Alden warns against ‘hatred and bigotry’
(CNS): The premier called for tolerance and respect for human rights when he spoke at an anti-gay rally Sunday. Alden McLaughlin told an audience at the religious event, billed as supporting biblical family values, that his government won’t introduce same-sex marriage but he also warned against creating divisions in Cayman over the controversial issue. Opposition Leader McKeeva Bush, however, implied that the current government had already crossed the line with the recent ruling by the Immigration Appeals Tribunal that same-sex spouses can be lawful dependents on work permits.
Bush described the IAT decision as a “weak link”, as he suggested it was a policy decision by government.
Speaking at the event in the Lion’s Centre, McLaughlin explained that the decision was based on the law and applied only in specific narrow circumstances. He said that the IAT ruling had not impacted the Constitution or the marriage law, and Cayman still had the right to hold fast to the Christian concept of marriage between one man and one woman.
A packed audience listens at the Christian rally at the Lions Centre
But he also spoke about government’s obligation under the law to protect everyone from discrimination. He said section 16 of Bill of Rights and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) protects basic human rights for everyone, protecting them from government discrimination against religion, gender, nationality and sexual orientation.
“As a people, we have to be careful of losing the very thing we cherish by being intolerant and inflexible,” the premier said. “I am not here this evening to try to change anybody’s beliefs on either side of this controversial issue. What I urge is that we consider Christ’s teachings of tolerance with regards to how we treat each other.”
He urged the audience of around 700 people, dominated by members of the Cayman Adventists congregations, to step back and ask themselves what Jesus would have done. Noting that he was not a theologian, he said what he knew was that Christianity taught love, grace and acceptance. He said that people had to respect the local culture but respect had to be commanded through example not demanded.
“Just as I will not allow same-sex marriage to be forced upon us, neither will I allow hatred and bigotry to drive divisions between our own people or those who come to live and work here. It is wrong and it is unchristian,” he said, adding that the community could be confident that the Constitution would not be undermined.
Opposition Leader McKeeva Bush speaks out against same-sex marriage at the anti-gay rally
By contrast, Bush was highly critical of the Constitution and made it clear he believed the IAT decision was based on policy – implying it was a political position of the government. He said his party, the Cayman Democratic Party (formerly the UDP), does not discriminate but it would not support same-sex marriage, same-sex unions or allow anything to impinge the local culture. He said the IAT decision was an arbitrary ruling or policy decision and pressed home the idea that the UK is putting pressure on Cayman to allow same-sex unions.
Bush suggested that other problems would “arise now” because of the IAT decision and insisted that the government would not allow a board to make such a ruling if it did not support the policy.
“We have taken the first step as a country. Shame! They say they had to do it by law. Well, what else are they going to recognise by law,” he said to loud applause.
The religious rally, which included a line-up of speakers opposed to any kind of right for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community to have their relationships recognised in law, was organised by a consortium of churches across the island.
No one from the LGBT community was invited to speak at the event, though a very small group of people calling for equality for all peacefully raised banners and rainbow flags across the street from the Lion’s Centre, where the rally was held.
Category: Local News
As a Caymanian who is indeed gay it is so sad to know that we are treated like trash in our own home. In order to have peace and happiness we have to seek lige abroad. Mr. Premier and all you other selfish reperesentatives please stop making this a biblical issue and for goodness sake stop referring to Cayman as a Christian Community !!
No one is to be treated like trash … not even you hon. Nevertheless there is God of love, and he calls us to rise above the earthly understanding of love of mere gratification of self TO a sacrificial love for all that is open to procreation.
I hope one day you see the value of true godly love, suppress warring desires, and flee from sin and the evil one. Jesus arms are open wide and beckons you to come and follow Him. He is the prime example of a love that resurrects into life 🙂
We are all sinners and against that spirit of hate. So my peace be with you. 🙂
aLL UNNA MAKES ME LAUGH this churchman sayin that and a next big man sayin this and the whole time some unna be down watercourse rd and goatyard and down by dog city on a friday night lookin man and drugs to buy and you a man so try go sitdown and hush a lttle bit cause all unna too nasty and lie all unna wouldnt lie i reckon HAhahahahhaHA fools tink people dont know!!
I have debated since yesterday commenting on this article, but obviously, here I am. I wish I was able to see the faces of the people that will take the time to read this comment and see the wheels turning in the heads of my fellow Caymanians trying to guess who I might be. Under the cloak of anonymity, which is sad, I am a very well-known person on this island because of the position I hold in my employment. I’m not famous or infamous, or have any particular reputation (that I know of) I am quiet and unobtrusive and keep a low profile, I have to you see, for I love a person of the same sex and have been with this person for many years. I have listened to the attitudes and comments of my people since I was a child and am aware that they would turn on me like snakes if I made my life public. Ah it’s a sad situation, I tell you. What’s sadder is the fact that so many who speak so loudly against gay and lesbian relationships (And here I want to clarify that I AM NOT alluding to either Mr. McLean nor Mr. Bush, nor any one particular person. I know nothing of either Mr. McLean’s or Mr. Bush’s personal lives) within this community are, and several I know of for a fact – and I stress that this is not rumor or speculation or assumption, it is fact – are themselves not averse to having same sex partners for an hour or for a night, at “gatherings” in the rooms of secluded multi-million dollar homes where the cognac and the cocaine is free and plentiful. All I can do is shake my head in wonder at the hypocrisy, the hate, the double standards. You know who you are. You will not control who I love, and you will not tell me that you will allow this or allow that or not tolerate this or not tolerate that. You may win this battle for the moment, but ultimately, you will lose the war. And even if you do “win” Sir, with all due respect, you have gained no footing nor caused any distress in my household. I daresay there are hundreds of other people like me who would say the same.
You numbnut. “Just as I will not allow same-sex marriage to be forced upon us, neither will I allow hatred and bigotry to drive divisions between our own people or those who come to live and work here. It is wrong and it is unchristian,” he said. Pffft. Whatever, man. You won’t “allow” this and that? And how will you control it? What are you, everyone’s daddy now?
The founding fathers of the USA had the foresight to appreciate that if their constitution was secular, all religions would have the chance to flourish, which is why the US is one of the most religious countries in the world. That the Cayman Islands constitution promotes only Christian values is a major frailty of the document; because it offers one religion (Christianity) dominion over all others, and this is from where all the anti-gay rhetoric – e.g., “marriage is between a man and a woman, and this is the law in the Cayman Islands” finds support. Yes, the original discussions on the construct of the constitution was hijacked by ministers and reverends, who — to the country’s shame — had their way.
