Buggery law backlash - Blair: The church has been sleeping

Blair warns review could lead to same-sex marriages

BY NADINE WILSON Observer staff reporter wilsonn@jamaicaobserver.com

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

BISHOP Herro Blair has warned that Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller's pledge to review the buggery law if her party is elected to office on Thursday could lead to the legalisation of same-sex marriages in Jamaica.

At the same time, Blair, the political ombudsman and founder of the Deliverance Evangelistic Association Inc, advised his congregation on Sunday to get their candidates' views on moral issues before voting in the general election.

"My concern is not with reviewing a law, my concern is that next year this time, if you as Christians don't go out and listen to the voice of God — not Herro Blair now — to direct you, because we don't know who is who... my concern is that next year this time, the next thing that is going to happen in this country is an approach to same-sex marriage," Blair said during his Christmas Day message to about 2,000 members at his church on Waltham Park Road in Kingston.

"Unnu build a prison for me, because I'm not doing it," the bishop said, echoing the sentiments of some pastors who told the Observer last week that they would never accept the lifestyle of the gay, transgendered and lesbian community.

Last Tuesday night during the national leadership debate between Simpson Miller and Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Simpson Miller said her People's National Party (PNP), if elected to form the Government, would review the buggery law and ask for a conscience vote on the issue in Parliament.

Her pledge has reignited what has traditionally been a hot-button issue in Jamaica where homosexuality is frowned upon by the majority of the population.

For years, local and international gay lobbyists have been trying to get Jamaica to repeal the buggery law, but have so far been unsuccessful in their bid.

Recently, the United Kingdom said it would cut aid to countries that uphold laws against homosexuality, while the United States indicated that it would ensure that US diplomacy and foreign assistance promote and protect the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered persons.

Bishop Blair, in his message on Sunday, pointed to that kind of international pressure, saying: "God not dead, God not asleep, God will look out for his own and Jamaica don't want no English man, and we don't want no Spanish man, and we don't want nobody from Europe or China to tell us how to live; and what they are doing is that they are putting pressure on our politicians to yield."

He urged his congregants to call the candidates seeking their votes and ascertain their individual views on homosexuality, ahead of Thursday's general election.

"You are going to vote on Thursday [but] before you vote, don't call Portia and don't call Andrew, call your candidate and ask your candidate what are their moral beliefs, what they defend," he cautioned during the service, which was attended by the PNP candidate for St Andrew East Central Dr Peter Phillips and his JLP contender Beverly Prince.

"My problem is not with reviewing the law, I am going to review it tomorrow (Monday), I have it in my office. I am going to look at it, that's a review," Blair said. "But when you get a government — any government out of the two elected — and one have three here and the other may have six or seven over there, that is 10 out of 63. We have to stop it in its bud, you are going to have to kill it in its bud," he said.

"I will go back to country and I will plant yellow yam and cocoa and dasheen and I will start a dasheen factory or a cocoa factory; I will sell tamarind ball, but this country is God's country," he said.

The pastor, who reminded the churchgoers that God had destroyed two cities before because of immorality, was equally vocal about what he believes was the silence of the church community on the issue.

"The church has been sleeping in this nation. The whole church has been sleeping in this nation because the church of the living God has given up its responsibility and that's why they cuss us off whenever they want to," said the pastor.

In an obvious attempt to demonstrate his point that the church has a responsibility to preach the word of God, Blair asked for a lighter or a match to burn his Bible. The request was met with silence.

"Then if I can't burn it, why I can't preach what in it?" he asked.

Last week, several pastors made it clear that they could not endorse the homosexual lifestyle as it goes against the teachings of the Bible.

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COMMENTS (47)

R Rose
12/27/2011

Homosexuality has been, and still is very much a part of our society. They are just "closetted" in some instance because of our laws. But we are very much aware of them from BOTH political sides and church! Now isn't it hypocritical? Reviewing, or keeping the laws, church input or anything else the government does, will not stop them from living how they chose. Has it stopped any of us? The bible also said, adultery, fornication & defiling the body (smokg & drunk) are sinful, btw gossiping too.

