injustice the church and Christians are experiencing when they share their views on topics. They are ridiculed and called haters because they express a view that differs from what some in society say is okay. Does freedom of speech not apply to the church? Do you not become a hater when you are hating on the church?
Get back to stealing money from the poor, damn cult leaders.
They don’t just steal from the poor. They exploit the simple minded too.
It is blatant hypocrisy like this that turn people away from “Christianity” and going to Church. Homosexuality is not a choice. Adultery, pre-marital sex and all of the other sins against the 10 commandments are choices. These sins are accepted in all of your churches…hypocrisy…look it up. Love trumps hate and makes for a better world.
Reading the other comments below, it is clear that HATE is not only against gay people but against ministers of religion who use faith for character and family development.
If you’re going to speak out against hate you also have to speak out against lust and religious beliefs not in tune with reality. Because lust seems to be the fuel-sin that is driving the hate against people who have morals. And unrealistic religious beliefs, the fuel that is driving the hate against people who do not base their morality on authorities alone.
Until folk see the spriritual side to this issue, we will always see folk siding with LGBTIQ community versus the Church. They don’t see the full picture.
And who says being gay is a sin anyway?? I’ve been in church in Cayman all my life. I remember when Divorce was a “sin”. Now that most of their congregations have divorced people, it is no longer on the list of “sins”. Hypocrites. Self righteous.
classic caymankind christianity…..zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Cue the overuse of the words ‘bigot’ and ‘homophobic’. As a hetro i demand the right to use the word ‘gay’ to mean happy and not homosexual! Why does the homosexual community not only promote their lifestyle but also hijack the English language.
I believe sex should be between a man and woman as nature intended and for that opinion I am labelled homophobic and a bigot.
1:18 When you say you believe sex should be between a man and woman as nature intended, do you not also believe that homosexuality is intended by nature?
It happens naturally and is a part of nature. If you believe it isn’t intended by nature and while intolerably forcing your views then yes your’re a bigot and ignorant.
How can any right minded and, yes, God-fearing individual possibly talk about same-sex unions and pedophilia in the same sentence. The first is an expression of love and commitment between two people and the other, well, just ask any child who has suffered this disgusting abuse what the other is. Oh wait though, they won’t tell you because they are too scared to speak out when they have been abused in case they are slapped by their OWN MOTHER for having the courage to tell someone. If this is the sort of “traditional value” the churches in Cayman are trying to uphold then I would suggest that not even God can help this island now.
Please, there is more SIN in all these so call religious churches here and world wide, it would make GOD himself MAD. I am one to believe love one and all and don’t get mix up in other people affairs.
I want to add, GOD made woman/man heaven and earth and everything in and on this planet. On the seventh day he rested , HE DID NOT SAY GO TO CHURCH . You can stay home and rest and end up in heave rather than go to any of these hypocritical churches honestly . All and I mean all religion is just a business . and if you ask me they all have many skeletons in the closet. I say help the needy and poor, live a good life , love who you want to love because at the end of it all we will end up in the same place either HEAVEN or HELL . your choice
A person interprets things according to individual perspective, biases and sensitivities.
Greetings. I do not understand why so many persons are upset with leaders who are trying to uphold the principles and culture of certain countries especially the Cayman Islands. I have a problem with individuals and groups that insist on forcing policy makers to accept and put into law the behaviours and practices of certain people. If your practice is unacceptable then I respectable suggest that you embrace another jurisdiction. There is almost no country in Europe that is against homosexuality. Secondly, there are 77 or 79 countries with anti- homosexuality laws also about 10 governments with laws providing for the death penalty for same sex intimacy. It is up to you..Respect the culture of the Cayman Islands. If you want to “same sex live together ” no one in Cayman will trouble you, but why the law? This is what I am against. STAND FIRM MIIISTERS. WAKE UP CAYMANIANS . BEING ASLEEP iS GOOD BUT TOO LONG MEANS DEATH.(forgive any spelling/s and or gramatial errors)
Anthony Eden for Premier!