Total rubbish – USA was founded on Christian principals by “pilgrims”. Read the Mayflower Compact.. “:In GOD we Trust”
Nonsense.
The pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock in 1620. The Constitution was signed on 17 September, 1787 — 167 years and 5 generations later! Although the founding fathers f the US were mostly religious men, the Constitution they signed was a secular document that separated church and state.
The heavily- weighted Christian constitution of the Cayman Islands was always going to cause bigotry against persons that do not hold to certain “Christian values.”
In God We Trust is not found in the Constitution. The 84th Congress passed a joint resolution declaring “IN GOD WE TRUST” the national motto of the United States”. The law was signed by President Eisenhower on July 30, 1956 – 169 years after the signing of the Constitution! It;’s a catch phrase.
There is no doubt the Cayman Islands Constitution was hijacked by the religious representatives on the committee. Unfortunately, it certainly is a Christian constitution, which will prop-up the bigotry and hatred expressed by Christians against the beliefs and values of other faith communities, and those who do not adhere to their Iron-Age beliefs and philosophies.
It will not be long before the Cayman Islands Constitution comes under fire from the court of human rights.
It seems as though many of the organizers of, and attendees at, this conference have actually forgotten the spirit of the 2009 Cayman Islands Constitution, which does a fairly admirable job of walking the fine line between preserving Cayman’s “Christian” culture and being a secular document that protects the human rights of all people.
The Constitution affirms Cayman’s heritage as “a God-fearing country based on traditional Christian values” that is nonetheless “tolerant of other religions and beliefs.” It expresses an affirmative right for heterosexual couples to enter into marriage, while allowing the government to enact laws in the future that would recognize same-sex unions. Without specifically mentioning sexual orientation as a protected status, it prohibits unjustifiable discrimination by the government against any group of persons, including LGBT individuals.
Some might say the Constitution doesn’t go far enough. Others would say it goes too far. But what the Constitution demonstrates is that you can simultaneously hold onto your historic beliefs and culture without infringing on the rights of others.
The current call for Cayman’s laws to respect the rights of LGBT couples is consistent with these values articulated in the Constitution. Believe what you will, but respect that not everyone shares your beliefs. The laws of a great nation like Cayman can respect others and treat all people equally and fairly, without diminishing Cayman’s heritage or identity.
You cannot have a Christian constitution and protect the human rights of ALL people. That’s an oxymoron. It’s clear from the Lions Center meeting that members of the LGBT community — who want to enter a legal (not religious, I might add) contract to marry– are denied the opportunity by first-century, iron-age Christian beliefs.
They cant prove it.. but you can. It is an individual search and choice; and your decision to accept or reject the being that wakes you from a coma each morning.
not too many college educated folks in that crowd!..
Oh my word! Are you serious? Do we not have more important things in this country to worry about? CHILD ABUSE, POVERTY, EDUCATION – these are the issues we should be holding conferences about! These are the issues that need our attention.
I am not a homosexual, however I am 100% FOR equal rights. Does granting homosexuals the same rights solve any of the larger problems? YES! Because then we can actually focus on the real issues TOGETHER! Honestly, it’s like high school – why do we honestly care if someone is gay, or trans, or whatever? Are we really going to snicker at them, take away their hall pass and tell them they can’t sit with us?! In the grand scheme of things, does it really matter if they’re LGBTQ? It’s not a conspiracy, their sexual orientation is not contagious – they are people who deserve the same respect and rights that any heterosexual person is entitled to!
Furthermore, if you believe people of the LGBTQ community will all go to hell and yadayadayada is that really your battle? How about you use the energy you’re putting into “converting” these people on the aforementioned issues that really have an effect on your daily lives?! It’s infuriating to me that so many people continue to hide behind “the bible” – how about we just love and let live? It’s a simple concept, but it really does work. Honestly, we have too many more important matters to concern ourselves with for the sake of our islands long term sustainability – interfering in the sexual /marital practices of consenting adults should not be one of them.
-LAMA
Thousands of church folk gathering over a god they can’t prove exist. What a mess.
Can you prove He does not exist? To many humble people who have sought Him out, He is more real than you can imagine. To the arrogant who don’t particularly care, He will just let you get on with it. It is your choice, not His.
Just to clarify my use of the words humble and arrogant, I am referring to people who admit they don’t know everything and those that think they do.
10:18. That which can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.
Of course you cannot prove God does NOT exist, just as you cannot prove there’s a porcelain tea pot orbiting the earth. The position of the atheist is that there is absolutely no evidence for a creator of the universe. Now, if you’re going to state categorically that he DOES exist then the burden of proof lies with YOU. Extraordinary claims demand EXTRAORDINARY evidence, of which you have none outside the realm of metaphysics.
I’d be interested to hear what the new fire chief has to say about this crowd of “3000”. The persons responsible for the most recent refurbishment of the Lions Centre announced that it would be able to hold up a capacity of 2000. Someone is not telling the truth here. How sinful of them.
If you count the number of rows of seats, and the number of seats in each row, shown in the photo in the Compass, you come to a number well within the Lions Centre capacity, even allowing for standing attendees. Be charitable – perhaps they do not mean literally three thousand so much as “thousands of people” ie. quite a lot, and more than they cared to count – although I would have thought the number of chairs put out by AI Rentals would be a bit of a clue.
I didn’t realise that it was a UDP event until I just saw pictures in the Compass with green banners and bunting behind the platform. I guess that was to remind the preachers of who really puts the money in their collection plate.
It is not the UDP anymore, it is the CDP and their color is blue..stop stirring unnecessary $hit.
Quack like duck, swim like a duck, must be a duck… don’t give a crap what colour you want to paint it. UDP, CDP, MyPP… still the same bunch of wolves in sheep’s clothing.
Marriage is a socially recognized union between two spouses that has nothing to do with “biblical values” that are based off hatred and bigotry that stem from the bible. To believe in intelligent design is one thing but to legislate laws under that assumption is ignorant and outright stupid. To say marriage is the ordinance of some imaginary wizard is crazy talk.
History has shown people practicing wedlock before christianity and they did perfectly fine without it. These deluded church folk don’t realise their religion is based off martrydom, slavery, rape and murder. Christianity is one of if not the most vile and repulsive ideas that man conjured up.
Think for a second the values conjured up by these goat people who stoned their neighbors and raped children probably molested their own animals and these are the people who church folk acknowledge as the messengers of some wizard who created the universe. Absolute BS to allow a nasty religion like christianity to legislate.