2kool .
12/27/2011

It wasn't just Sodom & Gomorrah that were overthrown. There were other neighboring towns as well. (Jude 1 vs7) In other words these other towns accepted the lifestyle of Sodom & Gomorrah. Let that be a lesson for us. We do not have to accept something just because others are doing it. We should always strive to be the leader and set righteous examples.

tickyticky fish
12/27/2011

@ Raymond Clark "there are more important issues that will affect the majority of people" if this is not then what is? if it is not nip in the bud now next year this time there will be gay marriages in Jamaica and after that what next will be legalize incest? men to children? do not open Pondora's box once it is open it can't be shut back.

Gee Scott
12/27/2011

@ Raymond Clarke ....i could not agree with you more....this is a social issue and I don't think is a campaign issue unless there is a hidden agenda......??? . This issue does not even affect the majority, ....roads, exchange rate, quality of overall life in Jamaica surely takes presidence ...

runners bliss
12/27/2011

I guess that any good " Christian" should line up all homosexuals and burn them at the stakes.
We should keep all these comments for the future and look back at them in 20 years.
When discrimination is directed at Christians, Jews, blacks, Indians or women or any group, with the benefit of hindsight we now see this as wrong. However, in the past it was not so easy. One of the worst bigots to observe at work is a black man. I should know I was once as bigoted a black man as the reverent.

Joseph Edwards
12/27/2011

I said it before and I will say it again the PNP has no substance and that homosexual issue comment was one more example of what I said. Now if Jamaicans voters do not see that the PNP is wrong for Jamaica's success it tells me that we have a very grave problem in this land of our Eternal Father.
Ps. PNP lost twice, first with Portia as the leader and secondly with her statement on homosexuality. My advice go in peace and retire while you still have your "Most Honourable" title.

W McIntosh
12/27/2011

Most Jamaicans home and abroad strongly oppose homosexuality. The once proud PNP party is now infected with immoral elements who seek to overturn our Buggery laws. Jamaican citizens will affirm their position on the Buggery laws with their vote.

tickyticky fish
12/27/2011

@ owen lloyd church and Pastors basher nuh guh a church ada wise yuh would a didey suh yuh could give him the lighter. 1Timothy 6:10 "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." The politicians in Jamaica must not sold out the souls of Jamaicans for "Devil"s money "the rest of the world" can keep their money that carry strings attached to it.

marlon lewis
12/27/2011

Why are so many Pastor taking Mrs Simpson Miller answer at the debate out of context. I am ashamed of Pastor Blair and Al Miller. Who said anything about legalizing homosexuality? Al Miller has the nerves to be talking about homosexuality. He is playing the hypocrite. One just need to visit his church and take a look from the pulpit to the pew. The same go for Pastor Blair. It is an issue that we should not run away but face up to it.
Pastors Buggery can be committed by hetersexuals too

Carlos Bryson
12/27/2011

Gramps Morgan extolls "Dont Cry For Jamaica." But should we? Think about it. Slavery then Occupation. Next, we are told to stay away from Castro and the corresponding impact. Now, we are told to change buggery laws in the name of human rights or else. What next? In all of this our athletes excel, we excel academically though not enough, people keep on coming to Ja, we still preach one love and out of many one people. What if were left alone to work out and settle our differences as free people?

William Muth
12/27/2011

Rev Herro Blair should resign as political ombudsman. He has a right to his opinion but as the Ombudsman he should he should not be expressing views that sides with or against either party - particularly at election time. Shows a lack of calm, coherent thinking. Why is there so much God this & that in everything today? I am not Atheist but are the "Christians" of today still advocate stoning. They did in the bible. Mr Blair - there are other religious groups out there. Not just Christians.

lincoln dunkley
12/27/2011

Preach it pastor! Preach it! This is long over due.
"Then if I can't burn it, why I can't preach what in it?"
"You are going to vote on Thursday [but] before you vote, don't call Portia and don't call Andrew, call your candidate and ask your candidate what are their moral beliefs, what they defend,"
I totally support!
Let’s show the true people power on the 29th. Let’s put Jamaica first!
Eternal father bless our land………………………….

angela brown
12/27/2011

Blair has joined Simpson Miller in this request. She has said tthat any review would be subject to a vote of conscience which she said should be exercised only after consultation with their constituents. Our decisions must be grounded on consultation with our people and not because of a big stick above our heads or scare tactics