End of days are near the forces of darkness are winning
The Ministers Association is just another organization who operate for profit. I have seen for far too long how the churches and pastors just collect money with no accountability to anyone. They can import things duty free just for the fact that they are a religious organization. Why is that?
What really bothers me is that Cayman has more churches than bars and banks put together but most of them find it hard to mentor or take care of a child / children in their community who are considered at risk. Imagine if they actually cared enough to look outside the walls of the church and help someone in need. I don’t think we would have such a problem with the youth if that was the case.
If God can bring you together to fight the LGBT in Cayman, then surely he can bring you together for more useful and productive things.
And people ask me why I became a Jedi.
Jedi scum
Good news, don’t let these Euro fascists force their immoral Godless agenda down your throats.
No one tells them that they should be Buddhist, Hindu or Muslim. What gives them the right to tell people that they can’t be a certain sexual orientation? Love is love, and as a straight person, if two gay people love each other, live their lives happily and don’t hurt anyone in the process, I don’t see what we should discriminate and take away their rights.
You go guys. Make sure hatred wins. That’s what we all need more of.
If the ministers carefully read the both the “new bible” and the “old bible” they would note that there is absolutely no reference in either to condemn same sex marriage.
I am not a church goer, but these men are good and honest shepherds of their flocks.
They are convinced that a righteous God has given everyone a free choice to serve Him or reject Him.
Let me get this straight for you. These men have never advocated violence or hatred toward anyone.
The message is simple. There is salvation and forgiveness from God through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Sin is sin and by God, we are good at it.
We all need salvation.
Smh with so much other societal problems happening on this tiny rock, this is what the church wants to focus upon? How about addressing early parenting, unequal treatment of women, indecent assaults on children and pedophilia. How about focusing the time and energy utilized against LGBT community into some of the other areas mentioned above?
Absolutely ridiculous. It’s funny how they blame same-sex relationships on pedophilia, given that religion has time and again proven to be an institution in which pedophilia manifests, and in which the criminals are pardoned or forgiven.
We live in a modern society in which religion is dying. It spreads hate and is the cause of widespread violence that we see on a day-to-day basis.
And I am sick and tired of the cherry picking of verses by religious persons for their own bigoted agendas.
If we’re going to follow the laws and codes of conduct set out in this fictitious book, let us be thorough.
I don’t want to see any of you sinners wearing clothes made with two different fabrics: “…you shall not sow your field with two kinds of seed, nor wear a garment upon you of two kinds of material mixed together,” (Leviticus 19:19)
I don’t want to see any of you sinners eating shellfish: “But whatever in the seas and in the rivers that does not have fins and scales among all the teeming life of the water, and among all the living creatures that are in the water, they are detestable things to you,” (Leviticus 11:10)
And I certainly don’t want to see you sinners wearing any gold or bling: “I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments,” (Timothy 2:9). YOU’RE A CHILD OF GOD NOT A RAPPER.
Religion causes hatred. We should live in peace and respect of one another’s life choices, and if we disagree with something we should ignore it. Just because someone doesn’t adhere to your belief or way of life does not mean they should be alienated and attacked for it.
Don’t judge. Just love others & love god.
Period.
I am sure these “religious” people only have one agenda….to stop the breakdown of their “power” in the community as free thinking people know what is right. So yes, let them do it and show the people how ridiculous and hypocritical they are!
Maybe they should tackle the problem of incest and the offspring that result. That is a real problem in the Cayman Islands that needs addressing. What they want to do instead is promote bigotry and hatred. Well done Christian leaders. Well done.
-Isme
My respect to the ministers. I know them three well. But my advice to them is to be very careful that whilst you oppose same-sex marriage in the Cayman Islands, you don’t undermine the reality of demonic forces in the Church, quick to spew “hate” against gay people and not the gay sin!
Moreover, overlooking other sexual sins destroying homes and society that are also being done in the Church under a white cloth. The gospel is to be preached against ALL sin, and like Noah’s ark where different unclean animals entered into the ark of safety. So too the Church must be that hospital for ALL sinners. Open to all to cure all from their sins.
