The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune. ABOUT 50 years have passed since Pastor H W Brown gave politicians in the Bahamas the insight that God was involved in the affairs of men. The saga of the Hebrew People as outlined in the book of Exodus was so clearly exposited by Pastor Brown, that the political leaders at that time saw a dynamic parallel between the oppressed masses in the Bahamas and the people of Israel, and even to this day, we call our leaders "Moses" or "Joshua", and vote for any leader who promises to "deliver us". However, there is a point in the Exodus road where we choose to get off the path and head out into the wilderness. The story was about "letting my people go, so that they may serve me", but like the present Pastor at Bethel reminded us at the recent Majority Rule Service, political leaders set us free so that we can serve the political party of our choice. As we survey what is going on during the season of Lent, we need to reflect upon what being free to serve means; especially in a socio-political context. For some very ungodly reason, even some of our spiritual leaders do not know where to draw the line in their political involvement. It is as if the demonising influences that come with political involvement has an unbreakable stronghold in the lives of these "men of God". Some of them seem to do well for four and a half years, but when the silly season starts, we wonder if we really know these pillars in the community. Maybe the words of the first Prime Minister are still relevant, when he reminded the group of Baptist Pastors who had opposed the initial broad scale introduction of gambling, telling them that they did not know their people. He was right, because most of those Pastors remained silent as one of their own was "hung out to dry" by that administration. But the recent events bring forth a deeper question, and that question is one of us knowing ourselves. Much of the present political propagandising has focused on Bahamians "believing in themselves" and this is commendable. However, the true requirement is that "we know what we believe about ourselves" and my submission in this letter is that if you have enough sense, do not allow any politician or religious personality to define that for you. Lent is about reflection and change. Maybe it is time to crucify some of the old habits of convenience that have kept us off the road to our freedom as citizens in our own country. Perhaps this is the election where those who lead begin to understand that it is not about the stifling status quo that most political and religious leaders seek to sustain or become a part of, and the expense of a nation's common sense. EDWARD HUTCHESON Nassau, March 7, 2012.