Dear Editor,

When I read a quote from Rev Al Miller in the Observer of Thursday, December 22, 2011 under the headline ‘Church angry, gays happy’ I was shocked to my core.

In relation to Mrs Portia Simpson Miller’s recently revealed personal position that sexual orientation is a non-issue for her when considering Cabinet ministers and that she is more concerned with ability, Rev Miller had this to say: “I am seriously concerned about that, because it is saying that moral values become secondary to ability to perform… That kind of approach would be difficult for Christians to support because character and integrity take precedence over ability.”

Is this an admission by the cleric that he is less concerned with whether one is competent in whatever field of work they have the requisite skills for, so long as there is conformity to some subjective prescription of morality and values? Does he appreciate how nonsensical this sounds to those who are more pragmatic and less dogmatic? I shudder to think of the kind of nation we would be if the church had political control.

I hope in light of recent developments in his own personal life that he will pause and reflect on his position.

I honestly believe that evangelism of this sort has the opposite intended effect and in effect propels persons such as myself away from the Christian community.

Whatever happened to critical thought and objectivity? Or are they incompatible with matters of faith?

Brian-Paul N Welsh

brianpaul.welsh@gmail.com