Dear Editor,
The cities of refuge were towns in the Kingdom of Israel and Kingdom of Judah in which the perpetrators of manslaughter could claim the right of asylum; outside of these cities, blood and vengeance against such perpetrators was allowed by law.
Citizens of Israel knew and identified the places of refuge. It was observed that once someone entered the place they were safe. There are several other aspects to the Biblical regulations and specific reference to the priestly and Deuteronomic Codes governing places of refuge and a judiciary process that follows. However, I would like to highlight the fact of observance with regards to being safe once a perpetrator entered a place of refuge.
Now this is not Israel, but Jamaica. Certainly St Andrew is not a designated kingdom and neither is Bull Bay a city of refuge; however it is observed in this nation and some places in the world that a church is a place of refuge where people consider safe. This is why I believe Chad Telfer entered the place of worship.
It is beyond me to think men would enter a building considered a place of refuge and take the life of another in the full view of children.
This act is a clear display of men with desperately wicked hearts and a nation in trouble. I recall overhearing a song Run guh inna church" by Mavado, which makes explicit the idea that going into a church cannot save an individual if someone decides to kill him. Another artiste Popcaan also has this line in a song, "Not even Jesus can save dem when the b**** rifle buss... bwoy drop pon di grung head leak out and the wall stick up." Then there is Vybz Kartel, "Mi murder people inna broad daylight..." Some will say the music has nothing to do with this and its mere social commentary and freedom of speech. Social commentary, huh?!
I guess when you have a personal experience we can comment on that too. It is not only absurd or ridiculous to think this way, but grossly retarded. It is a tragedy for us to continue living oblivious to these stark realities, and it is to our detriment if we do not amend aspects of the freedom of expression law entrenched in Section 22 of the constitution to curtail these artistes.
I do not know what this young man did, but to kill him, and at the altar for that matter, shows blatant disregard for life, the sanctity of a place of worship, and I dare say a place of refuge. Some months ago National Security Minister Peter Bunting was reduced to tears while he spoke on the metastasising issue of crime of violence. He noted that divine intervention was necessary to fight it and that the Church would be an ally.
Now we see the criminals displaying their deeds in the Church; but evil never wins and right never loses, and the Church will continue to do its part, as well as pray... "Eternal Father bless our Land. Guide us with Thy mighty hands. Keep us free from evil powers. Be our light through countless hours..."
Darren Murphy
Ministerial Graduate
Recruitment and Retention Officer, NCU
optimistmurphy8626@gmail.com
Church no longer a place of refuge
-->
The cities of refuge were towns in the Kingdom of Israel and Kingdom of Judah in which the perpetrators of manslaughter could claim the right of asylum; outside of these cities, blood and vengeance against such perpetrators was allowed by law.
Citizens of Israel knew and identified the places of refuge. It was observed that once someone entered the place they were safe. There are several other aspects to the Biblical regulations and specific reference to the priestly and Deuteronomic Codes governing places of refuge and a judiciary process that follows. However, I would like to highlight the fact of observance with regards to being safe once a perpetrator entered a place of refuge.
Now this is not Israel, but Jamaica. Certainly St Andrew is not a designated kingdom and neither is Bull Bay a city of refuge; however it is observed in this nation and some places in the world that a church is a place of refuge where people consider safe. This is why I believe Chad Telfer entered the place of worship.
It is beyond me to think men would enter a building considered a place of refuge and take the life of another in the full view of children.
This act is a clear display of men with desperately wicked hearts and a nation in trouble. I recall overhearing a song Run guh inna church" by Mavado, which makes explicit the idea that going into a church cannot save an individual if someone decides to kill him. Another artiste Popcaan also has this line in a song, "Not even Jesus can save dem when the b**** rifle buss... bwoy drop pon di grung head leak out and the wall stick up." Then there is Vybz Kartel, "Mi murder people inna broad daylight..." Some will say the music has nothing to do with this and its mere social commentary and freedom of speech. Social commentary, huh?!
I guess when you have a personal experience we can comment on that too. It is not only absurd or ridiculous to think this way, but grossly retarded. It is a tragedy for us to continue living oblivious to these stark realities, and it is to our detriment if we do not amend aspects of the freedom of expression law entrenched in Section 22 of the constitution to curtail these artistes.
I do not know what this young man did, but to kill him, and at the altar for that matter, shows blatant disregard for life, the sanctity of a place of worship, and I dare say a place of refuge. Some months ago National Security Minister Peter Bunting was reduced to tears while he spoke on the metastasising issue of crime of violence. He noted that divine intervention was necessary to fight it and that the Church would be an ally.
Now we see the criminals displaying their deeds in the Church; but evil never wins and right never loses, and the Church will continue to do its part, as well as pray... "Eternal Father bless our Land. Guide us with Thy mighty hands. Keep us free from evil powers. Be our light through countless hours..."
Darren Murphy
Ministerial Graduate
Recruitment and Retention Officer, NCU
optimistmurphy8626@gmail.com
Church no longer a place of refuge
-->