Relax man! In Cayman there is a lot of religosity but little Christian values to be experienced.
All very interesting, but essentially bigoted. Once you’ve established exactly where the Cayman Islands is come and visit us and learn about a different culture. You might well find it quite enlightening, and your perspectives somewhat broadened.
Is there a text of the lunatic fringe American extremist’s speech?
For persons caught up in the same sex notion that people are “born that way” — until recently, I, too, believed that, but a number of stories have been told me about persons whose conversion has totally changed them.
One such person told me her story personally — she had always known herself to be gay, she said, and had accepted that she was gay. She was given a religious booklet to read and pretty soon was studying the Bible herself and was persuaded that her lifestyle was wrong. She was later baptised and just recently got married — to a man! And she did disclose her former Lifestyle to her fiancé who was totally supportive of her as she made her way in her new lifestyle.
So it is possible to change — and those changes for this young woman included giving up drug use, night clubbing, etc. it was a total transformation. And a new life of productivity lived according to Bible-based values in every sphere.
There is hope. If people truly lived their lives in according to Bible principles, they CANNOT go wrong. And what a model society we would become — in all the important spheres — treating others as we would wish them to treat us, being honest in all our dealings, raising our children to respect law and order and in a charitable spirit to others.
That is still possible or all of us, and we can still reclaim our Caymanian heritage.
Repression and shame are two of the most popular fundamentalist tools to bully people into conformity. These are not tools of love and respect.
Interesting sense of priorities here. When RCIPS organised a series of community meetings only a handful of people turned out yet church leaders can pack the Lion’s Centre to the doors over something as petty as this. The message coming from this meeting is that murder and robbery are not only OK but do no harm to society whereas allowing gay marriages (which I admit to having a few doubts about myself) will destroy the very fabric of Cayman Islands society. Next time someone gets killed don’t blame RCIPS for the crime problems, blame those church leaders who are clearly working to their own twisted agenda.
Exactly! Sexual abuse of the children in this country gets no attentions whatsoever. What can be more important?? No crowds or protests demanding harsh laws and condemning such “culturally” acceptable behaviour.
They want to make Cayfest event the “Cannes of the Caribbean”, when in fact the World’s Movie industry must boycott this annual festival until sexual abuse of children issue is properly addressed in this country.
Wow what a twisted evil mind you have. So the next time someone is murdered we should blame the church? Had you attended the rally you would have realised that they spoke about murder and all other sins including child abuse and crimes against children! Why is the LGBT community so anti-Christian? Does it suit your agenda to be that way? is that an admission that you are in fact following a path that will lead this country to Hell
See you there my brother.
9:57 As my comment said I’m not 100% convinced about the concept of same sex marriages but that doesn’t cause me anything like the concern that seeing the church (and I’m CofE if you understand what that means) turn a blind eye to the social ills that are destroying our society does.
Sexual abuse of children on these islands is a fact and it has been for years. Spousal abuse is a fact. Murder is a fact. Assault, burglary and robbery are all part of our lives. But the one thing missing from this picture is any kind of condemnation of these acts from the various church bodies. In fact I suspect that in the case of child and spousal abuse some of the church leaders are not only fully aware of what is going on but might be culprits themselves.
I’d offer these thoughts –
Proverbs 30:12 “There are those who are clean in their own eyes but are not washed of their filth.”
John 8:7 “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone.”
C of E? I understand completely, you attend church for baptisms, marriages and funerals.(Everyone knows that, friend!)
Well, if the moslem population keeps going the way it’s going then 8 children per family should change a lot of human rights. Do people understand that the Koran, Torah, Christian holy books all pretty much say the same thing? We pick portions of the book to suit us. The Cayman Islands are the safest place in the world for gays and lesbians. No one physically does anything to deny your freedom to be with anyone . All they’re saying is no marriage. You could get married somewhere else and kept your business to yourself and no one would be the wiser. Somewhere in the future I believe you will have to. The world looks like they want a third world war? What if we loose? Then all the freedom gone? Will it make a difference? How about sharia law? Lets be thankful for the freedom we have now and stop complaining about the Caymanian people way of life and show respect to the people . IT’S BECAUSE THE WAY WE ARE THAT EVERYONE ENJOYS THESE ISLANDS. Can you imagine living next door to Jamaica ? They will chop you up if you even look gay. Remember the gay ship that landed in Belize? They didn’t like them there either. The people chased the busses with machetes and axes and attacked them. The world is not going to change because of a few expatriates visiting these places. They are mostly christian countries with their set ways. We haven’t talked about gays being attacked or beaten up here. But this has happened here at nightclubs BECAUSE of gays kissing each other to show someone they could. It wasn’t nice for either party but “When in Rome do what the Romans do”, and do it behind close doors, Amen
Our Caymanian leaders made some good points at the rally this week but missed the key issue- our MORAL COMPASS as a nation which is embedded in Judeo Christian values or as we know it in Cayman, the King James Bible of the year 1611.
When Christ was on earth he ministered to all sorts of people. He condemned the sin but accepted the sinner. We must all hold on to our moral compass or it will be a slippery slope to a world filled with chaos. I am sympathetic to the LGBT community and when I was in university many moons ago I had gay friends but this did not “rub” off on me for those folks who are discriminatory, fearful of catching the “gay virus”. We need to approach this thing sensibly – come on folks let’s have a go at it. Truth be told that the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual- DSM III viewed homosexuality as a mental disorder a few years ago. Fact is that we don’t know why people make the choices they do or what chemical composition and mix of hormones are secreted each day in their bodies. We also don’t know what took place in early development of a child- i.e. abusive father or dominant mother, or other psycho-sexual abuse, or even playful lust in an all-girls or all boys boarding school- which was cultivated and blossomed into a sexual preference. We just don’t know.
Fact is that there is no gay gene that any scientist has discovered so sexual preference is basically behavioral / environmental mixed in with one’s balance of male/ female hormones – which each human being is possessed with. We do know there is a general decline in the morality of society. We can all agree that sex and immorality is the order of the day – just turn on the TV or pick up a magazine. Always some skin showing of any sex to get the blood pumping and now quite a few young men are wearing male dresses / male skirts and “man bags”=I suppose the new fashion order of the day. We have all drank the kool aid of folks like Aleister Crowley and adopted a “DO WHAT THOU WILT” code either consciously or unconsciously. And let’s not forget who Mr. Crowley was- a proud Satanist and labelled in the press as “the wickedest man in the world”. Folks I don’t know. I honestly don’t know what it will take to help us hold on to our moral compass. Will have to be the Second Coming of Christ or first some kind of alien invasion (aka visitation by fallen angels) or deep economic crisis – both of which are on the immediate horizon to wake us up.
