Dear Editor,

Recent conversations about the role of the Church in crime fighting have left more to be desired. While I am cognisant that oftentimes the loudest voices are the ones in the minority, it is really unfortunate that some pundits within the Church have limited its role in crime fighting to fasting and prayer. This is particularly curious since churches have organised marches when it comes on to anything revolving around sex, the new fad being Carnival celebrations.

Though a non-believer, I see so much opportunity for the Church as a uniting force and I would like to give a list of ideas of how they can help with crime-fighting efforts. The list is non-exhaustive.

1. Create a support group for people who are victims and witnesses of crime, and encourage them to step forward with the information needed to pursue criminals. These support groups must be ready to provide financial support for any eventualities that may occur as a result of taking such steps.

2. Challenge “informa fi dead” culture in regular sermons by citing the several examples in the Bible of people standing up for what they believe to be right, including Paul.

3. Provide counselling services for both married and unmarried couples so as to prevent occurrences of domestic violence, and be ready to support victims of domestic and sexual violence and encourage them to seek legal redress.

4. Be a voice of reason in gang warfare and upsurges in violence in communities by facilitating conversation on neutral ground with rivalling gangs.

5. For the more affluent churches, create a pro bono network of lawyers to provide support to people in need of legal advice and who are ready to provide support in matters that may become contentious such as “dead lef” disputes.

6. Engage young people, particularly those at risk, in community development activities to reduce the influence of negative forces within their community.

7. Connect the poor and vulnerable within their membership to social services provided by the Government and civil society.

8. Invite people to come to their churches to speak to their membership about conflict resolution, violence, parenting, and available legal remedies.

9. Discourage the practice of kicking out children and youth whom parents are struggling with and provide support to those families in a way that does no harm to said children.

Many churches are doing some, if not all, of these activities. However, Jamaica is the country with the most churches per square mile and as such, it is crucial that all churches recognise that they can do much more to curb crime in Jamaica beyond just praying, fasting and being an example to others.

With some churches recording tithes and offering contributions in the millions, it is full time churches everywhere put those contributions to real work and fix the ailing nation they keep praying for. I am reminded that the Bible says, “Faith without works is dead.”

Glenroy Murray

Associate Director, Programmes & Advocacy

Equality for All Foundation Jamaica Limited

glenroy.am.murray@gmail.com