Church still pushing for biblical laws
(CNS): Even as hate speech is increasing on social media, the radio waves and public spaces against the LGBT+ community, the leaders of various churches are still pushing back against the Civil Partnership Law. The Cayman Ministers Association has claimed that it “counters the clear biblical, age-old practices and basic biology of human sexuality”, in a response to Premier Alden McLaughlin’s comment that Cayman is a democracy, not a theocracy.
“We believe that the rule of law finds its origin from the Supreme Law Giver as given in the Bible,” said CMS Chairman Pastor Torrance Bobb.
In a statement released Monday the ministers said they were “fully aware that the form of government in the Cayman Islands is a democracy, rather than a theocracy” but nevertheless argued that local legislation should be based on biblical practices.
Pastor Bobb said that both the preamble to the Cayman Islands Constitution and the introduction to the Bill of Rights, which both talk of Cayman’s Christian heritage but are not law, “should still be seen as consequential to legislative actions and meaningful, not mere window dressing that has nothing more than sentimental value”.
He stated that this Christian heritage should influence legislation. “We in the Cayman Ministers’ Association are fully persuaded that we must do all within our power to point people in the way that God has directed us to follow,” the CMA leader said. “We do not see directing people to follow God’s Word as being either demeaning to them in either attitude or action, but rather seeking what is for their greatest good.”
The church leaders, some of whom were involved in a religious social media group that had suggested gays should be hanged “in a loving way”, made no mention of this troubling hate speech. However, the CMA and other church groups’ objections to government providing human rights for LGBT people is fuelling the increase in threats and insults against the community.
The Civil Partnership Bill was passed into law on 31 August by the governor using his reserved powers after the Legislative Assembly failed to support the government’s bill. The civil service has been given three weeks to prepare and same-sex couples are expected to begin applying to register their partnership on 21 September.
CNS contacted the DG’s office and officials have confirmed that the relevant public departments will be ready to begin registering couples next Monday.
Clearly the members of the Cayman Ministers Association have too much time on their hands. Perhaps they should spend some of their energy going out into the community to minister to the poor who are starving, the troubled who are drug-addicted, or those who are battered or sexually abused.
Caymanians and residents of these islands should pressure the CIG to carefully decrease ANY financial assistance to religious organizations in Cayman. The so-called hurricane or emergency shelters should be fully paid for by the organizations that built them. The government should reimburse owners for use when the time comes, and all other types of support should end immediately.
Members of the Ministers Association should learn to support themselves or their flocks should support them so they can attend to the needs of those flocks.
Please take note of the words of our Lord and saviour on this very topic
“Yet she increased her prostitution, remembering the days of her youth when she engaged in prostitution in the land of Egypt. She lusted after their genitals – as large as those of donkeys, and their seminal emission was as strong as that of stallions.” – 1. Ezekiel 23:19
Fitting in today’s current political climate
Why do the CMA members marry non Christians? Under Cayman law, a Marriage Officer is affeliated to a religious group. If the CMA is so concerned about biblical principles they should immediately stop their members from conducting non christian marriages. The law does not prohibit a marriage officer from marrying persons of other faiths but it is surely hypocritical if CMA not practicing what they preach.
The civil registrar is the only person who is not affiliated to a religious order who can conduct a marriage.
CMA care to comment ?
Of course not. You didn’t use the word ‘gay’ in your question so no, they won’t.
If ever we needed to force a permanent disconnection of church and state, it’s now. True christians would not spit out such vitriolic remarks and they certainly weren’t appointed by the public to legislate for us or by God to be judge and jury. That’s his job and I seem to recall several references in the bible as such. He will judge you on your evil judgements just as much as you think he will fire brimstone on those that choose to live their lives differently- each to their own, let God be the judge.
Dear CMA: The Bible says clothe yourselves with love and put away hate.
Why does anyone need church or a fake God? Love everyone, respect nature, the environment, the ocean, wildlife, no one needs a book based on fables to dictate how they should live.
