The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

It is a given that morality in public policies and initiatives cannot be legislated. Either one has an innate or adopted moral compass due to upbringing; societal structure and/or spiritual dogma. The basic unit of society is the traditional family... a male... a female and where necessary children. This is what we often call the ideal or nuclear family. It has been said that God Himself created and designed the family.

All of the above may well be the case and I submit that it is but the so-called traditional family and moral compass has been under assault for quite sometime in the wider world, and in particular The Bahamas. With your kind leave I will attempt to lay out the case and to suggest concrete solutions as opposed to simply moaning and groaning.

I subscribe to what one would term “Christian” principles. That is I seek to be more like what I understand to be Christ-like in character and behaviour. No, I am not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but on a daily basis I strive for the mark. As a Christian we are supposed to represent the Kingdom of God right here on Earth and we are to do so with power and authority. Again let me be clear....we Christians do not propose to set up a society based on pure theology and led by a class of clerics as is the case, overtly, in the People’s Republic of Iran.

If as we say that The Bahamas is a Christian nation under God I often wonder why that is not reflected in our daily and national lives. Our political classes have made and continue to make choices on our behalf that fly in God’s face, on a routine basis. The economy has gone South and the so-called leaders appear to be in a panic as to how to rescue the same.

Some of them are proposing the legalisation of medical marijuana. Others are proposing an increase of VAT on real estate transactions over certain limits. Draconian user fees and charges are being implement at the public utilities and corporations. The average Bahamian is already stressed out financially and emotionally due to the inordinate curfews and lock downs.

Thousands of jobs have been lost and are gone forever. The bread lines are still with us and it is unsettling to see the hundreds of Bahamians, et al, lined up outside distribution centres come rain or sunshine. Our national debt hovers around 10 billion dollars and counting. It now takes close to a half billion dollars a year simply to service the same. Economists estimate that out of every dollar collected nationally at least 85% of that goes to debt management (where it exists) and servicing.

Every time the government makes an announcement it is made to announce yet another round of indiscriminate borrowing. This, obviously, is unsustainable. When good men do nothing evil men prevail. We need more individuals who know and reverence The Lord Jesus Christ to hold public office. No, I am not suggesting that only Christians are qualified to hold public office, but it is a good starting point.

We are mandated to be our brother’s keepers. As such we are to ensure as best as possible that all Bahamians of goodwill are able to eke out a livable income based on qualifications and training. This translates into people being offered educational and vocational training across the board. This is a concept which has been embraced by both of the major parties and in particular the FNM under Dr Minnis.

In addition to education there is no more pressing concern than health care. The assorted hurricanes and now the lingering pandemic have vividly exposed the weaknesses and inadequacies in the current system or lack thereof. The PMH is a work in progress. The Rand over in Freeport just can’t seem to get back on track. It is almost as if no one is in charge. The five parliamentary seats in Grand Bahama are held by the ruling FNM, but that island remains in the doldrums and that is where it has been for over a decade and counting.

The government has embraced the gaming industry and medical marijuana trade as economic panaceas. There has been a proliferation in the numbers of liquor stores and night clubs. On every corner there is at least one church and street preachers. These are all playing on simple human nature without any real solutions.

Marijuana has its place in the grand scheme of things But should not be actively encouraged by a sitting government as an economic alternative when we all know of the inherent destructive nature. It has been written that the body is the temple of The Lord and that we should not simply ingest a substance, man-made or natural willy-nilly without conducting a full blown research on the positive and negative implications. Was this done by the Marijuana Commission and may we please see the study?

To allow the legalisation of medical marijuana will gradually open the flood gates towards a relaxation on recreational ganja and then I submit the fireworks will begin. Marijuana is a mind altering drug just like alcohol if not worse. Some say that marijuana has never ‘killed’ anyone. I beg to differ. Statistics show that 65% of traffic related deaths are caused by ‘high’ and/or ‘drunken drivers. Trust me, I am personally aware of the negatives of ingesting a combination of alcohol and drugs over the years.

There are too many web shops and far too many outlets in our inner city areas of New Providence and Grand Bahama. While I am able to ‘understand’ human greed and expectations of hitting a number those who are least able to afford it have become addicted to chasing an illusive dream while depleting what little God might have blessed them with. The operators and their allies in the meantime go laughing all the way to the bank and live outlandish life styles.

If the Lord Jesus Christ truly reigns then we how we call ourselves Christians must stand up and take a stance on economic and societal issues. Now rather than later. The marijuana bill must be shelved. A moratorium on liquor and web operations must be declared and implemented now. No more liquor stores in the immediate vicinity of schools and churches. While it is agreed that morality cannot be effectively legislated we so-called Christians must be the voices of the moral majority.

What else will future governments legalize and tax? Prostitution the way it is done in most European nations? Where women and men of the night sit in shop windows scantily clad displaying whatever they have to display to entice customers? Will an administration apply a tax and how will it be collected? Will VAT apply to such transactions? Is it possible that an administration come come up with the novel idea of issuing licences to pop-up churches with the concurrence of The Bahamas Christian Council?

There was a time when homosexuality was frowned upon Big Time here in The Bahamas and worldwide. Not so today. Anyone over 16 years of age is now able to consent to having regular sex or otherwise. Will there come a time when one is able to legally marry his/her pet? All over the world same sex “couples” are being allowed, by law, to adopt children. Two men or women are able to adopt male and female child or children with impunity. Procreation is between a male and a female according to God’s design.

A very vexing thing is that successive administrations have not seen the wisdom in liberalizing Crown Land. So-called Crown Land exists in the hundreds of thousand of acres. Yet the average Bahamian is unable to access the smallest possible sized lot/acreage to construct a modest dwelling or erect a factory or industrial operation. Why? Land is economic empowerment and this, I submit, is the major reason why politicians have failed/refuse to liberalize Crown Land. All of the land anywhere in the world is God’s anyhow, but you’d never know it.

The Moral Majority must start to speak out with power and authority if as we say we represent God’s Kingdom right here on Earth. If all is under His feet and if we actually represent Him, behold all power and authority have been given unto us right here on Earth and for sure in heavenly realms. No ifs and buts.

ORTLAND H BODIE, Jr

Nassau,

June 7, 2021.