Dear Editor,
There are calls from some religious quarters for Rev Al Miller to give up his leadership positions in his church following his conviction for perverting the course of justice. He had been found with fugitive Christopher “Dudus” Coke in his car and charged several days later.
But who are the people that should rightfully make such a decision? And what should guide them in so doing?
I think these decisions should be left to the membership of his church. The questions they should be asking themselves are whether they are satisfied with the moral and practical support offered by Rev Al, and whether he provided effective pastoral care.
At the time of the incident, the country was in a state of paralysis. Citizens were being slaughtered by members of the security forces who claimed to be looking for Dudus. They even entered the home of Keith Clarke — a man who neither looked nor lived like Dudus — and killed him. The message this sent to the country was that no one was safe from our own security forces. When I heard that Rev Miller had been found taking Dudus to the US embassy to surrender, I was relieved. My first thought was that he was being used by God to accomplish his purpose in the world, because none of us knew how long the carnage would continue, and how many more of us would be slaughtered because we looked, talked, laughed, or drove a car like the one Dudus drove.
Kingston was the place Dudus feared most. He felt our security forces wanted to ‘silence’ him and had indicated his willingness to proceed directly to US custody. What other reason would he have to leave his haven? To attend Passa Passa? With Reverend Miller?
The main argument of those who want Rev Miller to resign is that he was found guilty in court. Personally, I think we squandered an opportunity for a spiritually led partnership between Church and State. More churches need to become centres of support for citizens.
Let me say this to them. In Exodus 1, the Egyptian king ordered two Hebrew midwives to kill all male Jewish babies. They “feared God and did not do as the King of Egypt had commanded them, but let the boys live”. Although they disobeyed their Government, “God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied and became very mighty. And because the midwives feared God, He established households for them.” (Exodus 1, 20-21)
What I am trying to say is that from biblical times there have been instances and incidents which make it abundantly clear that, sometimes, “The law is an ass.”
Thanks, Rev Al. May God continue to use you.
Glenn Tucker
glenntucker2011@gmail.com
There are calls from some religious quarters for Rev Al Miller to give up his leadership positions in his church following his conviction for perverting the course of justice. He had been found with fugitive Christopher “Dudus” Coke in his car and charged several days later.
But who are the people that should rightfully make such a decision? And what should guide them in so doing?
I think these decisions should be left to the membership of his church. The questions they should be asking themselves are whether they are satisfied with the moral and practical support offered by Rev Al, and whether he provided effective pastoral care.
At the time of the incident, the country was in a state of paralysis. Citizens were being slaughtered by members of the security forces who claimed to be looking for Dudus. They even entered the home of Keith Clarke — a man who neither looked nor lived like Dudus — and killed him. The message this sent to the country was that no one was safe from our own security forces. When I heard that Rev Miller had been found taking Dudus to the US embassy to surrender, I was relieved. My first thought was that he was being used by God to accomplish his purpose in the world, because none of us knew how long the carnage would continue, and how many more of us would be slaughtered because we looked, talked, laughed, or drove a car like the one Dudus drove.
Kingston was the place Dudus feared most. He felt our security forces wanted to ‘silence’ him and had indicated his willingness to proceed directly to US custody. What other reason would he have to leave his haven? To attend Passa Passa? With Reverend Miller?
The main argument of those who want Rev Miller to resign is that he was found guilty in court. Personally, I think we squandered an opportunity for a spiritually led partnership between Church and State. More churches need to become centres of support for citizens.
Let me say this to them. In Exodus 1, the Egyptian king ordered two Hebrew midwives to kill all male Jewish babies. They “feared God and did not do as the King of Egypt had commanded them, but let the boys live”. Although they disobeyed their Government, “God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied and became very mighty. And because the midwives feared God, He established households for them.” (Exodus 1, 20-21)
What I am trying to say is that from biblical times there have been instances and incidents which make it abundantly clear that, sometimes, “The law is an ass.”
Thanks, Rev Al. May God continue to use you.
Glenn Tucker
glenntucker2011@gmail.com