What is all this talk about the "Gay Ship"? Why
is it so much of a concern? Is it that some of our spiritual leaders are
concerned about the influence such a large group of homosexuals will have on
our nation and in particular, our youth? They have met to discuss the
propriety of this trip to our shores. Is this a legitimate concern? Yes it is.
However, should we spend so much energy on this subject? Doesn’t it sound
like the experience of the woman who was dragged to Jesus because she was
"caught" in adultery? Jesus, in responding to these angry,
self-righteous men said: "He who is innocent, let him cast the first
stone."
- A TIME TO WITNESS
- I thought that the gospel was supposed to be compassionate and
transforming. Shouldn’t we have made the arrival of the gay ship
another opportunity to witness rather than protest? Why didn’t we show
these visitors a true Christian spirit of hospitality, love, mercy, and
compassion? I thought that when our spiritual leaders met, they would
have discussed what loving strategies they would use to reach out to
these creatures of God. Instead, the pro-gay groups stood alone with
their exciting welcome spirit, posters, and enchanting music. They
proclaimed that our nation uplifts Christian values, but they missed a
great opportunity to show Christ’s love.
Many church buildings are popping up all over Nassau. Is the increase
in the number of church buildings directly related to an increase of the
true Christian spirit or spreading of the gospel? The gospel is
transforming and not merely condemning. While so many of us are getting
angry about gay ships coming to our shores, we are forgetting our own
weaknesses and sins. Too many of our spiritual leaders are living
ungodly lives. Why are we not angry at the very serious problem of
sweethearting? Is it because too many of our church leaders preach every
week after coming out of a bed of adultery? Sometimes their spouses and
adulterous partners are in the same congregation. Do we have the moral
authority to be mad at wrong doing when we are guilty of it? Why are we
so proud of men who have lots of children with so many women? What an
irony!
A few years ago I wrote these words in response to this
very issue: "Where will our national Bahamian cruise ship dock?"
Will we qualify to pull into the harbor of moral purity? Will we cast our
anchors in the calm, peaceful waters of justice and safety? Will we travel
across the turquoise waters of sexual fidelity? Will we leave the ship and
walk down the pink sandy beaches of family respect and unity? Will we eat at
the banquet table of teenage virginity, experiencing the cool, balmy breezes
of positive parental modeling? Will we run in the subtropical sun of personal
integrity? Will we climb coconut palm trees of openness and honesty and drink
the coconut water of truth and sincerity? Will we swim in the comfortable cool
waters of national pride?"
- DO THIS INSTEAD
- Many of our leaders feel that the Bahamas should follow the example of
Jamaica and the Cayman Islands in banding gay cruises. They refuse to
examine the real motive behind this. For example, Jamaica is openly
homophobic. Many Jamaicans have a deep-seated hatred for homosexuals.
Many homosexuals are brutally attacked each week. While Jamaica banded
gay cruises, it has done nothing about its own proliferation of sexual
promiscuity. It has popular hotels and other centers that are known to
promote or house immoral activities. I have also witnessed primary
school children in Jamaica looking into a street-side store bay window
watching a triple x-rated movie on their way home from school. I was
shocked. My message is that before we seek to make others righteous, let
us first examine our own hearts.
Since we are so adamant that we are a religious nation,
than the energy of our spiritual leaders should first be to live godly lives
themselves and to emphasize godly living among all members. They should focus
on demanding that the government of the Bahamas enforce decency laws for all.
They should require that all people, male and females, locals or visitors,
behave in public in a respectable manner.
Please dear friend, let’s start loving instead of protesting. Barrington
Brennen is a nationally certified psychologist and a marriage and family
therapist.
Send your questions to
barringtonbrennen@gmail.com or call 1242 327 1980