99% of the bible-bashers were either indoctrinated as children by religious families or came to the church while at a psychologically vulnerable time – the divorces, the depressed, the drunks etc, who “all find the Lord” (or other cults – the Scientologists love these categories of entrant) when they are most open to brain washing techniques. A small number marry into religiosity. Almost no-one chooses this way of belief as consenting adult at a time of emotional strength. We should feel sorry for them, but boy do they make that hard.
Feel sorry for yourself.
Cayman is filled to the brim with fundamentalists and right wing authoritarians who have a foundational misinterpretation of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. A select group of persons interpreting the law while clearly having little if any regard for legal principles and obligations. Persons who have formed misguided insular communities where their own opinions are reinforced and circulated and their own beliefs and opinions are valued over the clear and basic principles enshrined in the 2009 Constitution. These persons have somehow lost the plot on relatively simplistic and straightforward concepts like Freedom of Religion and Freedom of expression and have ended up promoting the idea that these freedoms only truly apply to persons and groups who align with their beliefs and thus they believe that those sections of the constitution defend only their beliefs and can conversely also be used to restrict others(while conveniently ignoring section 19 of the Constitution) .
I have to admit it is quite amusing watching Christians craft legal arguments that boil down to:
” *YOU* cannot and should not do that because *I* am Christian and *I* disagree and *my* freedom of religion overrides any other precedent or argument”
It is the reason why in country after country around the world these attempts to create “separate but equal” systems or disallow persons to marry who they want have been struck down, time after time.
There is no grand global conspiracy to enact gay marriage around the world, there is no secret cabal of persons who pull the strings in the dark. You simply have no legal basis for any of this, the bible holds no sway in legal proceedings nor should it(one does not have to be christian to be married in Cayman that fact alone puts a gaping hole in most of your arguments), arbitrary traditions and claims of cultural heritage hold little sway in court and nor should they. The idea that marriage is only for founding a family and having children is as idiotic as it is easy to disprove (infertile persons can get married, women past childbearing age can be married)
The concept of marriage is not owned by Christians nor do they have any right to restrict other’s access to it based on THEIR personal beliefs.
The sooner persons realize that their personal beliefs do not give them legal basis to obstruct and restrict others the sooner we can move on to more important matters.
Plain and simple
CMA are clowns. Stop trying to force people into what you believe. All of you, along with Julianna, Eden and the rest of them XXXX think you’re doing God’s work by being idiots 24/7. With all the crap going on in the world right now, I’m sure God could care less what two consenting adults want to do intimately together. Where were you when XXXX? Or when people have children out of wedlock? Or when spouses have an affair? Or when a couple gets a divorce? Or when grown people prey on children? None of you talk about it because they are the same things that have been happening within your ranks. In fact, these big churches are the biggest sinners; taking money from people, judging those who have different views etc. I’m starting to see that Caymanians are fed up with the church’s crap. I believe in God and I stopped going to church 6 years ago, I can worship in my house, without having to pay tithe and without having to judge others on their beliefs. I fully support the LGBT community because God made them that way, and they are all beautiful the way they are.
I notice CNS changed some of my comments to ‘XXXX’. Fair enough 😂 , I got a bit heated…
CNS: One of them was about an ongoing court case. When it’s over everyone can comment to their heart’s content. I think I’ll be busy.
Fair enough, I understand! Thanks CNS 😂
God Bless Bishop Sykes and the CMA!
Bishop of which church?
Hey where is the outrage from the CMA on the child rapist who gave the child an STD? NADA!!!!
How can you down vote.this comment?
Apologists be real
There are already laws in place to deal with people that do those things to children.
Exactly…..what do they expect the CMA to do about a case that’s been tried in the courts. Unhappy with the outcome? Then lobby for more stringent laws….you don’t have to wait for the church to do it.
You people done get it.
Special rights for special people
No, equal rights for all.
What special rights? Interest free mortgage? Salary raise? Skipping lines at supermarket? What special rights are you talking about?
I must have missed the CMA’s statement on the news to legislate in accordance with Leviticus 19:28 to our law tattoos.
I mean it’s all the word of God, innit?
Personally, I have nothing against tattoos. I do not have any, nor would I ever want one.
