Walrond’s Report Hit a Nerve
Barbados
Advocate, February 21, 2005
By Charles Lunn
Most Barbadians would agree, I would think, that
Professor Walrond’s reported recommendations on HIV/AIDS has done more to
educate and sensitise people, generally, of the consequential painful ravages
they face, if they fail to exercise responsible measures of protection in
their sexual lifestyles and habits; than all of the indoor lectures/talks and
TV promos. This is so because of the intense and passionate debates on the
radio call-in talk shows, which judging from discussions one hears in the
court yards, churches, supermarkets, on the streets, beaches, buses and
playing fields, has reached into each village and hamlet of this country.
Commentators of related disciplines seems to have made
the decriminalisation of buggery—homosexuality and prostitution central
themes to the debate, zealously relying on Bible teaching in arguments that
establish testing levels of their comprehension and emotional state. None
moreso than talk-show host Mr. Peter Wickham, who in a masterful display of
debating skills married the degree of morality professing Christians assign to
homosexuality vis-à-vis adultery and fornication, stunning his critics into
finding a logical reasoning counter argument. I have joined issue with Mr.
Wickham on his belief in the writings of the Bible, but I must concede that
his subsequent references to written scriptures has led me to conclude that he
is a widely read student of the Bible and like most students of the Bible
writings, hold some reservations on certain passages of scriptures that seem
to be in conflict with other passages, as interpreted by scholars down the
centuries.
Of material interest to Wickham’s provocative stance on
the Bible is that like Father Andrew Hatch, he always finishes his programmes
in reverence to God, by invoking His will and presence. This suggest to me
that he accepts the presence, power and rulership of God.
Professor Walrond in his report and Mr. Peter Wickham in
his provocative style of debate have done well to arouse the consciousness of
most Barbadians to examine their own lives in relation to those two great
commandments—love the Lord thy God; love thy neighbour as thyself—for in
these we will see ourselves in every homosexual, adulterer and fornicator,
seeking to comfort them, not condemning them.
Hopefully, we will one day be able to excite that same
fervour and intensity in a national debate on the illicit drug culture.
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