Just as how I don’t like gay bashing which is un Christ-like I don’t like members of the LGBT community calling them the “new blacks” being oppressed. Throughout the 6000 plus years we have been walking on the face of the earth, there has been countless periods when different races and peoples were placed into slavery. For example the Jews were enslaved by black Egyptians back in BC 1900 for several hundred years during the time of Moses. Yes, people of color have been discriminated against over the years and this still happens each and every day but one major difference remains between the fight for equality between those people of color/ minorities and members of the LGBT community. People of color and minorities are asking for public and private bodies to uphold the moral compass – the KJV Bible of 1611 which has numerous passages speaking out against discrimination, and exploitation of people and slavery even though it was common in ancient times. LGBT members want us to change or alter the moral compass so they can re write the definition of marriage. Folks this is a slippery slope.
A real can of worms can be opened up here. Right now in 2016- most people will be shocked to know that a human being has married his pet goat or pet cow. But with enough time and depravity who knows in 2100 this may be accepted by a huge cross section of people who grew up close – super close with their animals. I suppose with the advancement in technology I suppose we will soon possess the technology to make any animal smart such as a goat, monkey, pig etc. so they can think like a human- and then the match between man and animal would be more compatible. But wait a minute this can lead to human- animal hybrids who may one day DEMAND rights as humans. Then we would really have a party then- trying to distinguish between human beings and animals – hence the general opposition to genetic manipulation in most forms which can erase our very unique identities.
BUT HOLD ON- we can throw away the moral compass altogether and have multiple wives/ husbands, have relationships with under aged kids, suspend the drinking age limit and allow drugs to be used and abused in all of its forms. Let’s have a real party and see where we and our kids end up in 10 years’ time.
OF COURSE NOT!! Just shocking your senses to bring the point home. We need to hold fast to the moral compass enshrined in the KJV of 1611, and never compromise. Jesus accepts the sinner but hates and rejects the sin. When referring to Jesus let’s try and get it straight that Christ will not ask us in Cayman to change his law. He loves all of us and wants us to be a better nation, better people, loving and tolerant with each other until he comes. Let’s keep the moral compass unchanged folks !!!! It is more important than you know or can see right now in 2016.
So Clarence. If Jesus accepts the sinner but hates and rejects the sin, what is wrong with Caymanians allowing LGBT persons to live amongst us but not allowing them to openly engage in their sinful ways? By allowing LGBT to live in Cayman yet hating and rejecting their sin, we are in line with the teachings of Christ, are we not?
I bow to your superior understanding of the King James Version – itself written 1600 years after Christ – because I wasn’t aware of the passages you refer to speaking out against discrimination and slavery – quite the opposite. Perhaps you can cite a few to educate us sinners?
PS Aleister Crowley? Really? He died 70 years ago – think the kool aid was long gone before either of us was born.
PPS As for the multiple partners, under aged relationships, under age drinking and drugs – think Cayman got there some time before anyone was granted dependency rights for a gay spouse, and whilst the Church watched it happen.
Dear Wise Zoltar, reliable earthling Clarence Ebanks has figured out everything (again), including our imminent extra terrestrial invasion plans – I don’t know how he did it this time…recommend total fleet recall of invasion saucers and the goat-mating social crusader transplants! Foiled again by the super intelligence of Clarence!
With corruption endemic, monogomy alien to Carribean culture, child abuse, I have experienced little moral compass in operation. You need to seriously think about judgement day and the phrase “do not judge lest you too be judged”.
Lol. They are too funny. Some of the biggest homosexuals are in church decrying homosexuality. Getting married trying to pretend they are straight. They aren’t fooling the public. How many trips have they made to Cuba? Bunch of hypocrites. When are they going to have a rally against rape, fornication, domestic abuse, adultery, and pedophiles? Oh wait, that’s right they can’t because they committing them too. After what I have learned about quite a number of church members, I stopped going to church. There is nothing Christian in their behavior. Even if they’re not committing those behaviors listed, they are gossiping and backstabbing people.
AMEN spread your message of truth!
Who are you to judge all Christians, when God said leave all judgement onto him.
“God said” , got a youtube link?
I detect a certain about of antipathy on your part towards churches in general, seemingly based on your experiences. But isn’t it better to fight against the things you rail about from within than just walk away?My advice is to begin attending services once more.
Couldn’t afford it even if I was interested.
You lost me at 700. This crowd was no less than 3000 and the CNS reporter who I’m told attended knows this. It’s another attempt to minimize the crowd.
The crowd was reported as 3500. Far more accurate. Heck there were probably 1500 Adventist Alone.
CNS please take the high road and report facts. It’s getting harder to distinguish between you and the Compost.
but that’s even more tragic – 3,500 people turn up for a lecture when there’s real issues that no one cares about
Ok CNS lets report the real stats on how many people were in attendance. There was seating for 3,000 people and every seat was taken with about 100 people standing, so let’s not down play it to 700 mostly from SDA. Christians from churches across the island came out in abundance to stand up for their beliefs on family values. None of the speakers spewed hate speech contrary to what the LGBT was anticipating.
It is all such an embarrassment to these islands.
“The Church still prizes the Moral Sense as man’s noblest asset today, although the Church knows God had a distinctly poor opinion of it and did what he could in his clumsy way to keep his happy Children of the Garden from acquiring it.” ..”the disastrous Moral Sense, the parent of all immoralities.”
Letters From The Earth by Mark Twain (1909)
Andrew Betancourt August 31, 2016 at 10:26 pm (Cayman Compass comment)
Am I the only one who thinks that a $1000 fine for the possession of one bullet is extremely excessive? Court costs sounds like money deposited into the Magistrates retirement fund. The woman was leaving Cayman, not entering it. No mercy was shown here. I’m sending this news article to the National Rifle association in Washington. Perhaps the organization will print it and encourage people to skip the Caymans as a place to be wary of with customs, in and out.
What does it have to do with “family values” even? Perhaps The International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association will encourage people to skip the Caymans as a place where Homophobia is rampant.
Andrew Betancourt — A little misconceived on both counts — the courts are right in sending a strong message about guns and ammunition among travellers entering the Cayman Islands.
On the other part of your post, you may wish to consider the reality before you send an inaccurate communication.
Dah!
Why won’t they send a strong message to those entering this island illegally with fully loaded firearms? It easy to manage law-abiding people, try career criminals who are the real threat to stability in this country.
Where are the Caymans?
