Dear Editor,
In light of the recent drama surrounding Jamaica's reggae artiste Queen Ifrica, let me remind our Jamaican public that the 2011 Charter of Rights for Jamaicans, which the gay community loves to refer to, recognises the fundamental right to free speech and free exercise of religion. And whenever there is the danger of those fundamental rights being infringed, it is the duty of those concerned to point it out.
The same Charter states: "All persons in Jamaica are entitled to preserve for themselves and future generations the fundamental rights and freedoms to which they are entitled."
Supporters of the gay lifestyle often misuse words or take them out of context. Words like homophobia, discrimination, bigotry, intolerance, hate speech, et al, are used to try to discourage any form of criticism about the abnormal and sinful lifestyle. Many weak-minded religious people usually fall for it, confusing frankness with "hate", and confusing preaching straight truth — as allowed by freedom of speech and freedom of religion rights – with "intolerance".
But I must remind everyone that the same Charter of Rights states: "Every person shall have the right to freedom of religion including the freedom.... to manifest and propagate his religion in worship, teaching, practice, and observance."
This permit the right to preach the tenets of any religion and to not be muffled if it happens to point out the sins of society.
Never let anyone subvert that fundamental right that you have in the name of protecting one minority group.
Derrick Gillespie
Defender of traditional family values
Freedom under attack by minority
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In light of the recent drama surrounding Jamaica's reggae artiste Queen Ifrica, let me remind our Jamaican public that the 2011 Charter of Rights for Jamaicans, which the gay community loves to refer to, recognises the fundamental right to free speech and free exercise of religion. And whenever there is the danger of those fundamental rights being infringed, it is the duty of those concerned to point it out.
The same Charter states: "All persons in Jamaica are entitled to preserve for themselves and future generations the fundamental rights and freedoms to which they are entitled."
Supporters of the gay lifestyle often misuse words or take them out of context. Words like homophobia, discrimination, bigotry, intolerance, hate speech, et al, are used to try to discourage any form of criticism about the abnormal and sinful lifestyle. Many weak-minded religious people usually fall for it, confusing frankness with "hate", and confusing preaching straight truth — as allowed by freedom of speech and freedom of religion rights – with "intolerance".
But I must remind everyone that the same Charter of Rights states: "Every person shall have the right to freedom of religion including the freedom.... to manifest and propagate his religion in worship, teaching, practice, and observance."
This permit the right to preach the tenets of any religion and to not be muffled if it happens to point out the sins of society.
Never let anyone subvert that fundamental right that you have in the name of protecting one minority group.
Derrick Gillespie
Defender of traditional family values
Freedom under attack by minority
-->