Nevertheless … and try not to be religious.. but I am moved to giving my full support to these ministers. Why? Because of certain factors to protect to moral fabric of our country. Like once same-sex marriage is made law in Cayman, that means other evils creep in, like adopting innocent children (who has the right of a father and a mother) being subjected to having to live with same-sex couples as their parents. And then just like the U.S. … they enforce teachers to educated young children about it being morally sound to engage in sexual relationship with a same-sex person. They teach that you make your own moral code as if a country can govern without absolute laws. And the list of dangerous ideas goes on and the cost to the country as well …
Seeing the News, the anti-discrimination laws imposed on ministers and marriage officers in the U.S. has made it hard on them. In some states they are threaten with fines or imprisonment because they don’t marry a same-sex couple (which is against their religious freedom). So I understand when the ministers claim their is some global agenda in persecuting people of faith who hold onto a fix moral code of right and wrong (that bears on their consciences).
The old “I am against the ‘gay sin’ not ‘gays'” argument is truly horrific as a means of self-justifying interfering in the private lives of those who may not share the same views as blind believers as to the provenance of the purported moral imperatives to be derived from the Bible.
“God has allowed us to come together to work collectively”
I think it’s more hate and ignorance that’s allowed you to come together. If it was because of ‘God’, you would have been united in harmony long ago. It’s all self-serving interests been promoted to your sheep under the thin veil of “what God wants”.
Spot on. Well said!
These ministers make me sick. While I hold nothing against an individual having an opposing view, I am unspeakbly disgusted that this is the topic they want to discuss publicly.
What about addressing: widespread adultery, rampant sexual abuse, illegal gambling among a plethora of other “sins” in the Bible.
Like I said, individuals reserve the right to have a view that doesn’t align with your own; however, it would nice if the muted ministries would shed light on other KNOWN and HAMRFUL practices being carried out in the community.
point taken however, what is good for the goose is good for the gander. Several conferences on gay rights have been held (without incident) and with full right to do so and I would not support anyone who said that they should instead focus on STI/STD amongst their community as something more pressing. So, let the ministers speak and stop trying to muzzle them….
A position like that is a veiled attempt to prevent them from having a position…ironic indeed, because you are asserting that your position is the correct position and the crusade that some are on is to gain acceptance. The best acceptance my brother come from within and is not forced down or coerced. One love and let us all love on another as brothers like the bible says…
Refering to homosexuality as an alternative lifestyle and implying there is a problem when nothing is wrong is bigotry. Homosexuality occur’s naturally in nature in animals as does in humans.
Don’t label pedephilia along homosexuality, there is a big difference between two consenting adults and a prepubescent child with an adult.
Why don’t these people focus their attention on at risk youth destined for jail? That would be a far better use of their time and resources. It would also make this a much safer and pleasant place to live.
11:02 Because they need an excuse to defend their filthy religion.
Is this an anti-LGBT campaign, or a campaign to increase church memberships? Both are great, but the latter should be less of a priority as non-christians also need anti-LGBT advocates to lobby for protection against gay terrorism.
Gay terrorism?! Shame on you for comparing acceptance of gay lifestyles as terrorism. I am speechless…for a change!
Does the Ministers Association have the courage to speak out about the other important issues like incest, sexual abuse involving children, domestic abuse, infidelity and the breakdown in the family unit that are rampant issues in the Cayman’s.
No because that would lead to fewer bums on seats in church and less in the offering plate each week. You can’t speak out about what your “followers” are doing and expect them to keep the faith can you?
Infidelity? Are you kidding? Noone can force fidelity.
Starting in September? We need this TODAY!!!
Jesus wept.
…lauighing at the hypocritical church!
Whether pro-gay or anti-gay, you have to stand up for what you believe in.
Or how about we focus on something that matters to everyone like pro-crime or anti-crime?
When the author posts about crime, I comment about crime.
“What did Jesus want? Love and tolerance. How we going to do what Jesus would do? By pushing an intolerant and prejudiced agenda.”
it starts by obey the Ten (10) Commandments… no just a few when we see necessary.
ps. believer