The Tribune

BY DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT – Rev Dr Emmette Weir, interim pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church, has decided to break his silence on the controversial debate on legalising gambling in the Bahamas.

Dr Weir told reporters yesterday he is not satisfied with some of the official statements made on the issue, and felt the need to make his contribution before a referendum is held.

“So far, I have elected to remain silent on this burning issue. Now, in light of some statements which have proved to be confusing and consequently misleading, I do feel constrained to make my voice heard on this most important national debate,” he said.

Stating his personal position, Dr Weir said that he is opposed to gambling in all forms, strictly on religious and moral grounds.

He stated that as a Minister of the Gospel he has taken a stand against gambling ever since the proposal to introduce casino gambling to the Bahamas as a tourism attraction was initiated by the late Sir Stafford Sands.

Prime Minister Perry Christie has said the government intends to follow through with a referendum on a national lottery and web cafes following the upcoming by-election in Abaco.

On the question of the whether Bahamians should be allowed to vote to gamble in the casinos, Dr Weir said that he is personally against it.

“I don’t see why Bahamians need to gamble in the casinos. From an economic point of view, it does not make sense,” he said.

Dr Weir noted that even Bahamian hoteliers have expressed reservations about Bahamians gambling in the casinos.

“There is no need to have that in the referendum. That can be dealt with by government.

“I believe we should try to teach people to be empowered. We should strive to teach our people to be owners. Look at the Miccosukee Indians, they do not gamble but they own the casinos.”

Dr Weir agrees with the position of Derek CO Browne, president of the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands Conference of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas (MCCA), the pastors forum in Grand Bahama, and other ministers of the gospel, including Pastor Lyle Bethel, Dr Myles Munroe and Pastor Cedric Moss “in taking a principled, strong, uncompromising stand against legalising numbers.”

Although opposed to legalising numbers, Dr Weir said that “the powers that be” have a right to call a referendum on such a controversial matter that is having a very polarising effect on Bahamians.

He noted that the Bahamas is a democratic nation, which was established – according to the preamble to the constitution – on the principles of democracy, Christianity and the rule of law,

“A referendum in which the people decide on an issue of tremendous significance for everyone in the nation, is indeed, the highest and most noble expression of the democratic process in action,” he said.

Secondly, he indicated that there is very strong biblical justification for consulting with the people.

“The people of Israel wanted a king, but Samuel did not agree with them. He believed that God alone was the Divine King of Israel. So Samuel called a referendum and lost. Therefore, in accord with the wishes of the people he gave them a king.”

“Therefore, both on the grounds of political philosophy and Biblical teachings, there is justification for holding a referendum.”

Finally, Dr Weir stressed that the church must state its position on the issue.

“It is the historic, prophetic responsibility of the church to take a clear stand on gambling, while recognising the right of the powers that be to call a referendum on it.

“The church, therefore, cannot dare remain silent on this matter of paramount importance at this crucial juncture in our historic development as a people under God,” he said.

“It is the privilege of every citizen to participate in this democratic method of expressing their opinion on this burning issue for the position which obtains at present, a practice which is illegal on the books that is being indulged by many citizens daily cannot continue,” Dr Weir said.