Gay cruise ship seen as possible threat to morality and decency

BY AVA TURNQUEST

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

A GROUP of evangelical pastors are concerned that the visit of a gay cruise ship to the Bahamas could potentially threaten the "morality and decency" of the country's "Judeo-Christian" heritage.

In response to the resurgence of intent made by gay cruise organisers to make the Bahamas its port-of-call, the Bahamas Coalition of Evangelical Pastors has reaffirmed its opposition.

Due to the potentially lasting negative effect they feel such events will impact, the group pledged: "Please be assured that we would be taking the very same position, and with the same fervour, if this were a cruise dedicated to self-proclaimed adulterers, fornicators, liars or any other such biblically defined sinful behaviour, who have it as their determined end purpose to have that sinful behaviour accepted as a morally legitimate lifestyle."

Defended

Two weeks ago, organisers of the expected gay cruise, defended their decision to come to the Bahamas, arguing that the homophobic incidents experienced in the Bahamas happen everywhere.

Cindy Brown, Miami Gay Pride operations director, claims the only way to affect a change in public perception of homosexuals was to "allow them to see who we really are".

While the Evangelical Pastors maintain their intent is not to discourage any individual from visiting the Bahamas, they feel it is imperative that visiting persons are not allowed to mock the country's values and ideals by "openly flaunting" contrary social behaviour.

A statement said: "It is our hope that the Ministry of Tourism and the organisers of these types of events would make a concerted effort to communicate our country's societal and cultural norms regarding homosexual conduct, especially in public places."

The pastors maintained that they were in no way a hate group, but instead seek means to " prayerfully, lawfully, and lovingly" prevent the Bahamas from 'falling prey' to the evolving global mentality towards homosexuality as a legitamate and acceptable lifestyle.

Published On:Monday, March 01, 2010