Alvin Pryce
12/27/2011

The practice of homo-sexuality is against the laws of nature and therefore non-productive.This deviant behaviour is not new,it has been a part of the Greek and Roman culture for thousand of years What happened in Sodom was different.The gay community began to force others,by violence to follow their lifestyle.Paul expected the new converts who were homosexuals to stop this practice,(1st cor.6 v9-).Homo-sexuality is not genetic it is a choice made,we may be pre-disposed but it is our choice.

owen lloyd
12/27/2011

Apparently, Mr. Blair does not realize that gays and lesbians are people too. Does Blair not accept the rasta as a person, what about an Hindu, a Buddhists, or a Muslim. Some may have different beliefs from Mr. Blair, but they are people too. I think Blair needs to learn tolerance and realize that we all live in a world where everyone is different.

12/27/2011

these ppl are such damn hypocrites u know how much of the so call pastors are homosexuals u ppl need to wake up if PNPdont review the other party will av to most of the money being plunged into this country comes from the homosexual community and bcz we so poor we gonna av to do as they say or suffer let God be the judge and the decision maker in this if its to be it has to be. 'do u care about the colour of his hair his skin his sexuality if ur dyin and dats the only person to save u" NO U DONT

owen lloyd
12/27/2011

I wish I was at his service. I would give him my lighter.

owen lloyd
12/27/2011

Mr. Blair, if that is your position, then tell the politicians to stop begging the rest of the world for money.

D T
12/27/2011

@ Raymond Clarke I agree with you, most of these so called pastors only qoute the bible when it suits them. To be honest some of these pastors are gay themselves but they are just following the crowd. We have so much more issues in Ja and yet we want to focus on this topic as if it was the end of the world. The church should leave politics alone and focus on church business.

miluvyuh luvyuh
12/27/2011

That is the only reason why God is going to destroy Jamaica, right? He does not care if you rape little girls, steal, deceive, kill and store up riches for yourself. However, the one thing that will let God destroy Jamaica is homosexuality. While I agree that it is a sin and that God is against it, I am sure He is against all other things that are considered sin. Thank God that He is God and not you HYPOCRITES!

angela brown
12/27/2011

I am pleased to see that Rev. Blair clearly understood Mrs. Simpson Miller's position. She will review the buggery laws asking MPs to vote their conscience. She went even further saying that before they vote they should consult their constituents. Now let's make sure our MPs and candidates know where we stand on the matter. Let's settle it once and for all by our own decisions and not the dictates of any foreign power or because we are scared to death of our own contradictions.

Michelle Anderson
12/27/2011

I thought Jamaica was a secular society. Mr. Blair is, of course, entitled to his opinion, but he is not entitled to impose his belief on anyone!
His rantings demonstrate, in my view, how religion "distorts" the brain - here is a man who would have us believe that a virgin had a baby and that a snake gave a woman a apple to eat and a man called Jesus raised another man from from the dead, and he himself (Jesus) rose from the dead after three days.
I don't take Mr. Blair seriously.

stanley buffett
12/27/2011

MR BLAIR WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?KILL OUT THE FAGGS,WHO ARE YOU TO JUDGE,AGUSTUS THE GREAT ONE WAS GAY THE GAY MOVEMENT IS AROUND BEFORE YOU AND I WERE BORN.LET GOD BE THE JUDGE MAN I HOPE YOU ARE LISTENING TO YOUR COMMENT DO THE WORK OF GOD AND LET GOD DO HIS WORK.GO BACK TO THE BIBLE THESE FAGGS MADE A CHOICE NOTHING YOU AND I AND ANY GOVENMENT CAN DO ABOUT IT,READ REVELATION WE ARE IN THE LAST DAYS AND THESE THINGS ARE THE SIGN,WOMEN WANT WOMEN MEN WANT MEN,LEAVE THEM TO GOD MR BLAIR,

Wa Tch
12/27/2011

This is the political ombudsman. He should be removed.

