Jamaican Church: It's "Ludicrous" to Condemn Anti-Gay Violence

Another week, another anti-gay story from Jamaica.

After two weeks of high profile incidents where Jamaican gay men are attacked by mobs, killed, and, escape to Canada to talk share first-hand stories about mob attacks and fatal violence, church leaders in Jamaica refuse to dial down anti-gay rhetoric and say condemning such attacks is "ludicrous."

Earlier this month, a lynch mob of approximately 20 men surrounded the home of four suspected gay men, seriously injuring two and killing another. Human Rights Watch is lobbying the Jamaican government and clergy to intercede, and, last week the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) "staged protests outside several Jamaican consulates, calling for more 'gay-friendly' policies to be adopted by Jamaica."

From the pages of the Jamaica Gleaner, which regularly engages in homo-hysteria and gay-baiting,prominent church leaders say they will not be moved by international pressure: "Homosexuality is wrong from every possible angle," says the Rev. Dr. Merrick Miller, pastor of the Fellowship Tabernacle in St Andrew,. "It's immoral from a physical, social and spiritual standpoint." However, he adds, the Church was willing to "help someone who sees that he is going the wrong way and wants help in changing his life." The Rev. Dr. Lloyd Maxwell, of the AGAPE Christian Fellowship in Portmore, ratchets up the anti-gay rhetoric and says the idea of conducting public awareness on anti-gay violence "is ludicrous."

None of the interviewed clergymen said, "Thou shalt not kill" or "Love they neighbor." This is why many islanders feel no remorse toward beating or killing suspected gay men.

Gay Lobby Rebuked [JA Gleaner]
J-Flag Takes Swing at Church Community [JA Gleaner]

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Did You Read? ...
Angry Mob of 2,000 Jamaicans Attack Gays [R20]
Did Jamaican Cops "Rescue" Gays? [R20]
JA Leading Newspaper Demands Equal Rights [R20]
Justice, Jamaican Style [R20]
Bloodlust at UWI [R20]
"One Gay is Dead, What's the Difference?" [R20]
"Jamaica, Island of Hate" [R20]
Justice, Jamaican Style [R20]
Jamaican Newspaper Criticizes Anti-Gay Laws [R20]
"Gay Panic" Defense in Brutal Slaying [R20]
Who Killed Ambassador Peter King? [R20]
"Gay Panic" in Killing of Popular Priest [R20]
"Flaunting Sexual Preference May Incite Violence" [R20]

Comments

[Mel Smith]

I seriously think gays need to start fighting back. In many situations, when you want to be treated like a first class citizen in society, you have to fight for that right. Violence or nonviolence, we have to fight for our rights.

[karamale]

(sigh) I don't even know if I'm qualified to claim them, being black American and gay, but...(shaking head)...our people, lord!