A colleague called my attention to an article to which I feel compelled to respond. No direct allegation was made, but the insinuation was strong. The power of insinuation, or ‘dropping a word’, is often more powerful than speaking to a matter directly. The power of insinuation lies in the fact that a seed is sowed in people’s minds, and whether or not it is true, it often sticks while no one dares to take it on directly, lest they be accused of getting ‘hot under the collar’ or ‘bent out of shape’ over nothing. But love for truth fears nothing, not even the risk of losing reputation, because there is nothing more powerful than truth — even if it is not readily recognised.

Tucked away in the middle of an eloquent exposé on tertiary education (Jamaica Observer, August 14, 2015), the insinuation to which I refer went as follows:

“A man sidled up to me at a party, ‘Dis a di next Adventist university now Whiteman gone; soon a ongly UWI yuh can drink liquor.’ I stared: ‘Yes, Doc, di big one a paint up near small business; suh wen di two Kingston Adventist top man meet up wid di Mandeville one, Anglican, Cat’lick, Baptist student suck salt — a suh it set?’ Education is a major field for investment and quality is related to deep pockets. UWI is backed by 12 States; UTech by Cabinet; and NCU by the Adventist community. Which two do Adventists now run?”

I wasn’t aware that either the Cabinet of Jamaica or the 12 States supporting UWI are religious entities. I suppose the statements were not intended to stir up sectarian prejudices, but a number of questions do arise. Do Adventists, in secular employ, impose their religious preferences on others? Is there evidence of that anywhere, traceable to the Adventist belief system? The evidence overwhelmingly points to a ‘No’ as the answer to both questions. Quite to the contrary, Seventh-day Adventists have had a long tradition of advocacy for religious liberty world over. The oldest international association dedicated to freedom of conscience, the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA), chartered in 1893, was originally organised by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The IRLA is an educational, non-sectarian, non-political, not-for-profit organisation with board members from various religious traditions. In 1989, the president was the former general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation and the current president, since 2001, is the recently retired general secretary of the Baptist World Alliance. The IRLA, which is recognised by the United Nations Economic and Social Council and given the status of United Nations Non-Governmental Organization Category II, continues to have strong involvement and support from Seventh-day Adventists.

In case some people do not understand the principle of religious liberty, it is founded on the golden rule: Do unto others as you would that they should do unto you (Matthew 7: 12). Religious liberty is not about promoting one’s religion, but it allows people who believe differently from us the freedom to live in accordance with their religion in the same way that we seek to have that right for ourselves. Jamaica has a rich tradition of religious liberty and, according to Dr John Graz, secretary general of the IRLA, “Jamaica is an example of true freedom of religion, where each individual can choose their religion, and even choose not to embrace any religion, [or] to change their religion without being discriminated, arrested, assassinated or executed for blasphemy or apostasy.” Surely, such a distinction would be in keeping with our Vision 2030 to make Jamaica a place of choice to live; likewise, our universities, to be not only leaders in innovation and technology, but also in civility. Jamaica hosted its first Festival of Religious Freedom in January 2015, at which the president of the newly established National Religious Liberty Association, Rev Conrad Pitkin, who is also president of the Jamaica Umbrella Group of Churches, commended successive governments for preserving religious freedom in Jamaica.

Seventh-day Adventists are known for not eating pork or drinking alcohol and for being generally health conscious. The day of worship for Seventh-day Adventists is Saturday, based on the fourth of the ten commandments that says God requires that we work six days and rest on the seventh day in recognition of the fact that God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh day (Exodus 20: 8-11). It is a reminder that God is the creator, especially in light of our human propensity to exalt ourselves. Sabbath-keepers, who are by no means few in number, often suffer in silence when they are discriminated against and excluded from some of the normal activities, such as graduation, that could just as easily be held on another day apart from Saturday or Sunday. One thing, however, is true about the Adventist tradition; it is inextricably bound with the advocacy for religious liberty for all, and has never sought in secular environs to force upon others any religious observance or practice. Rather, it has sought to end religious intolerance and unfair discrimination, a position that is quite supportive of peace and goodwill for all towards a just and caring society.

Professor Colin Gyles is Acting President of the University of Technology, Jamaica, and a historic Seventh-day Adventist.