Devon Dick POET MUTABARUKA, at the re-opening of Liberty Hall in honour of National Hero The Rt. Excellent Marcus Garvey on National Heroes Day, used the occasion to challenge some Christian attitudes towards Rastafarianism. He was asked to deliver his insightful piece entitled "Columbus Ghost" but predictably, gave a lecture on the virtue of Rastafarianism.
He, who lectures at the University of the West Indies, rightly reminded the audience that it was Rastafarians who first highlighted the importance of Marcus Garvey and spearheaded the idea of Afro-centricity.
His thesis was further developed when he mentioned that Marcus Garvey was regarded as one of the best thinkers of the century and Bob Marley had the album of the century. He pointed out the hypocrisy of rating the musical genius of Marley while failing to give credit to the religion that motivated him.
Mutabaruka challenges Christians to do some necessary re-thinking. But it is equally true that Rasta needs re-thinking some of its doctrines. To claim that Haile Selaisse is God when he has denied it seems untenable. If Selaisse is God, where is he now?
Why isn't he the Emperor of Ethiopia? A god cannot be deposed from his throne. Since he is not on the throne, is he alive as Bob Marley sang in "Jah Lives"? When was the Resu-rrection and who are the witnesses?
The Church needs to do some re-thinking. Did the Church blindly follow the crowd and classify ganja to be worse than it is? Dr. Ronald Lampart has been saying for years that our attitude towards ganja has been wrong.
DOWNGRADED GANJA
Interestingly, the UK government has downgraded ganja from the classification of being a dangerous drug while USA courts have ruled that doctors can prescribe the ganja drug as a medicine for patients. But did these "thinkings" come too late after developing a black market and it being a part of the underworld rather than it being decriminalised with the necessary legislation and education. Unfortunately, it is seen as a gateway drug and any relaxation is seen as a licence to engage in drug abuse.
The Church needs to admit that throughout the years it has held some strange positions. There was a time when Isaac Watt's hymn "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" was only used by radical Christians. There was a time when it was seen as sinful for the congregation to sing and the piano was a devilish instrument. Fortunately there has been some rethinking and this has changed.
The saddest attitude and teaching was toward slavery. After the 1831 Christmas Rebellion, a committee was established to inquire into the moral and religious improvement of our slave population since 1823 and to report what obstacles there were.
Several missionaries were examined and only one felt that Slavery and Christianity were incompatible. Most saw slavery as beneficial to the spread of the gospel. In fact, when asked what was the greatest obstacle to a moral living, one anticipated that they would have said slavery.
Instead, the missionaries with one accord said it was slaves going to the market on a Sunday to buy and sell from their plots, after having to slave for six days of the week. They failed to see that it was because of the demands of slavery why the slaves had to engage in Sunday Market.
BECOMES A BELIEVER
Is it possible that as we celebrate another Reformation Day there are teachings that need rethinking? Baptists believe in Believers' Baptism only. But what happens if someone who claimed to be a Believer, was not, and gets baptised and afterwards becomes a Believer, does he/she have to be baptised again?
The Roman Catholics believe in transubstantiation, meaning that the wine and bread become the literal blood and body of Christ after it has been blessed by a priest..
If a "blood works" was done on the wine would it stand up to scientific scrutiny? Then there are some Pentecostals who frown on tradition and claim that they believe that the Bible is the sole authority for practice and faith and yet are popularising "Slain in the Spirit", which has no biblical precedence. And where was "Slain in the Spirit" forty years ago?
GAY BISHOP
The consecration of the first declared gay bishop on Sunday, challenges the church to rethink sexuality, common-law union and marriage.
However, the most serious Christian rethinking that is necessary is the mission of the church.
So often, the church majors in the minors while ignoring the most pressing evils of the times.
The teachings of the Jamaican Church must wrestle with the high murder rate, high unemployment, and a thriving drug and gun trade so as to effect a Christ-centred ministry.
The Rev Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church.