Strangely, every employee that I have ever hired that has a tattoo has manifested weird behaviour and I am not talking 2 or 3.
I don’t hire them any more.
Saves me grief and them.
I’m sure the link between all of those people are the tattoos not just your poor hiring choices and judgement of character
Seriously what era are you in the Victorian era?
Yes, you are right. I solved the problem by not hiring them. They get no grief and neither do I.
10:58, that’s yet another form of discrimination……
and don’t forget the releases against Batabano, Braccanal and the general weekly debauchery, hedonism and drunkenness that goes on in Cayman
Their entire website is just dedicated to comical far right talking points about gay people and pushing their fundamentalist interpretation of the Bible
their sole focus on this issue proves irrefutably its not about some principled stance for traditions or christian beliefs
its just an anti-gay crusade
Look for yourself the entire site is focused on one issue and one issue alone going back years with releases and posts about this singular issue
http://www.caymin.ky/
“We in the Cayman Ministers’ Association are fully persuaded that we must do all within our power to point people in the way that God has directed us to follow,”
I’ll follow Yoda thank you very much.
*Follow Yoda I will
This is the way.
The way that is.
More sense than Pastor Torrance he talks
10.07
Luke: Master, moving stones around is one thing. This is totally different.
Yoda: No. No different. Only different in your mind. You must unlearn what you have learned.
Luke: All right, I’ll give it a try.
Yoda: No. Try not. Do… or do not. There is no try.
Worst sort of sky fairy people. Go play with your imaginary friend in your churches and homes, but don’t shove your fictional characters into my life choices.
Don’t impose your confusion on me.
That’s the point… WE DON’T. You bible bashers do and instead of us being silent (which you would prefer) we speak up and say, leave us alone.
Your comment could cause harassment, alarm and distress. Someone might also decide to send it to the CoP for further consideration.
They’d need to start by providing some evidence that the sky fairy is not a fictional character….
That had nothing to do with the comment causing harassment, alarm and distress.
Like your “god” harassed the 42 teenagers who called Elisha bald by sending bears to kill them?
Maul them. The Lord sent the two bears to “maul” the children not necessarily to “kill” them. The story shows the power of curse.
The NIV: As he was walking along the road, some boys came out of the town and jeered at him. “Get out of here, baldy!” they said. “Get out of here, baldy!” 24 He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the Lord. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys.
Unfortunately for you that is not how the law works.
The Cayman Ministers Association speaks for only a minority on Cayman. They’re a vocal minority — but they’re still just a minority. They do NOT represent the majority — we who DO want tolerance, acceptance and equality for ALL — exactly as guaranteed by the Constitution. Gay domestic partnerships are HERE. They will NOT be reversed. Gay marriage is coming soon too. HOORAY. Guess what? Cayman will be better off for it. You folks at the Association will find something new to hate — seeing as hating seems to be your defining characteristic at the moment. Shame on you. You are not true Christians. (Go ahead and vote against me all you want, but it won’t change the truth of what I said.)
I do not think that a single member of the Sodom & Gomorrah voted for universal destruction.
Is that a secret society of some sort? How do we sign up?
If you are in, you know you are in.
“We believe that the rule of law finds its origin from the Supreme Law Giver as given in the Bible,” the association said.
I don’t believe that, and get this … I don’t have to.
Like the vaccine?
These guys are like vegans and CrossFitters, only worse.
Come on, nobody is as bad as vegans.
So you’ve never met a raw dieter….
I like the part about putting witches to death.
There are sad days ahead for these Islands.
From a religious standpoint we are on the road to hell.
From a human perspective we are showing very little in tolerance.
I walk the line between both arguments. I see the religious aspect BUT only in the context of same sex marriage. I see nothing wrong with civil unions.
My fear and that of others I have spoken to is that this is a precursor to same sex marriage which could put some pastors in a bad position where they could face legal issues from dyning marriage to same sex couples.
From my perspective I just don’t want this to turn deadly. Those comments I heard are very disturbing. There is no way to hang someone in a loving way.
Peace and love to all.
My finak request is that we make this about people not God. Too often this becomes an attack on religion not realizing maybe its that person interpretation of religion.