In the Caribbean Sea. They are an island group comprising of Grand Cayman and the Lesser Caymans. Some have a problem with the use of a correct geographical name, but that is their ignorance at play.
My mother always told me to be careful about following the masses…..cause that m can fall off fast.
I think the same bible thumpers should read the following article as I believe there are several wolves in sheep clothing in many of their congregations.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3761043/Homophobic-pastor-said-Orlando-nightclub-victims-got-deserved-arrested-molesting-underage-boy.html
And what’s your point??? He is but one pastor. LOL ..
You see you must dig up what you can to find a few outrageous news articles to promote a sin
I dont think he/she had to dig for that. That stuff is everywhere.
It is funny, I never thought that the pro-gay conference a few months ago was an anti-heterosexual conference. I didn’t get to go to that conference because of a scheduling conflict but I was interested in what they had to say and would not have had a fear of information. That is because as an adult I am quite capable of deciding on my own.
I do, however, think that it is important that those persons who wish to raise and guide their vulnerable and impressionable children in conformity with their principles should have the support and information necessary for them to do so.
No you are not capable. A life time of brain washing does not make you capable of making adult choices.
Time for the UK to impose British values on these hicks. The Premier’s cowardly pandering to their prejudice is a disgrace to the Union Jack.
Oh yes – the same day the # 1 headline on BBC is “UK one of most unequal countries” – I guess there are values and then there are values – and if it is UK it is wonderful. Most of this criticism is purely anti-Caymanian, no matter the subject.
“British” values, LMAO. Right!
Yes, I agree. And you should be put in charge. First order of business for you will be to establish exactly where Cayman Islands are, you clown!
Interesting that Bush thinks boards should only be capable of making decisions that government would approve of.
Typing the next sentence would probably result in litigation but if you can’t work it out it would probably be wasted on you anyway.
No, I disagree. Any decision to be made by the Immigration Board that touches on the definition of marriage, as is defined in our 2009 Constitution, MUST be a GOVERNMENT ISSUE!
On that point methinks Bush is absolutely right.
err no genius it is a legal issue as in interpretation of and application of the law!
Any decision would have to respect the obligations under the ECHR which is a higher norm that a provincial constitution.
The Constitution doesn’t define marriage. The Marriage Law does, but only for purposes of determining who may get married in the Cayman Islands.
The following is a reprint of a letter written as a response to a popular TV commentator’s misconceived anti-gay stance and references to scripture. It is informative and in this case relevant….
“….Dear Dr. Laura:
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God’s Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When people try to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.
I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the specific laws and how to follow them:
a) When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev.1:9).The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
b) I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7.In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
c) I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanness (Lev.15:19-24).The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
d) Lev.25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can’t I own Canadians?
e) I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?
f) A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination (Lev.11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don’t agree. Can you settle this?
g) Lev.21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?
h) Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?
i) I know from Lev.11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
j) My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread cotton/polyester blend. He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them (Lev.24:10-16)? Couldn’t we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev.20:14)
I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God’s word is eternal and unchanging.”
[attributed to several people but written by Kent Ashcraft}
Canadian make poor slaves as they all expect dental coverage.
smh … you don’t know the good book nor the historical context of it .. not surprised that you selectively took quotes from the old testament to promote your gay propaganda 🙂
He man. This is YOUR book. Not mine.
You mean like Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13, or is there a special double standard joker rule?
7:41 – If you have a problem with what people quote from a book then I suggest you take it up with the author.
This anti-gay sentiment is straight out of the bible: Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1 26-27, Matthew 8, and Luke 7 as examples. This is the bigotry and intolerance we get when a significant portion of the population believe the bible — a first century document written by iron-age Palestinian peasants who didn’t even know the earth revolved around the sum– to be the perfect word of the creator of the universe, and who decide to live their lives in the shadow of first century thought, philosophy, and myths.
“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things”. 1 Corinthians, 13:11
What bigotry? What hate? I was there in an over 2000 people crowd. I didn’t hear any bigotry nor hate. I did hear the Church calling sin by its name and that it shouldn’t be encourage in our society.
BTW … WERE YOU THERE??? 🙂
Human Rights are about just that…”human rights” and is for ALL humans!
Doesn’t matter if the LGBT community is a minority….in fact Human Rights are largely for minorities as the majority is historically who would infringe on the minority.
The church really has no legal basis for promoting such divisive attitudes.
I am a heterosexual Caymanian…and also well educated and well travelled. I’m often very ashamed by some of the rhetoric from those claiming to be christian while they promote such hatred and intolerance towards people who are different in some way…and the difference is not limited to sexual orientation either.
Thank you Mr. Premier and Minister Panton for your efforts to promote human rights here in our Cayman Islands. It would be helpful for some other powers to do so also.
Like fat chickens fighting over the scraps of a rotting sandwich that was picked clean long ago.
I once say a sign in my world travels – “If you don’t agree with gay marriages, don’t get gay married.” As an educated and well travelled Caymanian, I encourage these same ‘Christians’ to practice tolerance, love and compassion. Maybe in doing so, they may get more ‘so called sinners’ in to worship at their churches. We MUST keep the peace Caymanians. We MUST LOVE ALL not just the chosen few. LOVE conquers all.
I think the Premier felt he was doing his duty by the entire community — the rally was a community event, and he was speaking to the Cayman society in general.
The Cayman society, which the Premier understands better than most, has, however, always been tolerant. You have never heard here of the open harassment that is suffered in other Caribbean societies.
But there is a need for us as a society to stop sweeping these issues under the carpet and to bring them out into the open and in the process to develop the skills to cope with the necessary communication within our own families.
That was certainly one of the objectives — constructive dialogue within our families and communities.
Unfortunately, it seems that the small LGBT community is easily rattled by dialogue, and prefers to label it as a hate initiative.
Please be assured, the churches’ position on Biblical values could NOT possibly include hate. That is just not part of the lexicon or ethos of Christianity.
The Church of England has different views on LGBT. Rev Sykes does not represent COE in the Islands.
Thank you for reminding us of that sad man Syke’s irrelevance to the Church of England in Cayman.
If the Premier understood Caymanian Society better than most we would not have gone down this road! He has turned the Church against his Government, how much longer do you think he will be in power? God gives and he takes away, he appointed all of the leaders and will remove those who are not worthy!
Alden you and your PPM Turkey butterball gang will do anthing to get votes!!!!!! I wonder if unnah but in the PPM national Bird Christmas order in yet I need mi Turkey Alden.
