THE EDITOR, Sir:
THERE ARE some things which many persons hesitate to say because they fear that they will be held up to not only criticism, but also ridicule, by those who are the 'brains' of the society. But I do not fear ridicule, especially when certain things must be said for the welfare of the nation.
The sequence of 'near misses' by hurricanes which we have been experiencing over the past year are not to be treated lightly. God, the one who controls wind and rain, speaks to his creatures in different ways - ways which he hopes will be understood. The fact that our island has experienced three hurricanes within a period of 11 months, with a fairly strong earthquake included, should cause every sensitive person to stop and think. Perhaps there is a meaning, even a message, behind it all. The more remarkable fact is that by all scientific calculation, these hurricanes were headed directly for Jamaica. Two of them veered away from the island only at the very last minute. The third, which packed the strongest winds of all, passed 'within arms' reach' of the island.
Make no mistake about it, if Emily, with 155 miles an hour winds, had not shifted to the south and had continued on its original course, it would have destroyed Jamaica's economy for at least two years. We have been spared - again.
JUSTICE TEMPERED WITH MERCY
After hurricane Ivan last September, I wrote suggesting that Ivan was 'Justice tempered with mercy'. I now earnestly believe that Dennis and, more so Emily, were 'A warning'. God cannot accept the iniquity which is taking place in our island. Only a few days ago, the Minister of Security, like the High Priest of old, spoke prophetically when he declared, 'An evil spirit grips Jamaica'. Those were the words of God coming from his lips. That is what 'prophetic' means. What are some of the iniquities now gripping Jamaica, and angering God?
First, the retreat of men (the male section of the population) from the worship of God. God is a holy and jealous God. He demands our worship. The male section of our population has turned away from worship. Although there are exceptions, the places of worship are now dominated by women. Husbands, fathers, and sons are absent. This is the real cause of the crime and violence wrecking our country. Spiritual leadership in the home and community has been assigned by God to the male. Ephesians 6:4 states, "Ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." It is the failure of men to provide spiritual and moral leadership in the home and as a corollary, in the community, which has led to the rise of young criminals who fear neither man nor God. God is calling for a return of men to the Church.
SEVEN-DAY FLEXI-WEEK
The second iniquity is that in the midst of this retreat from worship, the government is about to make it more difficult for men, women and young people to worship at all. The present proposal which is now before Parliament, to make both Sunday and Saturday 'normal working days', under a seven-day Flexi-week, will discourage worship in the nation. Those who earnestly want to worship may still have the privilege of doing so, but those who are not already worshipping God will have no encouragement to do so, as the day of worship will be gone. When a country's 'day of worship' is abandoned, the very activity of worship is discouraged. This is a direct attack on God Himself as it is He who has commanded worship. God is demonstrating His anger.
Thirdly, Jamaica is encouraging and promoting a lifestyle which is the very opposite of what God requires of humankind. Jamaica is promoting with governmental support, a lifestyle based on gambling. Jamaica now has the widest means of gambling of any country in the Caribbean. And, to fly in the face of God, it is now being considered to establish casino gambling in the island. What iniquity!
NATURAL BEAUTY
This is to attract tourists. The irony of the situation is that the reason Jamaica is attractive to tourists is because of the natural beauty of the island - its beaches, sunshine all the year, rivers for rafting, and beautiful flowers and trees. All provided by whom? God! Yet, these are being prostituted and abused by what is called the 'tourist industry'.
Three hurricanes have missed us - just. It is a warning. This universe is not without moral government. Next time it may not be a 'miss'. Let us "return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon us, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."
I am, etc.,
Rev EARL THAMES
North Middlesex Learning Centre,
Tower Isle P.O.