Peace out
Good luck with that. There are two sides and a fence.
The wrong side and the fence belongs to the devil and the rest you know.
I appreciate your balanced opinion, thank you.
For clarity, marriage is a civil entity. It’s foundations are not in the church. The church merely facilitates the legal aspect of same. I’m not aware of any person (just in my opinion) who would want to be wed in a building that is not welcoming of that union.
Separation of church and state is necessary. Conduct the legal aspect of the marriage in an appropriate facility and go ahead and celebrate one’s religious beliefs in a church after if one so chooses.
The register that is signed is almost always a municipal civil document, and minister/church logbook. The service part, in the fear of God, is supposed to add an element of solemn certainty to the whole enterprise, but more often than not, the marriage fails anyway. CMA can spare us the moral police family unity lectures when each marrying side in Cayman often has 2-3 kids from previous casual encounters.
Has any Catholic priest faced legal problems for refusing to marry non-Catholics?
Has any Baptist minister faced legal problems for refusing to marry atheists?
You can’t just walk into a church and say “we want to get married” in most religions unless you are a member of that religion and in whatever good standing the priest or minister requires.
Go see if the Seventh Day Adventists will marry Muslims.
This argument keeps coming up and makes no sense. Do you not notice that NO MINISTER IS EVER REQUIRED TO PERFORM SERVICES FOR PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF THEIR FAITH?
How is it that you suppose they have been getting along by denying marriages on the basis of religion, but you don’t think they will be able to deny them on the basis of sex?
Nuisance! If I could afford it, I would bring a civil suit against the church leaders collectively for breach of the public peace and inciting violence; they are the ones rocking the boat at this stage, not the LGBT.
I think even God is sick of unnah narrow mindedness. He gave us all free will, yet you hang on to a book that has been interpreted (it’s original meaning changed) hundreds of times and try to tell us it is verbatim. Why does it not talk about Lilith? Because she was her own person and refused to be Adam’s meek companion, your book vilified her and portrayed her as some evil being – same thing you are doing now.
Civil Partnership implemented, please get over it honestly. It is so boring seriously!
“I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires.” — Susan B. Anthony
How about…. No?
want religious laws? There are some lovely countries in the middle east that fall right in line in with you.
My advice to the fellow gay community is to publicly ouste the many gay hypocitics that knock down their church doors on Sunday but… do all within ??? The other days.
Religion trying to remain relevant lol
Why is it so hard for the CMA to understand?
You can’t ram your fairy tale down our throats. If you want to live your life according to a nonsensical fantasy, fine. Knock yourselves out. But it’s your business, no-one else’s.
Where do you get off on the idea you can impose your drivel on the rest of us?
You just did that exact thing JTB.
The gay movement has become bold and vocal and changed 500 years of precedent, you must feel very proud of yourself.
Why is it so hard for you to understand that people don’t like that?
CNS: A minority that has been historically discriminated against has asked for and received equality in the issue of marriage. They are brave, yes. All new laws change precedent, some in small ways and some in large – such as ending slavery and giving women the vote. Sometimes precedent needs changing and the fact that you don’t like this one is utterly irrelevant because unless you are gay, it doesn’t affect your life.
What is anyone imposing on you.
You’re free to go to church or not. Believe what you like, or not. Marry the person you love, or not.
How does allowing a minority to enjoy those same rights that you already do, affect you in any way?
This need to control other peoples’ lives would be disturbing under any circumstances, but when it’s driven solely by the wishes of your imaginary friend it’s frankly pathological.
Dear CNS,
The CMA’s recent letter to the Office of the Premier (which surprisingly you do not appear to have reproduced) indeed referred to s. 1(2) in the Constitution, which is of course the backbone of Cayman’s legislation. S1(2) “should therefore influence legislation”, as the letter said, an important point which you appear equally surprisingly to have denied.
The constitutional section 1(2) says: This Part of the Constitution .. recognises the distinct history, culture, Christian values and socio-economic framework of the Cayman Islands and it affirms the rule of law and the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom.
