Acting Financial Secretary Johnson: I’m an atheist

As of Wednesday, October 28, 2020

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Senior Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

ACTING Financial Secretary Marlon Johnson confirmed yesterday that he is an atheist, adding that his religious views should not matter when it comes to his public duties.

His comment came after a sermon from Mount Tabor Pastor Bishop Neil Ellis on Sunday which attacked elected officials, including Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, over the continuing COVID-19 restrictions.

At one point the bishop said: “Your one-man stand is killing our economy and it sure doesn’t help when the one in the chair does not believe in God.”

Many interpreted the remark as a shot at Dr Minnis, but Bishop Ellis reportedly told Eyewitness News that he was referring to a senior civil servant, not the nation’s leader.

In a public Facebook post yesterday, Mr Johnson said he is “atheist and a humanist” and has been so his entire adult life.

“While I have always been open about this fact, there are literally thousands of Bahamians who are unbelievers and agnostics,” he said.

“Most choose to keep quiet about it even as they work alongside you, or date you, or sit next to you in church.

“I am fortunate to have been appointed to senior executive positions in public entities under the Christie administration and the Minnis administration.

“I was first hired as a junior civil servant under the Pindling administration.

“I was selected and appointed by then-Prime Minister Ingraham to serve as a counsellor in the executive offices of the IDB in Washington, with an exception made because I did not meet the minimum age requirement.

“At no time did the Pindling, Ingraham, Christie or Minnis administration ever consider my religious views in their appointments to these various posts. These Prime Ministers and their representatives understood the freedoms and privileges afforded to all Bahamians – the very civil liberties for which our forefathers and foremothers had struggled to attain.

“Neither I – nor any public officer that I work alongside – bring our religious views to the execution of our duties. We understand the need for fidelity to the laws of the land and the policies of the government.

“We live in a civil secular democracy. The rights enshrined in our constitution are the foundation of our wonderful pluralistic society.

“We are privileged to live in a country where all opinions can be shared loudly and lustily – and daily on social media.

“It would be a shame if ever we sought to disqualify anyone from any public or private office – or even just castigate them personally – because they openly maintain a creed that does not align with that of our own.

“Such a disposition puts us on a road to tyranny. We do not want to travel that road.”

TalRussell 4 years ago

Acting Financial Secretary Comrade Marlon just confirmed colony's out islanders, aren't as fear God church goin' as before 35 redcoats became House-elected MPs. Shakehead once for Yeah remainder Man's, and the Needle, Twice for Not?

ohdrap4 4 years ago

I did not floss my teeth.

FrustratedBusinessman 4 years ago

Who cares?

sheeprunner12 4 years ago

The Question should really be is ......... Is Mr Johnson an effective FS????

BONEFISH 4 years ago

This is a non story. The real question is this gentleman's competency for this job?

Ask people in the know who really understand economic policy.

John 4 years ago

He failed to mention that his knowledge about Economics and Finance are as much as his Christian faith.

The_Oracle 4 years ago

"Judge not lest ye be Judged" I know i've read that somewhere............. [1]Judge not, that ye be not judged. [2] For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

[5] Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. King James, Matt 7.1,2,5 will suffice.

John 4 years ago

No one is judging. The man has an ‘unbeliever’, meaning he was once in the Christian faith and has since rejected it. The Bible warns one to be wary of such people. Be ye not unequally yoked) So no one is judging. As for his position in government, yes he is a Bahamian and yes he has a right to work, even in govern. But no one needs to judge ment. As long as he doesn’t use his position or power to control of influence others or discriminate and control institutions of Christianity . But no one needs to judge. The man has been quite vocal about his nonbeliever status. But remember, too, Paul received his calling when he was on the road to Demascus, ‘to slaughter Christians.’

benniesun 4 years ago

@The_Oracle judge: to make up one's mind about; form an opinion or estimate about; evaluate.

We judge everything because it is our nature to do so. The best price on something to whether the weather is good enough to carry out some activity. Anyone who does not judge is insane. Would you marry someone without first judging that persons moral character and attributes?

joeblow 4 years ago

@The_Oracle... one does not have to judge when a person states their position.

The moral values of a humanist is always based on what they personally think is right or wrong. In these instances, self interest rules. This is important!

Required 4 years ago

By entertaining "news" such as this, the Tribune actively contributes to distracting the Bahamian public from actually important issues.

JokeyJack 4 years ago

I agree. I've been asking "Where the VAT money gone?" since before election. All kinda stories have come out since then, and all kinda VAT money has been paid by citizens. Yet, the question has quietly disappeared. It may raise it's head again via some candidates currently not in the majority during the election months - but for now - we just have to keep paying it and be content that "it is in the Consolidated Fund."

trueBahamian 4 years ago

Why is there an article on this garbage? Why should we focus on what he believes? If Rupert Roberts said that he is an atheist, are you going to stop buying grocery from Suoer Value?

What we need to focus on here is Mr. Johnson's gross incompetence. That's relevant for our country. Also, people are too focused on some of these religious leaders such as Mr. Ellis. You need to ask, what have they but specifically Mr. Ellis gas done to better this country? Shouting and screaming and carrying on, is good for a show, but how about doing about the work that you are supposed to do. A lot of churches operate in poor communities and don't give a shit about the people in those communities. Pastors complaining about people not being allowed to go to church because of revenue. So, they're prepared to risk your health in the name of the dollar.

Again, this article is just trash. Mr. Johnson belief is not something for public consumption. But, his performance in his chair as Financial Secretary is something we should focus on. He is showing the same gross incompetence that some of the Minnis cabinet is showing.

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