Clinging to antiquated ideas really impairs the Cayman Islands. We already have a territorial obligation to recognize and protect same sex civil unions. That doesn’t necessarily mean that “gay marriage” needs to be introduced immediately, or that the Church of God needs to start performing these services, or that the Constitution be amended. Neglecting to acknowledge our basic civil obligations to recognize same sex unions will be a costly and needlessly divisive exercise. Our waffling herd of career politicians could teach a master class in how to pander to fundamentalists (an increasingly smaller percentage of our electorate) or how to waste public funds (pursuing the loosing side on legal issues). In May we need politicians, that if not intellectually smarter themselves, will at least defer to fiscally responsible opinions from smarter advisors. Smarter thinking would spare millions for greater good exercises like border protection, or missing social services like mental health and drug rehab.
You missed out one: Smarter thinking would protect our “Children and Family Law” from being changed to suit a minority that wants us to be like the U.S.!
How do you figure that the territorial obligations of a British Territory stem from the United States? Surely you aren’t that asinine?
700 people, in a room, being told what to think by a bunch of hate filled idiots, brilliant!
In a room?!!! I can easily see you don’t know where is the Lion Center! You make ignorant comments off the top of your head.
Next time try to attend and educate yourself on both sides before posting foolishness. :/
That’s the best you can come up with? Sorry, 3000 fools in a hall (I drive past it every day).
” I can easily see you don’t know where is the Lion Center!”
You’re English is terrible, get your kids to post for you next time yeah?
Mine’s not much better to be fair!
True Caymanians have always been tolerant and loving people. We have never injured or killed gay people. People who live alternate lifestyle were never a problem to us until outsiders made it an issue by making people’s lifestyle an issue or those that choose that lifestyle want to push it in our faces by demanding that we change our way of life to accommodate their way. Why does Cayman and its people always change what we have to appease everyone? The last persons that did that was in the fable of the man his son and the donkey and we all know what happen there! Gays, Straight and whatever; God, loves you and so does Caymanians. Cayman is not a place for bigots or homophobics we are a Christian community who loves everyone and hates sin not the sinner. We have far too many churches that have made us intolerant. When we only had about 7 churches we were more tolerant and loving to each other. 2003 brought out the worst in Cayman now I can only hope that 2017 brings out the best in Caymanians. Long live these beloved isles “Cayman”.
Except for the Swiss chap who was killed/set on fire in the boot of his car.. Mr. Bise.. he was killed by a chap called Ebanks I believe.. So except for that you don’t harm or kill gay people..
Chad Anglin is the murderer that was convicted and had previous ‘dates’ with Bise. (That is a known fact)
I believe Ebanks was the conspirator that helped get rid of the evidence.
Not sure what possessed Chad to kill him. But I’m pretty sure it was to distance himself from Bise’s lifestyle.
1:39 pm — please don’t try to oversimplify a complicated crime by interpreting it as an anti-gay expression by the society as a whole. That is just so wrong and il-conceived.
11:54 Define ‘true Caymanian’.
There is no such thing as a ‘true’ Caymanian. A Caymanian is a Caymanian is a Caymanian, regardless of whether “they arrived by pain and not plane”,
‘true Caymanian’ – only the good ones (whether they were born here, got status, or permanent residents too)
A “paper” Brit.
“outsiders made it an issue by making people’s lifestyle an issue or those that choose that lifestyle want to push it in our faces by demanding that we change our way of life to accommodate their way”
HOW is asking for non discrimination laws affecting you negatively in ANY WAY? Please enlighten me.
If you don’t want to recognize human rights for all people, regardless of gender, race etc., then you’d better break away from the U.K. as soon as possible and be done with it. Keep in mind though that the majority of you will not be able to survive on tourism and local business alone if the expats leave and take their business & big dollars with them. Also, the UK is no longer a member of the EU, so you will no longer have freedom of movement to go find a job elsewhere.
Religious fundamentalism = intolerance, war and hate. History has proved it and its still happening!
But England voting yes to Brexit – on similar principles, by their own admission – they were fed up with expatriates coming into their country and bringing in ideals the English do not want. England, a prominent member state of the EU NEVER adopted the Euro, kept its British pound and never wanted the European constitution. So its not as if they have set an example of inclusiveness for us to follow. Don’t believe me, drive to Calais and listen to how the refugees are being treated.
Err – Calais is in France, so nothing to do with the UK (well, not since 1558). None of the occupants of “the Jungle”, near Calais (many of whom are being clothed and fed by volunteers from the UK, by the way) are actually refugees – they stopped being that when they entered a safe country (e.g. France). From that point on, they became economic migrants. The French are happy to register them as refugees and to house, feed and clothe them, however they don’t want to stay in France (no idea why – it’s a lovely country – I would love to live there), so they refuse to register with the French authorities, who are then under no obligation to assist them. If they registered in France, then they could apply for entrance visas for the UK, but since many of them are not actually refugees (even before they entered France) and have no existing links to the UK, they are unlikely to get a visa – and they know that, so they persist in their attempts to enter the UK illegally. This is something that they choose to do, they have good alternatives available.
Is the Lyons center funded by the Lyons groups of Cayman? I need to know who never to support or give any money to again.
Don’t you mean ‘Lion’s Centre’?
Ya guess I’m watching too much Empire
The Lions Centre was rented by the organizers how does this become a Lions Club problem for renting its large hall to host a public meeting?
That is some twisted logic and misdirected anger.
Hosting is a choice and an act of endorsement.
I wouldn’t allow my home to be occupied by Nazis nor homophobes so by renting the space for this purpose for the $$$ well then I can redirect my $$$ the same. Lets try and book a pro-gay rally there and see if they rent to us. I wonder………
Dear Alden Wayne & Capn Mose yes but that applies to all those regular voters who don’t support or worship the PPM Regime and could you for the love of God tell your minions and disciples in govt positions and otherwise to follow your so call tolerant views and policy. Thanks!!!! old Buddie.
We are forgetting that we are a dependent of the mother country.!!!
Its the otherway round you big dummy it changed when our Financial industry start making lots of money! Stop trying to rewrite history Bwoy!!
A mother that appears not very good at educating or disciplining her children.
There were 700 cars, illegally parked. Is law breaking one of those fundamental Christian values of which they speak? What was Jesus do?
F. Packer, I noticed this comment a few times as I reviewed the posts and wondered why this side distraction of yours. I finally decided to set the record straight: The organizers did write to the neighboring property owners for parking permission. But in any event, parking goes with the territory, whether it is a Miss Teen event or a church service.
PS — not 700 cars — check the photo in the compass today and you will get a more accurate sense of the number of attendees — and a less personal and more objective report.