“This Part”, as stated, refers to the whole of Part 1 of the Constitution, the entire Bill of Rights, Freedoms and Responsibilities, and s.1 is entitled “Guarantee of Rights, Freedoms and Responsibilities.
It’s good and necessary to get the fundamentals right – as indeed the CMA letter did, and your report did not.
You ain’t no lawyer bruv
Nicholas, you knew this day would come. You cannot fight ravening wolves in the flesh. Retreat, tool up spiritually and focus on your relationship with God.
You will be fine.
And the deafening silence on the suggestion to hang people? Still not comment on that right?
Did you not hear about the guillotine on the island? I shit you not.
Ask the governor.
Bish Nick, what does your good book say again about adultery, stealing, honouring thy father and mother, coveting?
Who is it that is supposed to be stoned again? Women?
Does it say do onto others as you would have done into you?
Are we to take the book verbatim or not?
But why aren’t you ranting about people eating shellfish or working on Sundays/Saturdays, or adultery Rev Sykes? What about violence against women, or child abuse even?
*crickets*
I know Mr Sykes slightly. He is a nice man with a wonderful family. I, like many others, have never been able to understand his sermons because he is very confusing in the way he speaks. Whatever, the thing that really saddens me is this that a very bright man like him is associating himself with basket case fundamentalists associated with rinky dink clap hands here comes Jesus “churches” that if he were living in his native country of England he would NEVER have anything to do with, simply because, like him, they hate the idea of equal rights for gay people.
I’m glad to hear that he is a nice man, but he is an anomaly that perhaps you might try to explain. His church is not listed on the Church of England (CoE) website anywhere that I can find. Outside of England, the CoE community is known as Anglicans, and we have an Anglican church in Cayman. How does Bishop Sykes fit into the CoE hierarchy?
I have heard vicious rumors that his church was started by white English expats who wanted a church service like they were used to at home, and not something that had been passed down through the Anglican Church in Jamaica.
Also, is Bishop Sykes stance on the marriage law in Cayman consistent with the Church of England’s stance on the same subject?
https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2019-02/gs_misc_1158_next_steps_on_human_sexuality_0.pdf
Responsibilities
3. Reviewing, and as needed revising, advice provided by the House of Bishops on pastoral ministry to same-sex couples in Church of England congregations, such
ministry being understood to include prayer offered by clergy and licensed lay minsters.
4. Offering advice when requested to bishops regarding specific cases they are dealing with in the areas of both pastoral care and discipline involving clergy in same-sex relationships, and clergy responding to lay people in same-sex relationships, to assist the sharing of knowledge and an appropriate level of national consistency in approach.
5. Supporting the Church of England’s communication of its approach to this area in the media and in other public fora.
6. Exploring together, and hearing from others, what radical Christian Inclusion, ‘founded in scripture, in reason, in tradition, in theology and the Christian faith as the Church of England has received it.’
1, means in the life and mission of the Church: sharing and disseminating examples of good practice in terms of pastoral care of and engagement with those who identify as LGBTI.
https://caymannewsservice.com/2020/09/shocking-sexual-assault-conviction-sticks/
Care to comment Bishop? When will you march against child abuse, spousal abuse, rape, sexual assault of children?
Why don’t you march?
Two decades ago I spoke about the need to have open and honest dialogue about the type of country we wanted to be and the sacrifices that we would have to make in order to achieve whatever goals we set for ourselves. The significant disharmony and thinly veiled resentment that exists today is the result of us failing to agree and put in place policies and practices that are in alignment with our core values.
However, if the “core values” result in discrimination and intolerance, then they are against the law, and simply WRONG.
Everyone’s ‘Christian’ until they’re popping and dropping all the way down west bay road during Batabano….. Cayman is not a Christian country, and that’s the fact. The type of things that go on here are not christian at all, so that’s false. Maybe focus on real issues like the failing education system, unemployed Caymanians etc. Seems like CMA only opens their mouths for the most unnecessary things. Bunch of clowns. If we went independent I can unfortunately see this place turning into a theocracy real fast; a mini Iran…
Ridiculous statement, made frightening by the clowns that actually agree with you.
