By KHRISNA VIRGIL
Tribune Staff Reporter
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
RANFORD Patterson, Bahamas Christian Council President, says he would not support a gay political candidate amid a discussion as to the direction the country is to go with the rights of the LGBT community.
Rev Patterson told reporters yesterday that the country would never vote for a gay candidate, charging that he did not understand the rights for which lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons were lobbying.
He was weighing in on the matter as reporters sought a response on a continuing spat between Bahamas Faith Ministries President Dr Myles Munroe and Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell.
“Someone asks the question whether we are ready for a gay Minister or gay Member of Parliament the answer is still no,” said Rev Patterson. “Do not tell me that you expect me to support you. The country would never vote for a gay candidate in an election. It is against what the Bible speaks about.
“I have no problem with that (the content of character argument). With people being treated based on their abilities. But what is the purpose of declaring that you are a homosexual? What is the purpose of that? What do we gain by it? I know people are saying they want rights. What rights do they want? They can go everywhere I go in this country.”
The Cousin McPhee Cathedral pastor added that he did not believe persons in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community were born of their respective persuasions, but that it was a choice to practice an alternative lifestyle.
The discussion of LGBT rights was sparked weeks ago when Mr Mitchell made a speech in Trinidad that his political career suffers because of his position on the matter. However, Dr Munroe said the Minister should keep his personal convictions to himself and stressed that he did not speak for the entire country.
Later Mr Mitchell hit out saying that “ignorance is a strange thing” as he responded to calls for his resignation from Dr Munroe.
On Wednesday, Mr Mitchell cautioned Dr Munroe not to “mess with him” saying that he believed the criticisms had turned personal.
However, Mr Patterson said he viewed the words as an attempt to muzzle Dr Munroe.
“Dr Myles Munroe has a right to preach the gospel. Now if there are personal attacks I have a problem with that, but based on what I hear Dr Myles was stating a position. The disappointing part for me is when a Minister is going to blatantly say to the Bahamian people don’t mess with me as if we can expect something else from him.
“I don’t understand where he is coming from. It would be a cold day in hell when preachers cannot preach the gospel in this country.
“The challenge that I have is when we are going to try and muzzle preachers from speaking what we know is truth,” Rev Patterson said.
Comments
TalRussell 10 years, 1 month ago
C'Mon Comrade Preacherman's Ranford are you trying say that there are none, not even one elected House MP, even some preacherman's, who if you were pull they zipper's down, you might not find them wearing some cute lil panty under them man's pants? When was the last time you or your preacherman's preached from the pulpit against polygamy, like there ain't some of your church members who committing the sin of polygamy
PastorTroy 10 years, 1 month ago
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vinceP 10 years, 1 month ago
Just a next publicity grabbing hound!
stillwaters 10 years, 1 month ago
What the hell????????
newcitizen 10 years, 1 month ago
The bible says it is a sin to eat shell fish, but I'm sure Patterson has no problem eating a big helping of conch salad. This is just another hypocritical stance by religious leaders. They pick and chose what suits them to judge others.
henny 10 years, 1 month ago
I love it.......TalRussell and Pastor Troy!! I couldn't agree with you more. Don't judge others if you are without sin. Rev Patterson states he and the country would never vote for a gay candidate & that he doesn't understand what rights LGBT are looking for. That is a rediculous statement to make coming from someone supposedly intelligent. I would imagine they want to be respected by all individuals and NOT be discriminated against because of their belief and lifestyle. No one has to agree with them but you must show respect. Only God has the right to judge.
Arrow 10 years, 1 month ago
Should who someone sleeps with determine how good or bad they are at performing their duties? I do not agree with the lifestyle of LGBT i do not agree with the promiscuity of heterosexuals. i do however, believe in PERFORMANCE!
Honestman 10 years, 1 month ago
Me thinks we need a reply from Pastor Patterson, LOL.
Amalgamate 10 years, 1 month ago
Pardon any perceived racism, but the old adage applies here-"Never trust a bigoted negro for they shame their own people's past persecution"
birdiestrachan 10 years, 1 month ago
I would vote for a gay person. because I will see them as human beings. Made in the image of a great and mighty God. and I would leave their Judgment to the God who made them. A God who is full of mercy a.just God. Who says My ways are not you ways. Does Reverend Patterson believe that God loves him more than he loves the gay person?
The Reverend Patterson seems to be a very pompous individual. Jesus Christ was not. He died for sinners all of us Patterson did not.
pat242 10 years, 1 month ago
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pat242 10 years, 1 month ago
And by the way gay rights does exist. Because every Bahamian is governed under the constitution. I am unaware of any gay or lesbian who is denied access to any public setting. Gays and lesbians hold top, middle and low paying job jobs in this country. So obviously they are all over the place. I have visited a developed city in The Bahamas where gays and lesbians walk about like a pack of wolfs and to me they look happy. No one is harassing nor physically harming they because of the sexual choice they made. The only thing i suspect they want is marriage. I cannot and will not support that. I believe in a family unity where both mother and father work equally to raise children. How can you teach a boy to be a man when two woman going at it. It is confusion and wrong and nasty.
Vickytg 10 years, 1 month ago
So its your human right to marry who you love but its not our right to marry who we love. FYI there is already a legal same sex marriage in the Bahamas. Married by a judge 25 + years ago. I am one half of that proof.
concernedcitizen 10 years, 1 month ago
Tell the Pastor we have voted for gay men and lesbian women ,,A lesbian was voted in btw/ 2002 and 2007 and was a heart attack/stroke away from being our leader ,,,,,
concernedcitizen 10 years, 1 month ago
Why are the gay people in church so against gays ,,when they protested the gay cruise ship i thought it was a welcoming party ,,,,,,lmao
TalRussell 10 years, 1 month ago
Comrades I'm pretty sure, if the BCC were to ask God what he thinks about same sex relationships, He'd respond with; "What does speaking out against same-sex relationships have do do with keeping you preacherman's busy for God."
Maynergy 10 years, 1 month ago
Jeremiah 23: 10 - 32: Lying Prophets For the land is full of adulterers; For the land mourns because of the curse. The pastures of the wilderness have dried up. Their course also is evil And their might is not right. 11"For both prophet and priest are polluted; Even in My house I have found their wickedness," declares the LORD. 12"Therefore their way will be like slippery paths to them, They will be driven away into the gloom and fall down in it; For I will bring calamity upon them, The year of their punishment," declares the LORD.
Vickytg 10 years, 1 month ago
"But what is the purpose of declaring that you are a homosexual? What is the purpose of that? What do we gain by it? I know people are saying they want rights. What rights do they want? They can go everywhere I go in this country" The purpose is we declare it so one day we will have equal rights and we will not have to declare it we will simply live it. We will be able to marry who we love just like you. We will be able to hold hands with the person we love just like you. We will not have to stand and look someone in the eye and wonder if this is the day someone kills us because we are different. To receive proper medical care with out discrimination or judgement just like you.
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