This attitude makes a mockery out of justice and only serves to further promote the social destruction of the Bahamian society. People would state their position on one thing and then act or say something completely contrary. This unique characteristic exist virtually in all of our Bahamian institutions, including the church. So, when one takes such a hypocritical position on an issue, the public must analyze what is the true message, or what the individual is in fact trying to achieve.
Regrettably, the Bahamas Christian Council and its subsidiaries are a perfect example where statements are made within a person’s self-interest or with a “forked” tongue. These institutions are supposed to speak out against society’s wrongs and continue to remind the Bahamian public of their commitment to God, while condemning anything hat interferes with the delivery of God’s work. But, at best, persons have acted on their own while claiming to represent the view of the Christian Council, that at times, the public is not prepared to take the Christian Council seriously. Just look at some of the recent statement by prominent members on issues such as immigrants, Junkanoo, Sunday shopping, gays, etc. Individuals hide behind the shield of the Christian Council to promote their own bias and self-serving agenda. More recently, without any debate or warning to members, the Bahamas Christian Council president, Bishop Sam Greene made a terrorist threat against Parliament, while praising a hoodlum like Guy Fawkes. This is the un-Christian approach, but this is the Bahamas and persons doing anything in the name of religion seems to be able to get away with almost anything, without any responsibility or accountability for their actions.
The most recent hypocritical situation in the Bahamas involves a television station, the Black Entertainment Television (BET), available both on the local Cable Bahamas and the satellite dish. This station has been considered by many Bahamian church leaders and persons or groups concerned about the moral fabric of the Bahamian society as a major source of negative influence on the youth of the nation. So much so, that a number of protest has been launched at Cable Bahamas and publicly on the various talk shows. Instead of promoting the black agenda or the history of the Negro race, BET’s focus appears to be on promoting only the negative side of black culture. A typical show or video will feature a smorgasbord of sex and violence. Women are often degraded by being featured in scanty outfits while being referred to as “ho’s” The black man is stereotypically displayed as a violent, drug dealing, money hording, gang member with a strong anti-establishment sentiments that leaves him no choice but to have no respect for himself or others. Is this the way for our young people to behave? Indeed, many of the performers are ex-cons or had been the victim of violent criminal behavior.
Sadly, this is the reason given by those who have attempted to stop some of these same performers such as “Shaggy” and “fifty Cents” from performing in the Bahamas. Their negative message will only lead to destructive behavior and further compound the social crisis now tragically afflicting the Bahamian youth.
However, the shocker came a couple of weeks ago when the Prime Minister and Leader of the Bahamas, the Honorable Perry Christie was hosted (in part or in whole) by the executives of BET network. Ironically, Prime Minister Christie was the recipient of an award for leadership. In addition, Prime Minister Christie utilized the opportunity to encourage this same group of persons who profit from corrupting the youth of the Bahamas to invest some of these same dirty profits in the Bahamas. No way ! This is a scandalous disgrace! Clearly, in this matter, Prime Minister Christie used bad judgment. The fact that this group happens to be black as was emphasized with great frequency does not excuse them from the irresponsible damage they are doing to the minds of young Bahamians.
However, the real disappointing surprise came from the Bahamas Christian Council whose stone silence on this matter can only mean consent. This is the time when they should come forward and speak out against Prime Minister Christie fraternizing with this group and what they stand for. Failure to do so, will simply mean that future comments and concerns voiced by the Bahamas Christian Council will be met with skeptics as the Bahamas continue to slide into an abyss of immorality.
Dr. Leatendore Percentie