Your theocracy will be here soon and it will be a man just like you. What will you say then?
I think you misunderstood my comment, I DONT agree with the CMA at all.
Not at all. I am saying that the buffoons that control this world are busy working on their own theocracy and when it happens, you won’t even have a choice.
Since the Compass has gone to a for pay model, and Sandra is going to the pokey, CNS is the only independent journalist site. That is is a huge responsibility. I am afraid for the future of freedom of speech in Cayman. Not that I doubt CNS. Just that I fear Government.
CNS are bloody-minded enough to resist government bullshit. They are the last bastion of free speech in Cayman. Although we disagree on many points, they are damned fine eggs.
Hahahaha
Jerry Falwell, jr. called, he wants to know how many pool boys live in Cayman.
Can these people not read? Please, all Caymanian zealots, just the Bible! Many of the laws in it are completely incompatible with modern civilization.
True dat, I particularly love the one about not eating Kunks, so you might as well take it to the next level and breaks other laws (real ones) and steal them out of season, along with the lopstas and Nassau groupa’s using your illegal speargun.
Then serve it at Sunday lunch after Church.
Let’s just start burning bibles. That isn’t hate speech is it?
I always move them to the Christian Fiction section of Book Nook.
A democratic society cannot be run on biblical doctrines because we will only be repeating the past.
The same antiquated books of the Hebrew Bible prohibit the eating of most seafood, all crustaceans, turtle, pork, advocate beating your (non-voting) women with a rod, and keeping slaves. If CMA spends 100% of its time campaigning against homosexuality, and specifically, male-on-male sodomy (which was legalized 20 years ago), ignoring all other sins of the Old and New Books, and worse: offering no actual redeeming Christian activities and community value, then it’s a fraudulent hate organization and needs to be deregistered as a non-profit. Simple as that. They should be scattering as fast as they can into the tall grass to rethink their purpose, not grabbing the microphone. But their knuckle brains don’t even have enough sense of preservation to realize that.
If you are right, God will pat you on the back.
If not, you are on your own. I am not following you for sure.
Give the churches full marriages. Give everyone else civil partnerships. CP are recognised by governments and the churchy weddings can be put into a book in whatever religions worship building you subscribe to. Separate church and state completely.
The Bible even talks about the separation of Church and State. It’s crazy that these religious leaders cannot understand that. Or that you must love your neighbour, and that judgement is for God alone. I wonder what Pastor Bob Torrence would say if Gays wanted to attend his Church. Would he turn them away? Would he not take the chance to minister the word and show LOVE to them? I wonder how he can lead souls to salvation with all this hate and judgement? I’ve attended his Church in the past and the only thing I can remember is a lot of showboating and hypocrisy. All about appearances. From a long time ago I’ve come to the conclusion that religion is a business here in Cayman. Nothing more. You can guarantee that every Sunday the collection plate goes around.
“We believe that the rule of law finds its origin from the Supreme Law Giver as given in the Bible,” said CMS Chairman Pastor Torrance Bobb.
Oh how cute Brother Bob – you want to redefine what the Rule of Law means?! Seems like a backdoor way to get to your desired Theocracy where you decide what the rules are like one of those Muslim Clerics that you detest!
Sorry let me educate you a little – one of the central principles around the Rule of Law is equality for everyone before the Law.
Another one is that the meek or the mild mannered or the Minority is PROTECTED from the whims of any aggressive Majority.
The religious community in Cayman want to demand a pure democracy without the rules protecting the minority from the tyranny of the majority. Sorry. In the end you lose.
“You can be Hindu as long as you follow the word of Jesus.”
This is LITERALLY how stupid this whole fiasco sounds. We have the right to believe whatever we want. Even the Atheists!
Don’t be daft. There is no message of salvation in the Hindu religion. Why is it that you always get bent out of shape at the name of Jesus. Let me say it again, Jesus.
Remember the Lion King movie..lol. Mufasa!
Its always been their ultimate goal, to usurp the power of the legislature and rule by decree from backrooms in the ‘name of god’
Someone needs to teach the Christians the bible
Well Debbie, I don’t disagree with you. They do wield the sword rather clumsily.
