Dear Editor,

It’s rather alarming to read in the Jamaica Observer published on Sunday, April 17 that two clergymen came out against a post by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) calling on Jamaicans to give up gunmen.

What seems to have troubled the clergymen is the use of the cross, a so-called symbol of Christianity.

Really? Of all the problems in Jamaica, this is what these fellows are worried about?

Let me educate them.

First of all, the cross is not sacred. It’s a symbol of paganism.

Easter is not sacred either and is rooted firmly in paganism. No Christian should be celebrating Easter. If you want something to celebrate, why not try celebrating the festivals that God gave us, like Passover and the days of unleavened bread?

Secondly, nowhere in the Bible did Jesus, Mary, the apostles, or first century Christians celebrate the murder of Jesus or his birthday. Nowhere!

Therefore, no Christian should be going around celebrating rank paganism.

So why are these fellows offended? Are they offended because the JCF is using the same pagan symbols they are using to help get the criminals? Are they more offended about that than celebrating pagan holidays? Amazing!

No wonder Jesus had to lash them by reminding them that, “In vain they worship me, setting aside the commandments of God to hold on to their traditions.”

And, if celebrating pagan festivals in the name of Jesus isn’t bad enough, one has the title of reverend. That title should be reserved for only God himself. By taking it on he is breaking one of the Ten Commandments — Thou shalt have no other gods before me — and is making himself out to be equal to God. A man the Bible describes as having sinned and come short of the glory of God; a sinner equating himself to God. Doesn’t he realise he has more problems to worry about with God than the JCF using a cross?

And to add insult to injury, the reverend fellow has accused the police of using the cross because they have a failed crime strategy.

If he wants to blame the police he must also take equal, if not more blame because what constitutes a church in Jamaica has been a dismal failure. If pastors and other Christian types were doing half of the work of God our crime rate would have been much less.

We have more churches in the world per square mile yet we are the most murderous country, outside of those beset by civil wars. He really should not have gone that route.

The Church in Jamaica seems to be more concerned with fooling people through prosperity gospel and other gimmicks than saving souls. You all are a disgrace to man and an embarrassment to God.

The JCF, over recent times, has been spectacular in their use of social media to get Jamaicans involved in the fight against crime. And based on the reactions, their efforts have hit home with the public. It’s delightful to say the least, and whoever is behind it deserves a pay increase.

Instead of criticising the effort, we should be encouraging and supporting it.

Every Jamaican has a role to play in taking this crime monster down. Everyone! It’s rather surprising that they should take offence to the use of the cross and not the words.

The JCF is right, Jesus was crucified with two crooks, and if we want to get rid of crooks and murderers from society we should be sharing their identities with the police.

Fabian Lewis

tyronelewis272@gmail.com