Alex Campbell
12/27/2011

Such intolerance from the Political Ombudsman leave me to wonder if a gay candidate could get justice from him. Given such intolerance he should resign is well paying job as Political Ombudsman. Chose he this day who shall he serve Mr. Ombudsman because the constitution allows gay to serve in Parliament and for your office to be an oversight for them. You are paid by taxpayers some of whom are gay, how can you in good conscience continue as Political Ombudsman? Make a "conscience vote" by resign

Tom Stroke
12/27/2011

Nuff respect to you Mr Blair sir, please also ask them to build a cell for Tom Stroke in that prison. For there is no need to review the buggery law if you do not think there is something wrong with it. What would be the need to review it then? To waste time? As such, I agree with you Mr Blair that soon we may be looking at legalizing same-sex marriage. Where are we going as a people? Are we like a ship without a captain that is toss from here to there depending on the direction of the waves? Do we have values that we will keep sacred as a nation? Very interesting.

Cinderella G
12/27/2011

So dramatic Mr. Blair, what a hell if she had said she would make sure that the law is repeal, you would jump off a cliff. I am standing firmly behind PSM not because I am gay which I am not or people close to me are gays, but because despite whom you might be, your human rights must be respected. The only thing that is left for you to do is go onto the green political platform and campaign......hypocrite..

Mahoney Campbell
12/27/2011

My fellow Jamaican’s pay close attention to the Jamaica Diaspora around the world, they were put in place t o provide instability in any country or community they fuel communication between the US state department and their country of interest. Look around the world and you can see instability in many regions PAY ATTENTION it a reflection of the power of the DIAPORA.
They set the stage for to create unstable government just to meet their political agenda, so the question about Ms. Portia Simps

A Sil
12/27/2011

It would appear that the ombudsman is now campaigning for his party. i hope that he will as a consequence be relieved of his supposedly impartial office. The lady said that she would REVIEW the law, how does that equal same-sex marriage? I hope more important and threatening laws are reviewed first though and hopefully we don't get to the buggery one until the next century.

renrick hall
12/27/2011

@ Raymond Clarke: well said as our people major in the minor too much. However we are to review the law associated with this issue and make the punishment more applicable to the value of the crime. Greater fines and stiffer penalties are to be administered, especially when children have been affected. Similar reviews are to be made on the raping of girls, as they too are scarred for life. Move on with and other important issues that the country face.

Kerry Morgan
12/27/2011

Raymond, are you sure your surname is Clarke?

Ramon Castro
12/27/2011

What should the church do? Sit back and say nothing regarding what the Bible say is about homosexually? What should the JTA do if the government decided to review the age at which teachers should leave the system (50 yrs)? Sit back and do or say nothing? The church has a mandate to protect what it consider an infringement on it doctrine. Equally the govt has to make laws that do not discriminate against any citizen group. Why condemn the church for protecting its teaching?

Fitzgerald Brown
12/27/2011

While I agree with Bishop Blair's right to free speech and to have an opinion on this matter I think it is very inappropriate for him to be making such pronouncements while still holding the office of Political Ombudsman. Bishop Blair you cannot eat your cake and have it Sir. If you want to make speeches like this and be political then you should demit office . No wonder your role has been largely ineffective because you have shown time and time again that you have a political bias.

N. Byrd
12/27/2011

Raymond Clark is this the same i know? if so shame on you Bro the Jamaican people have a right to make it their issue. Nothing less than a referendum should be need to repeal this buggery law but see they don't want to do that and to me that is troubling. If this is not Raymond I know, then my views still stand.

12/27/2011

@ Raymond Clarke: I totally agree with you on this...Too many more important issues out there but they choose this one to side track us cause they know that most of us don't agree with this lifestyle, even though many are practicing it. Let's ban the shows that are teaching the lifestyle then which would include cartoons. Let's make sure that any companies that have homosexuals in it are not allowed to operate in Jamaica! Jamaica will never legalize gays and we know that so get to the issues. It's in the churches, politics, universities, media, and the list goes on. By the way, what about jobs?

Anthony II
12/27/2011

II. I just do not get how these hypocrites think. How do they think? In the face of all the immorality that these people, including some of the so-called "men of the cloth", practice, why do you only invoke "God" on this issue? For those who are obviously ignorant, adultery in JA does not need 'championing'; it is a way of life as evidence by all the jackets, low marriage rates, serial baby daddy/mommy, "outside children", songs celebrating matey, and so on. Stop being hypocrites!