Not to mention that the Bible, 66 books of it (66 really?) are corrupted with the overly-clunky teachings of the Apostle Paul, the self-appointed 13th apostle who supposedly had a fantastic experience on the road to Damascus. I call BS.
Debbie, God is good, not religious in any way shape or form and Jesus is a genuine bloke. Ask Him for yourself.
Someone needs to teach Christians honesty – biggest bunch of lying hypocrites in the world.
“We believe that the rule of law finds its origin from the Supreme Law Giver as given in the Bible.” Which ‘Supreme Law Giver’? Maybe we should adopt the teachings of Islam and Sharia Law or the Torah with Jewish Law? How about the teachings of Buddah? Even the various ‘Christian’ factions disagree on what’s right and what’s wrong – just look at the violent divisions between Catholics, Protestants and the Eastern Orthodox Church in Europe. The only thing the various religions have in common is that they all believe in an intangible supreme leader who they are only going to meet if they head in the right direction when they die. I’ve had the misfortune to see people killing each other simply because they worshipped different ‘Supreme Law Givers’ – it’s not the kind of thing you forget in a hurry and we seem to be heading in that direction here. RCIPS and the government need to step in and put a lid on this before it turns nasty.
If you believe that your God is all powerful and all knowing then why do you question(or her) decision to create people with different sexual preferences? Do you think he (or her)has made a mistake. If God does exist it is far more likely he (or she) knew what they were doing and it is the CMA that has misunderstood Gods true intentions. If CMA and their flock of faithful sheep really believe in Gid then I think they should be very worried. God is likely to be a little upset that his decisions are being questioned and his creations are being subjected to hateful actions.
It’s because we’re given free will because he loves us. So he had to sacrifice himself to us to save us from himself by being born to a virgin.
Imagine your cover up story for cheating on your husband else you be stoned to death ending up creating a whole religion. Wew.
You are going to hear a lot of watered down attempts to contradict you in efforts to respond. Brace yourself for that.
Don’t even bother trying to convince the nut jobs. You are wasting your time using things such as logic and critical thinking. These thinks are far beyond the comprehension of most religious bible thumpers.
Spare the religion and spoil the adult.
Just like afghanistan.
Absolutely no difference.
By the way there is no christian heritage. Like there is nothing heritage here.
No, what we actually need is a complete separation of church and state in this country.
You should have the right to worship any deity that you wish but your religious dogma should never have any influence over legislation.
Unless it forces people to go against their conscience. You can always be relied upon to deliver a shaky narrative.
Civil partnerships don’t force anyone to do anything.
Pastors should not be forced by law to marry gays in churches or else where .why must I as a pastor turn the godly rule the other way around. Yes man to woman and woman to man .that how we came in the world by man and woman not woman and woman.
CNS: Pastors are not being forced to marry gay couples in churches, or out of churches. Quite apart from the legality, I can’t imagine why anyone would want someone officiating who does not approve of the marriage for any reason. There are marriage officers who are happy to conduct the ceremony for same-sex couples.
Exactly CNS. I’d only prefer people who are happy for me at my wedding.
JuJu was at my wedding and was very pleasant. My only gripe was that she ate the last piece of Cassava cake.
Im guessing you’re not gay
Not a chance in hell bobo.
So how is the comment relevant then?
Oh come on, a couple of dissenters never hurt anyone.
This one is always a mystery to me.
Are people really so ignorant as not to notice that nobody – even heterosexual couples – can force a minister or priest to marry them, if the minister or priest doesn’t want to.
Have these idiots actually never noticed that they can’t just walk into a Mormon church and ask to be married if they aren’t Mormon? Or a Catholics one? Or a Seventh Day Adventist one?
Where are these Baptist churches that have been providing marriage ceremonies for atheist couples?
It’s amazing these people are that stupid and remember to breathe.
NEWS FLASH. – nobody can force a church, temple or what-have-you to perform a baptism, wedding, bar mitzvah or any other religious ceremony for people they don’t want to provide them for.
Marriage equality before the law does not require Catholic priests to marry Baptists, Muslims, atheists or anyone else whom they choose not to marry.
