The affable minister of tourism and St James East Central Member of Parliament Edmund Bartlett was recently quoted as saying that we should pray for his parliamentary colleague National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang who has found himself in a most stressful and unpopular situation because of the country’s horrendous crime problem.

Strangely enough, this is yet another way of asking for divine intervention, which was scoffed at when a former minister of national security, the People’s National Party’s Peter Bunting, in tears, made such a call to the Almighty. This speaks to the high level of hypocrisy in Jamaica’s political culture, whereby it boils down to who says what, when and where.

But where is the Church in all of this?

It has been established via the Guinness World Records that Jamaica has the most churches per square mile in the world. In every nook and cranny in this country churches abound, competing with bars and other less spiritually inclined meeting places. Politicians are known to use biblical expressions on the campaign trail to rouse support for their particular party, and it is no secret that the political directorate has traditionally been wary of going against the dictates of the Church on such matters as abortion, casino gaming, the buggery law, and the practice of Obeah that is rampant in the society. Indeed, another former National Security Minister Robert Montague, in an obvious act of frustration (and perhaps desperation), threatened to engage the service of his Obeah man uncle!

Every Sunday, and other worship days, pastors as well as other spiritual leaders pray for our political leaders. In fact, both the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches perpetually include in their prayers the prime minister and leader of the Opposition, so it is safe to say that the beleaguered Dr Chang is already getting much prayerful help. However, in the meantime, many Jamaicans are turning to the spirits rather than to the Spirit (Holy) for solace, comfort, and a temporary escape from their stressed-out lives. One may well ask, against this background, if the Church/religion is failing in its age-old task of rescuing the perishing and caring for the dying. After all, Molly and other mind-changing substances have been replacing spiritual pursuits, such as going down on one’s knees and praying.

To many world travellers Jamaica is the closest to being a paradise on Earth, given its natural beauty and wonderful climate. Unfortunately, what the Arawaks affectionately called Land of Wood and Water (Xaymaca) has become a “Land of Violence and Corruption”. Almost daily people are killed or seriously maimed by seemingly bloodthirsty inhabitants; guns that cost much to purchase are in the hands of young men who cannot afford the next meal; indiscipline and chaos abound, especially in urban areas; family life is breaking down at an alarming rate; and political tribalism, for the most part, determines the fortunes of the masses who continue to put their trust in God and the politician (not necessarily in that order).

In all of this my main concern is the role of religion in seeking to heal this sin-sick nation. Various descriptions in quotes about religion oftentimes bring to the fore that the worshipping of God (whomever or whatever we presume Him/Her to be) may well highlight the various perceived inadequacies or expectations, in terms of prescriptions for resolving this perennial crisis of violence and mayhem.

“Religion is the opium of the people” is undoubtedly one of the most frequently referred to statements from German economist Karl Marx. In fact, the full quotation reads: “Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people.” An expanded interpretation of this viewpoint would suggest that, in the same way some people use a drug to escape from the cruel circumstances of their existence, religion provides such a choice to flee from worldly ills and be washed in the blood of the Lamb.

Many of us, like Bartlett, Bunting, and Montague, believe in God and that He sent His only begotten son, Jesus, to save us from eternal damnation. However, my beef is with many Christian practitioners in Jamaica, where Christianity is the primary religion, who behave mainly as business moguls using salvation as a commodity not just to win souls but to fatten theirs and their churches’ bank accounts. In the same way that politicians resort to religion when all else has failed.

If Jesus Christ were to return to Earth today, how would He relate to those who are supposed to be the shepherds taking care of the flocks, inclusive of politicians? Some of the richest and most affluent pastors preside over congregations that comprise hordes of poor people. And it is among such flocks that the most heinous crimes are committed, not to mention that many churchgoers “live worst than puss and dog”.

In this vein, our politicians, like the Sadducees and Pharisees, have continued to exploit and “jinnal” the people while feathering their own nests as well as those of their relatives and cronies.

History has shown that religion can be very divisive, causing wars, segregation, intolerance, condescension, and persecution, not to mention cynicism. How often do Christians practise what they preach? And are Christians in Jamaica being true to their calling or is the Church just another big business venture preying on the fears and distress of the people in the same way that music can make you forget your troubles and dance? Are our politicians part of this two-faced scenario, only calling on God when they have painted themselves into a corner as seems to be the case with successive governments’ failed crime-fighting strategies?

It is my contention that the Church, collectively, is not doing enough to salvage Jamaica socially, spiritually, and economically. In this same breath, one is tempted to remain sceptical when the Church and State join hands in prayer, which may well be perceived as a final act of desperation.

Staging marches, mass rallies, and keeping big tent meetings may bring in more “customers”, but such public relations stints end up, most times, being merely cosmetic and transitory. By his deeds must a man be known, in the same way that Christians must love their neighbours regardless of who or what they are, and most importantly, they must lead by example not just pay lip service by way of prayer. That is not to say that prayer does not and cannot work. Indeed, prayer, when sincerely pursued, can be a most powerful source for good and redemption.

In a country where corruption is rampant, greed exceeds need, and violence remains the first response mechanism to any personal or community crisis, Jesus must be one of the main solutions to our problems.

As Abraham Lincoln said: “My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.” It behoves our politicians to be on God’s side.

Lloyd B Smith has been involved in Jamaican media for the past 46 years. He has also served as a Member of Parliament and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representaives. He hails from western Jamaica where he is popularly known as the Governor. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or lbsmith4@gmail.com.