The Tribune

By Rev Canon S

Sebastian Campbell

WE are living in the midst of a revolution and don't even recognise it?

Today we sing lustily "Rise up O Men of God". Remember Mother's Day, no such song was sung. Why? Probably because there is no such concern. So why the demand for men?

The revolution is manifested in the intentional and concerted campaign for inclusive language in our Bible and liturgy. The commandos of this revolution are saying loud and clear, "Let us emasculate the men, after all, they have worked for it, they deserve it, so let's lay it on them. Then sarcastically cry out, "Rise Up O Men Of God".

In the liturgy of the Canadian church it quite plainly refers to God as "Our mother, God." This is now a popular, so-called joke that says, "When God was making man she was only joking." Our modern version of the Nicene Creed has eliminated the masculine gender. Jesus Christ, in some places, is no longer referred to as the "Son of God" but the "Child of God".

What crimes (s) have the men done and why such an unnecessary revolution? Can't our energies be better spent? There ought to be grave concern as to what is presently happening in our secular world. We are doing untold mental and psychological damage against the male imagery with which God has blessed us.

I am of the firm opinion that our government is going overboard in pushing women to the detriment of the male ego. Our Prime Minister glories in every female appointment made by his government. Where do we really balance the scales? Is society really and truly demanding equal numbers of women and men in the higher echelons?

Experience teaches us that when men feel as though they are being "put down" they'll soon "cool out." What in the world is happening in education today? There is a female minister, director, permanent secretary, under secretary etcetera. The overwhelming majority of our principals and assistants are females. Moreover, some schools have absolutely no males on staff whatsoever, while others have only token numbers, maybe one or two as opposed to 20 plus females. When are we going to put the brakes on, or better still, when are we going to intentionally address this crisis and potentially explosive situation. We must remember that men/fathers are breadwinners in society and the meagre salary paid in teaching does not allow them to put much bread on the table.

We have reached the unfortunate point where we believe we can put a feather in our cap whenever we can fill a position with a female. We are misguided in seeing it as a major achievement. It's most unfortunate when the church is also caught up in this craze.

There will be a whole lot of male-bashing again this Father's Day, and probably men have worked hard to earn every lick of it. Many of our children will find it mighty difficult to sing praises to their fathers again this year, and for many there will be no flowers, no gifts, hugs or special lunches. But, oh, if we can only remember, it takes two to tango. Many Bahamian women must take responsibility for creating worthless fathers. With 73 per cent of our children born out of wedlock, some mothers must take the blame for not giving our children real fathers, that is fathers who live under the same roof as their children. We must stop covering up for either side and urge to have homes the only way intended by God, within holy wedlock. It's totally unfair only to bash men in this regard; we must go back to God's way and strive to build upon his foundation for better homes.

We can salvage our present chaotic situation; there is hope. In the same manner that we have gone all out to give women more space and a whole lot of voice in society. We have a ministry for youth, a women's desk, but nothing for men. As a society we must look at the decadence in our male image and contribution, and launch an all out campaign to address the same. We cannot allow our boys to be bombarded only with the female imagery everywhere they turn; they must know what it is to grow into real men and that God has designed leadership in the home and society to such an image. We must plead guilty that society is doing nothing to assist the males to play their rightful roles as leaders. We must make our men feel special and not assist them in worthlessness. After all, don't we do it for the women.

Yes, many of our men have failed miserably, but some have done so with the help of our women. True, men can do better, but cry out for opportunities. We must not play the role of the hypocrite to beat him down and mash him up and then cry, "Rise Up O Men Of God!"