Seriously what is wrong with these people?
To Samuel sam “says: Pastors forced to marry gays? You obviously have not taken the time to know the law. Kmt.🙄 Boi, go ‘way!
Replying to CNS,but Ezzard Miller said in the LA ,that marriage officers in one with a congregation,,,so these supposed to be marriage officials here don’t have that if there are not a pastor of a church that has the congregation.
CNS: I’m really sorry but I’m not entirely sure what you’re saying, but if it helps, the marriage officer does not have to be a pastor or have any kind of congregation.
These nutters need to be committed, for the safety of others.
These liberal lunatics need to be committed, for the safety of others.
Have fun with your hateful life, since you only have one we can tell you’re using it wisely.
You know it baby!
Er, science anyone? Your proclivity is your proclivity. Science is science.
When did you choose your ‘proclivity’ to be straight? Can you remember when you made the decision to adopt a straight ‘lifestyle’ ?
Trust me, I had a lot of resisting to do at boarding school. Still have nightmares.
It is my constitutional right to be Atheist in a Caymanian and I will not be treated as inferior or be told to leave my home.
Go to church and worship in peace, but unna hypocrites need siddung. Walk the street and tell me I deserve hell if I don’t convert then go cry victim bout gays turning unna gay.
Don’t want a gay marriage? Don’t have one. Gay sex been legal since 2001 horse done out the gate and died.
It’s clearly NOT a democracy. Its a UK dictatorship.
We’re UK territory. If it’s such a big deal we can just go independent.. but we all know how that would go.
Cliche, but can’t have your cassawa cake and eat it too.
Jim Jones would have liked you!
My favourite part of this whole debacle are people standing up and proclaiming dictatorship and oppression while conveniently forgetting that the people of the Cayman Islands voted to approve the 2009 Constitution which included all of the powers the Governor has at the moment, the ability to draft and approve of legislation, the ability to veto legislation passed by the house and the ability to dissolve the parliament. Its not even as if the results were close or contentious the results for the 2009 referendum is 62.66% for and 36.70% against a giving yes a 25.96 point win.
So the people voted to approve of the constitution and give these powers to the Governor and now we are really turning around and crying foul when they are used despite years of urging from the UK to handle the issue ourselves?
Governors going back to Helen Kilpatrick shortly after she was sworn in were saying that Caymanians should come up with a solution ourselves, Not sure what kind of tinpot dictators give people they are supposedly oppressing 7 years to do something to resolve an issue before stepping but only in Cayman could we approve powers for the Governor, ignore warnings from the UK going back to 2013 and then cry foul when something is done 7 years later,
Some of my fellow Caymanians seem like they will not be satisfied until we gain a global reputation for being petulant children who throw a fit as soon as we don’t have our way
If any of you think a backwater mini theocracy is will be appealing for international financial firms and tourists for much longer I hope you have backup jobs
It only takes one negative story getting traction in the global media for Cayman to lose standing and be overtaken by one of our financial services rivals, and anyone can write and submit pieces to large global publications these days…
Well thought out and very important observation. Cudos.
Why don’t they fight this hard against pedophiles, rapist, women abusers, etc.?
Shhhh. That hits too close to home for too many families. They would rather pretend that the only problem in Cayman is this rampant gay virus boogeyman. Didn’t you know everything bad is imported?
Who do you see promoting rape, domestic abuse and Pedophilia? All those things are illegal what else do you suggest ? You want us to become vigilantes and hunt them down ? How about we play judge jury and executioner would that satisfy your blood lust ? Or are you simply throwing that argument out as a distraction from what’s really going on ?
All Chirches should march in front of the LA for harsher punishment for paedophiles and rapists.
Adultery too. That’s like a hobby for them.
Theocracy has always been their end goal
yup, mainly because they put in themselves in the class of people who will run the theocracy. THEY get to call the shots and make the decisions and bend the rules so THEY can benefit. IMO, its just human nature. We will support most things that we can use to ‘protect’ ourselves and give us more power. The religious aspect of their argument is their tool they wish to wield to climb to the top.