The Editor, Sir:THE formation of the lobby group JANU by leading churchmen again raises the issue for some, if only in theory, the issue of rule by the Church. It may help us when considering this issue if we were to bear in mind the following principles:
1. There is need for the inclusion of moral judgements in public life;
2. Many of the dynamic social movements in history were legitimately inspired by religious motivation;
3. Those who would aspire to lead us, churchmen or not, must be open both to debating the issues and also to understanding opposing views.
4. As a people we want coercion from neither church nor state nor from any combination thereof. In the past when these two institutions have been combined it has resulted in terrible violations of liberty.
In Jamaica, our political and religious differences run deep yet I believe that we can find common ground as a people in spite of our diversities. The challenge to the leadership of JANU is to develop out of our differences and in spite of those differences a common vision for the common good of us as Jamaicans and then to persuade persons of integrity who share that vision to offer themselves to the electorate.
For my part I wish JANU all the very best. If it achieves nothing else I hope it will help us as a people to start voting on principles and not by any unswerving commitments to a political party.
I am, etc
S. RICHARDS
12 Hope Road
Kingston 10
