Deputy Prime Minister the Hon. Cynthia Pratt, addressing the sixth annual Law Enforcement and Civil Servants' Thanksgiving Service February 8 at the Centreville Seventh-day Adventist Church, appealed for law enforcement agencies to work as one in an attempt to resolve the problems confronting the nation.
"It will not work if the Immigration Department is doing its thing by itself, the police on the other side, the Customs "it's fragmented," she said. "We must come together as a unit. We must set standards – standards that will not be compromised no matter what they call you."
Directing her remarks at officers from the Police and Defence Forces, the Immigration, Customs and Prison Departments and police cadets who attended the service, she said the government recognizes their contributions and commitment, and the danger they encounter.
"And I want you to know how much we appreciate all that you do for this country because we have to do it together," said Deputy Prime Minister Pratt, who is also Minister of National Security.
"Officers," she said, "you are very vital to this country, and where you stand you come into contact with thousands and thousands – if not millions – over the years. You have an awesome responsibility to witness to many of our young people. And we must live a life that is separate and apart so that they are able to see that there is a difference in that officer. We cannot tell them one thing and we do another."
Remarks were also made by Assistant Commissioner of Police Reginald Ferguson, standing in for Commissioner Paul Farquharson. Pastor Leonard A. Johnson, President of The Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, delivered the sermon.
ACP Ferguson said the family, which is the bedrock of civil society and on which a major thrust of Adventist doctrine is centred, is under attack, and there is a pervasive spirit of blame permeating society. People sought to blame the government, the Church, the police and single-family situations.
"And while all of the above may in some way contribute to our present dilemma, I am convinced that the answer to the problems confronting us as a people is found in the word of God, which admonishes those of us who profess to be people of God to humble ourselves and pray, seek God's face and desist from evil," he said. "Then, and only then, will God bring healing to our beloved Bahamaland."
Noting that the level of crime and the element of fear that has been engendered in the lives of residents and visitors are unacceptably high, Mr. Ferguson said a contributing factor to this state of affairs is the renewed trafficking of cocaine, firearms and marijuana throughout the Bahamian archipelago. This happened despite sustained efforts by officers and in spite of their success in the interdiction, seizure and confiscation of significant quantities "of these incriminating and life-threatening substances." In recent times, officers had achieved some successes in major joint-venture undertakings.
Pastor Johnson used as his point of departure a quotation from the National Commission Report on Crime before presenting passages from Jesus Christ's Sermon on the Mount as a road map for taking The Bahamas out of its present predicament.
The commission said, "We are convinced that Bahamian society is more threatened by a pervasive culture of dishonesty, greed and a casual disregard for social norms and formal regulation than it is by crimes in the narrow sense."
Quoting Jesus' remarks in the Sermon on the Mount as recorded in the fifth chapter of the of the Gospel of St. Matthew, Pastor Johnson referred to Jesus' prohibition of murder and causeless anger, and noted that "if we as a nation would subscribe to and practice these principles enunciated in Matthew chapter five, there would be a greater sense of appreciation for life. I also suspect that there would be a greater willingness to resolve problems and differences by reason and dialogue as opposed to resorting to knives and guns."
Pastor Johnson also quoted New Testament scholar Sinclair Ferguson as having said in his book The Sermon on the Mount: "Animosity is a time bomb; we do not know when it will go off. We must deal with it quickly before the consequences of our bitterness get completely out of control. Most human relationships that are destroyed could have been preserved if there had been communication and action at the right time. Jesus says that the right time is as soon as we are conscious that we are at enmity with our brother."
Pastor Johnson referred to Jesus' remarks on adultery that those of old were told not to commit it. Jesus' rider: whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery in his heart.
"It goes without saying," Pastor Johnson said, "that when we disregard God's command in this regard to sexual purity, we expose ourselves to disease, unwanted pregnancies and unprepared or forced responsibility. Not being ready and equipped to deal with the responsibility of a child, one may yield to the temptation of compromising means in order to secure child or self-support.
"The situation may further be compounded by such children having to fend for themselves, which could prove ideal for gang recruitment where such persons are made to feel wanted and appreciated. In some instances it is not that the mothers do not want to care for and be responsible for their children; it is a question of survival."
In a reference to Jesus' remarks on divorce, which He sanctions only in the event of sexual immorality, Pastor Johnson said Jesus calls for persons to have respect for the institution of marriage, and presses for commitment. Strong families encouraged strong communities.
"Additionally," he said, "a respect for God's command regarding divorce should prevent us from considering or giving attention to the idea of taking a man's wife or a woman's husband. The reality is that he is not yours – she belongs to someone else. It is private property."
Turning to Jesus' condemnation of swearing, Pastor Johnson said it is clear Jesus makes the argument for integrity. At the beginning of February The Bahamas went on a 40-hour work week, he said, adding that while the government should be applauded, it is up to employees to give quality service. Employees should give a day's work for a day's pay – more so persons who are in law enforcement and, most of all, those in the body of Christ.
He said, "Dishonesty could be taken to another level as there would seem to be disregard for one's property. Stealing and the accompanying black market to purchase these ill-gotten goods are unacceptable. It should not be.
"I noted with interest that Dr. Elliston Rahming, chairman of the Prison Reform Commission, indicated that individuals who were caught stealing were persons who were already employed, but were not contented to have a pair of tennis shoes or a car. They wanted a certain type or name brand; consequently, they resorted to ill gains."
Pastor Johnson also referred to Jesus' remarks on forgiveness and love, and applied them to everyday living in The Bahamas.
By Bahamas Information Services
