Tyrone Reid, Staff ReporterChurch leaders are contending that the legal recognition of certain common-law unions will further impede an already injured family life in Jamaica. The ministers asserted that they understood and sympathised with what the legislature was trying to achieve but argued that the ends just do not justify the means.
"I wish more emphasis was placed on the sanctity of marriage. It is giving it (common-law unions) a cloak of legitimacy, which I think is very dangerous," remarked John-Mark Bartlett, pastor of Pentecostal Tabernacle on Wildman Street.
Rev. Al Miller, pastor of Fellowship Tabernacle, shared similar sentiments. "Once we do that, in principle we are legitimising common-law unions. You are throwing marriage through the window," he said.
However, there are those who believe that the lawmakers' decision to offer women in relationships for a minimum of five years, similar privileges as married women, is a step in the right direction. Pastor Devon Dick from the Boulevard Baptist Church told The Sunday Gleaner that the lawmakers should consider reducing the mandatory five years to two. Pastor Dick said that he did not believe that the legislation recognising common-law unions would contribute to the further breakdown of family life. "It might have the opposite effect because some people don't get married because they don't want to share their assets," he said.
sexual immorality
Pastor Dick stated that there were no passages in scripture that clearly defined what constituted a marriage. He also argued that when the scriptures speak about fornication, sexual immorality is really being addressed. "It definitely seems to be talking about promiscuity. Would you categorise persons in faithful, committed relationships as being immoral?" questioned Pastor Dick.
Pastor Dick suggested that unmarried people in a committed relationship could be given associate membership in church and be viewed as a 'work in progress'. This form of church membership, he said, would allow them to voice their views on issues at membership meetings but they would not be given a vote. "It should be given some recognition and protection. It can be seen as work in progress as no one in Christ is perfect."
However, Pastor Bartlett passionately rejected Pastor Dick's discourse on marriage and membership. "The clear teaching of scripture is that sexual intercourse outside of the ambit of marriage is sinful and the church cannot do anything that would derogate from the principles of the Bible," emphasised Pastor Bartlett.
Pastor Bartlett stressed that people need to be told upfront that they are living a sinful life but that should be accompanied by loving encouragement to abstain or get married. Associate membership, he said would lure people into a false sense of security. Pastor Bartlett added that the church should do like our Lord and God Jesus Christ in His dealing with the woman who was caught in adultery. "That's what the church should tell people: Go thy way and sin no more. It's all or nothing," he said.
Rev. Miller was much sharper with his criticism. "Rubbish! Marriage is clearly defined by Scripture."