Parking on a double yellow line is illegal. Parking in the middle of a roundabout is illegal. Both are dangerous anf stupid. Spin it whatever way you want but they were illegally parked which is a far bigger abomination than being gay.
McLaughlin got out maneuvered by Bush again in the art of politics.
Looks like ppm are losing the church vote every time the Premier speaks on this topic
With over 18,000 registered voters, and 10,000 of those added just in the last 10 years, the predictable church vote pandering is becoming increasingly irrelevant in Cayman Politics. The winners in May will be the ones that fully understand our contemporary voter composition in 2017, which now, thankfully, includes an ever larger block of more cosmopolitan expatriate minds.
You are wrong. Many in that audience are the newer Caymanians you are talking about.
“Ever larger block of more cosmopolitan expatriate minds” is much more succinctly described as “Jamaicans”.
In Luke 17:28-30, Jesus prophesied about the last days before Judgement and His Second Coming. This passage worries me alot. Jesus declared, “They were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building; but on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be JUST THE SAME on the day that the Son of Man is revealed.”
Now … I say Christians can talk about preserving the values of FAMILY as described in the Bible all they want. But here is it: THEY CAN’T STOP JESUS WORDS FROM BEING FULFILLED. If Jesus (the greatest of prophets) said the world will be like Sodom before He comes, Christians can only protest. Jesus means what He says.
So we ought to pray and live godly lives.
I am your father Luke
I worry for you if you are scared about some passage in a 2,000 year old book.
“If Jesus (the greatest of prophets) said the world will be like Sodom before He comes, Christians can only protest.”
Wait… You don’t want Jesus to return? Or you just want to protest against the conditions necessary for him to do so?
I notice that the Reporter for this publication left just after the Premier and Mr. BUsh spoke. I wish she would have listened to all of the speakers but I guess then she would not have been able to write a skewed report. I didn’t count the attendees but instead of seven hundred as stated there were thousands in attendance. As for the protesters, as I drove by it looked like about seven/ eight. They could have come in and listen but I guess if they did then they would not have had anything to complain about. I always thought that the number of persons always commenting on CNS in favour of the gay lifestyle were very few and now I am convinced that they post over and over or else they are mostly overseas posters. The Christian community has overwhelmingly shown where we stand on the issue and this is not a one time event. We will continue to speak out and push back on any agendas out there that goes against out beliefs. We will continue to call on our God to intervene in the lives of all people living among us. If one life has been changed due to last night’s conference then I believe it would have been worthwhile. God bless you all and God bless these beloved islands.
Don’t flatter yourselves that anyone from overseas is in anyway interested in this pathetic, bigoted and hateful place. The world already believes Cayman to be the hub of financial criminality and immoral tax evasion, whether right or wrong, this corrupt group of islands are already damned to hell anyway.
Those who hide behind the bible to justify their revolting views of the world are cowards, hypocrites and the most non-Christian people I’ve ever come across. Get your heads out of the Stone Age and start living in the 21st century you morons.
11:29 am– such vitriol. What is it about Cayman that has filled you with so much anger and hate? Who here in our peaceful islands has hurt you and how? You sound so consumed with hate yourself, that I would really like to know what is behind those feelings?
So you’re saying that it’s antiquated to have morals and value the natural order of things and 21st century progressive to have no morals. That’s a really intelligent argument. Did you come up with that yourself?
A: they were told not to attend and were designated a space across the road.
B: and here comes the crux of it – we know and read all the time of the Jamaican treatment of the LBGT community.. Not saying that Cayman is quite as bad but there is fear. This fear within Caymanian gay people is one fostered by intolerance and lack of understanding and acceptance by their own people and the guiding principles outlined by the Church.. The fear felt by the LGBT Expat community is just as real and even more worrisome – who would want to stand out from a crowd when all they want is to be accepted and treated as one of the crowd? The fear of reprisals, of being discriminated against at work or when applying for work (especially given the number of prominent civil servants and elected officials in attendance) is the sickening part.. the truly scary part.. Who would show face and bring about the ire of the small minded?
Leviticus 19:18
‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.”
Matthew 22:39 And the second is like to it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Well do you? There is no greater teaching and I don’t a jot about religion.. not an iota.. I do agree with this though and it is a guiding principle for me..
11:38 am — “not saying Cayman is quite as bad” as Jamaica in attitudes and treatments towards Gays. Thanks for the half-hearted concession. You are right — you cannot say. I am willing to wager you have been treated like everyone else — as you well should be.
I am not persuaded either that dialogue and more openness equates to a threat of increased hostility and reprisals. In the same way that the LGBT forces were able to hold their recent conference peaceably, so should other points of view have the ability to dialogue. We can listen to both sides and make up our minds. I have faith in the human spirit and mind to arrive at good decisions.
Further, the message of the rally was about the Strengthening of Bible-based values and principles –and at the heart of that is love and compassion. You therefore have no need to fear.
Three Members from the protest attended, you must not have noticed the tie dyed shirts.
“We will continue to call on our God”
If all this was so important i’m sure your wizardly friend should would attended the lions center rally.
Look at all those sheep… So easily led and so easily separated from their hard earned cash.
CNS, fact check: incorrect that it was 700 persons — there was standing room only for the evening — and based on the number of seats laid out, those in the bleachers at the back, and those standing and unable to find seats — the crowd total was more in the region of 3,000.
As Donald Trump knows, hatred and bigotry really packs them in. All of our prospective politicians have probably taken note that in Cayman it attracts a bigger crowd than free food and drink.
Again another slanted report by CNS to support its own position. More of the same from CNS. I would have respected CNS more had it put aside its personal views and just reported.
Christ taught holiness and even empowered us by faith in His willing personal sacrifice.
He did not die on the cross so that we should continue to live in sin.
He died on the cross that we could be forgiven and ultimately delivered.
Jesus saved my life here on earth and for eternity. I am eternally grateful.
Mr. Alden, I do not think that your interpretation of the scriptures is valid.
No disrespect, but these are not the words of a saved man.
Please everyone, get saved while you still have the gift of life. This is neither a game, nor a joke. Where we spend eternity is more serious than a heart attack.
an eternity spent in the same place as people like you is my version of hell. Personally I would rather hang around people like Gandhi in my afterlife.
Free speech is still alive. Clever and wise are two different things.
Heaven for the weather, hell for the company. You are worried about a place that does not exist my friend. No one knows what will become of you when you die but it is not something people should be scared of. Everything dies eventually as it is a part of life. It can’t be that bad because not one person has ever come back and complained.