N. Byrd
12/27/2011

Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits" 1 Cor 15:33. I thinks that's why so many church folks are quiet on this issue yeah evil. "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators , nor idolaters nor adulterers , nor homosexuals, nor sodomites. 1 Cor. 6:9. Now many folks don't believe these words were written in the Bible so I had to quiet them with this. Pastor Blair keep up the good work Jamaica stand up

Chuck Emanuel
12/27/2011

So, why is Mr Blair not urging the "Church" to give up the tax-exempt status it enjoys and assist in funding and shoring up traditional marriages ?. In addition, how is it that the good Bishop is only concerned with Buggery ?. How about rapes, kid-nappings, contract killings, extortion, murders, corruption, narco-terrorism, fornication, adultry etc ? Where is the "Church" ?

carlos king
12/27/2011

Dear Mr. Editor, Sir. Herro Blair, the Political Ombudsman, should not have entered this sordid political debate over buggery review. As political Ombudsman he must not only be impartial but appear to be impartial. What he said here serves no usual purpose. Every elector knows that when all is said and done, the propose conscience vote will fail like the attempt to review hanging did. There are just some things that "cannot cross it" in Jamaica and the legalization of buggery is one such thing.

Anthony II
12/27/2011

Ha! Ha! Ha! I am having a good laugh at the expense of these hypocrites like Blair and the half-day (half-day Sunday) Christian dem who only know to invoke God's name when they want to perpetuate their hate and discrimination against a group of people that ALSO WERE MADE IN THE IMAGE OF THE GOD THESE HYPOCRITES INVOKE. God, if he/she does exist, is not sleeping and he/she, I am sure, would be against hypocrites and selective moralists like Blair. Where was he in the midst of the Dudus scandal?

Lloyd Blair
12/27/2011

It is a fact that the agenda of the gay and lesbian community is to gain acceptance in society and they have employed various methods to do so. The duty of the church is to take a firm stance outlining their beliefs starting with those among them. The church must also be mindful of singling out a sin. 1 Cor. 6: 9-11 and Rev 21:8 gives a partial list of those who will not enter the kingdom. Including liars, thieves, adulterers ,homosexuals etc. The question for the church, why target the gays?

0o k
12/27/2011

What has Sistah P done?
Let I say again I support all Rights, but we should not bow to Special Interests and Foreign pressure!
Although I think the Church Teachings are wrong and religion itself is divisive and bogus........I am with Bishop Blair on this one.
Be careful of which bitter medicine you sign on for when you go out there and vote. A Leader whose own Constituents are not free to decide on their own Political and other choices has suddenly become the champion of Gay Rights?

Paul Gentles
12/27/2011

Yes the church has been sleeping - how else do you account for little Ja - reputed to have the most churches per sq mile having almost the highest murder rate per capita in the world? what do they teach in these churches?
Ja needs to be reclaimed by Jcans - too many niche interests which puts self above country. Every day bucket go a well...one day the bottom a go drop out!!

diehardr sickheads
12/27/2011

roper, chisom and other church leaders quiet in relationship to the bugery law statement is it because it came from the pnp camp rem the backlash the church gave seaga on the lottery but endorce it for the pnp. many of these church leaders are hypocrites.

Joan Blanco
12/27/2011

Simpson did not think about the issue as broadly as she should have and this shows the difference in level political acumen. These issues take on gigantic proportions when they are not fully thought out. In short, apart from the dancehall style politics she practices she is politically stupid. I agree with the general sentiment that Simpson espoused but I don't think she understand the effect on peoples emotions. She is out of touch! This is what happens when people don't read or write enough.

Jakan 2011
12/27/2011

That's what Jamaica has come to, ready to yield to the abominable. Enough said. Thank you bishop Blair for speaking out. Too many who should object remain silent

Raymond Clarke
12/27/2011

So many problems in Jamaica an this is the focus two days before elections, it's a bloody shame! Jamaicans need to demand more from the political parties and media and stopped being hood-winged by such shenanigans, there are more important issues that will affect the majority of people.

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Buggery law backlash - Blair: The church has been sleeping