That whole jeebus dying on a cross is a load of BS you know that right?
I know that if you continue believing your own BS, you will be in a whole world of hurt for a very long time. Please reconsider your position while you still can. This has nothing to do with fishing for thumbs up, down, lols and trolls.
Please get saved.
spineless waffle as usual from alden……
I think telling 700 people something they really don’t want to hear is not spineless at all – shows moral courage if you ask me. We could do with more of that.
Yea thats why he left the rally and headed to “da station”. I am ashamed to say he is my Premier, never had the decency to remain at the event….shows how much he cares. show up, waffle through the speech my assistant wrote and off for a whiskey!
12:23 pm — it is not true that the Premier left. He was there to the end and fully engaged in dialogue on the issues. He was watching and discussing in the “green room” back stage. That afforded him engagement and accessibility to leaders that would not have been possible sitting in the audience. As such, it was much more valuable use of his time.
So was that his twin brother at Da Station ?
Happy to report Minister Archer was not there..At Da Station that is. Not sure he was at the rally either!
10:35 am — just to set the record straight — the Premier’s remarks went over very well — he affirmed that under his watch marriage will always be reserved for a man and a woman under our laws and Constitution. That was one of the aims of the conference — to send a strong message to government that same sex marriage would not be palatable to the population. So mission accomplished.
Unfortunately, an important precedent had already been set by the immigration board decision. Not sure there is much that can be done about that now — unless a future government reverses that. But that move signalled that it was necessary for the people’s voice to be heard.
If you are referring to his remarks on tolerance — that is always worth reinforcing and I personally feel that there is room for the population as a whole, regardless of religious persuasion, to examine attitudes.
However, the type of overt hostility to the gay lifestyle seen elsewhere is absent here in Cayman. And no one knows that better than the Premier.
It’s election time Alden’s flopping for votes!
Do you think he’ll back track on his “work permits for all” fiscal policy? Maybe some of the un- and under- employed will make the mistake of voting for him again.
Until people realize that Religion and the intolerance it brings with it is the problem nothing will change. All the straight Christians can blame them self for having all the gay baby’s…….to be gay is not a choice!
Hey Mac, you imported culture from elsewhere, and have so allowed it to “impinge” on our culture that you now call it “ours”. This Caymanian still holds fast to the original Cayman culture, one that embraces one another and supports all members of our community.
A sad day in our country when our Premier has to remind us not to hate. Isn’t that what our pastors should be doing.
Thank you Premier.
I don’t think that the Premier “reminded us not to hate.” I find it distasteful that this word is used to loosely today — a lack of vocabulary, perhaps?
The Premier made it clear that his government would not support same sex marriage — was that hate speech?
Part of the reason for the rally was to send the message to the community and to government that same sex marriage was unbiblical and therefore unacceptable.
However, it was also to send the message that the gospel has the power to transform and that Christians have a duty to extend local and compassion to all sinners. The church has been open that it needs to do more to change attitudes — in the church and in the community — in the way it models Christ’s teachings.
Here is an expert from Pastor Alson’s speech:
“To model biblical family values, then, means that we must show loving compassion to those who struggle in every area of their lives, including persons who are conflicted about their sexual identity and those who struggle to control their sexual desires and fail to live up to God’s moral standards.
(And, by the way, sexual identity and sexual conduct are two separate issues; let’s not confuse them.) Compassion does not condemn, but attempts to help people find a way to deal with the shame and hurt of moral failure.
Compassion provides practical solutions to single parent families, abused spouses, neglected children, victims of sexual abuse and those in bondage to sexual sins. Compassion neither tolerates sin, nor overlooks the real needs that are at the root of every kind of moral failure. Rather, as the Scripture tells us, “Love covers a multitude of sins,” just as God covered the nakedness of our first parents. So love finds a way to bring hope out of shame and failure. “
I’m still waiting to attend the anti-rape rally, you would think that would be more important than a few homosexuals on island, but apparently not.
Are we to take the churches and community lack of protestions and rallies on sexual violence as a sign that they view it as less important?
Seems to me some closets have their y-fronts in a twist over a small issue, while ignoring the high levels of unfaithfulness in marriage (and they made a promise to God in his house to keep faithful).
So when are these obviously important rallies occurring and can we expect more than 3,000 attendees from the community?
Or are they part of the culture Mr Bush is trying to save?
11:38 – How can they possibly care about the bigger problems when they’re busy using homosexuality as an excuse to spread their bigotry and hate.
The only reason they had this rally is to have an excuse to defend their religion. God forbid they figure out the bible is a bunch of nonsense written by goat people. The moral compass they base their entire belief on will be turned upside down.
A dangerous and digusting thing religion is. Pathetic.
You seem to know a lot.
SPot on!! also let me reminded us that God created a perfect earth but humans (God’s creation) fell into sin and that is the cause of all of our problems. It is quite understandable that persons can wake up one morning and does not know ( according to their feelings) whether they are male or female. This confusion is caused by the fall (sin) in the world that has convoluted their minds. Persons void of any morality or spiritual compass cannot be aware of the effect of sin and depravity and by so will lash out to others who think and live differently. All we can do is be kind and continually pray for these people that they will come down off their high horse long enough to listen.God loves the sinner but he hated sin so much that he gave his only begotten son. So should we.
Unbiblical and unacceptable? So don’t let them in your church. The bible and “biblical matters” should have no place in government.
11:44 am — you are mouthing an Americanism that has not done that country very well — look at the terrible crime and social ills in America today — not a good testimonial to the abandonment of Bible precepts.
As I understand it, the original framers of the US Constitution wanted to separate church and state to prevent what they had experienced in the Old Country in which they had experienced persecution for their religious faith because it did not conform to the state religion. So it was to protect religion and not to exclude religion, which has resulted from inaccurate interpretation to the point today that the original intent has been completely lost.
Same thing for the US constitutional right to bear arms — that was for purposes of war — they had just defeated the British and wanted to have the right to continue that defence. Makes sense in that context — but a total failure in its interpretation today that has resulted in the horrific gun crimes that daily play out in that country.
5:08 Look at Syria. Prime example of the chaos and confusion when you have religion and politics in the mix. Gun crimes in america?
What about the suicide bombers that blow themselves up in the name of their god. What a out the terrorist that carry out mass killings in the name of their wizard? What a about 9/11?
What about the christians who discriminate against homosexuals because of their wizardly friend?
You know the difference between christians who discriminate against homosexuals and ISIS?
None. One however is brave enough to carry out the full law of their wizard.