FNM Chairman Darron Cash criticised Prime Minister Perry Christie and Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis for “declaring war on the church” with their recent statements on the gambling issue.
On Thursday, Mr Christie criticised religious critics, saying he does not see web shop regulation as a “sinful action”. He also stressed that regulating the industry is the right thing to do.
Later that day, while speaking in the House of Assembly on the Gaming Bill, Mr Davis accused the Christian Council of “turning a blind eye” to web shop operations over the years so that the underground sector was able to flourish.
Their comments came after several religious leaders accused the government of abandoning democracy by overriding the January 2013 referendum and regulating web shops.
“In response to these criticisms, the prime minister has taken his ‘all powerful’ posturing to another level with him and Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis declaring war on the church,” Mr Cash said in a statement released yesterday. “Their attacks on the church have been crude and unbecoming, and the significance of the Christie government’s assault on the church cannot be understated. Members of the religious community have expressed very strong principled positions based in large part on the prime minister’s own words. The prime minister and his deputy decided to lead an assault on the church for taking principled positions.”
Mr Cash said the prime minister’s stance on the church is “regrettable” considering his handling of the many controversies that have erupted during his term in office.
He added that Mr Christie no longer has “the moral authority” to govern the country because he has lost the trust of the Bahamian people.
Mr Cash also suggested that the prime minister’s ability to govern may be “compromised” and questioned if Mr Christie’s hesitation to act on the scandals plaguing his administration was because of fear that those involved may spill government secrets. “It appears that all the prime minister can do is talk because he may be too compromised to act,” said Mr Cash. “On Renward Wells the speculation is that the PM can’t act because he gave Mr Wells the instructions to sign the Letter of Intent.
“On Leslie Miller’s monumental failures at BEC – and with Miller being a man who has openly threatened the prime minister – Mr Christie can’t act because Miller (BEC executive chairman) knows where the bodies are buried and is prepared to talk.
“On Real Property Tax cheats – including the VAT co-ordinator’s in your face flaunting of the law, this PM will not act against his friend,” Mr Cash claimed, referring to former VAT co-ordinator Ishmael Lightbourne, who owed the government thousands in real property tax.
Mr Cash added: “Despite his hard talk directed at the church, Prime Minister Christie has proven to be weak. This is because he appears to be a prime minister too compromised to govern effectively.
“We repeat what we in the FNM said even before the religious leaders said the same thing; by going against the ‘no’ vote Prime Minister Christie has zero credibility left with the Bahamian people. He has lost the moral authority to govern because he has lost the trust of the people. His words mean nothing to the people because he never honours his commitments to the people.”
Comments
John 9 years, 7 months ago
It is becoming a grave concern for the amount of misinformation and deliberate false information that is being fed to the Bahamian people by the press today...almost to the point of shocking. This is especially true of a number of the radio talk shows that come on earlier in the morning or in the late afternoon/evening. While I do not support gambling I understand that there are people who participate in in and if the prime minister must make a tough and hard decision, then yes it must be upon his own conscience, even after taking advice and counsel from others. If the statement that, "no church can guarantee me a passport to heaven" is unChristain or an attack on the religious community, then someone needs to show me those churches that can guarantee me a place in heaven.
This is not the first time there is conflict between the church and the state because even in biblical times Christ had to declare "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's" (Ἀπόδοτε οὖν τὰ Καίσαρος Καίσαρι καὶ τὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ τῷ Θεῷ).[Matthew 22:21]
This phrase has become a widely quoted summary of the relationship between Christianity and secular authority. The original message, coming in response to a question of whether it was lawful for Jews to pay taxes to Caesar, gives rise to multiple possible interpretations about the circumstances under which it is desirable for the Christian to submit to earthly authority , " wikpedia.
In this instance the church seem to be over stepping its boundries and attempting to force its will on the government of the Bahamas and acting not like a child of God but a spoilt child when it cannot have its way.
In this instance it appears that it is the church that is overstepping it's bounderies For example, one Mennonite explained why he was not a war tax resister this way:
"We are against war and do not wish to aid the war effort by conscription or by paying war taxes to the government. Doing so only helps to strengthen and perpetuate the war machine. Matthew 22:21 Jesus said "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's." Romans 13:1 "Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God and those which exist are established by God." If the law of the land is that everyone must pay war taxes then that is what we must do. It is the law! We should however, work and pray extremely hard to change the law. The ideal situation would be to have the law abolished. The alternative would be to have a choice of designating our portion of the war tax towards efforts of peacemaking. This route would be a more lawful, constructive, and positive effort.[11]"
ALL Governments are appointed by the authority of GOD!
jlcandu 9 years, 7 months ago
Governments are not appointed, they are elected by the people to represent the people. In the western hemisphere, we no longer have monarchies where kings and queens were appointed based on familiar ties.
And, what is even more reprehensible, is that this hapless government asked the people their wishes on this issue. Only PC and WN have the "authority" to vote "yes" on this bill since only their constituencies voted a majority for legalization of numbers houses. All the other MP's should have voted "no" according to the wishes of their constituents.
This government does not have the intestinal fortitude to go what is right -- shut them down, confiscate their assets and throw them in prison. Pass a suitable legislation and establish a National Lottery. Then open the doors for suitable applicants to sell lottery tickets.
This bill is a mockery to all that is good and sensible -- it is only to placate to a bunch of criminals and criminality.
John 9 years, 7 months ago
more on the subject:Ammon Hennacy interpreted Matthew 22:21 slightly differently. He was on trial for civil disobedience and was asked by the judge to reconcile his tax resistance with Jesus' instructions. "I told him Caesar was getting too much around here and some one had to stand up for God." Elsewhere, he interpreted the story in this way: [Jesus] was asked if He believed in paying taxes to Caesar. In those days different districts had different money and the Jews had to change their money into that of Rome, so Jesus asked, not for a Jewish coin, but for a coin with which tribute was paid, saying "Why tempt me?" Looking at the coin He asked whose image and superscription was there inscribed and was told that it was Caesar's. Those who tried to trick Him knew that if He said that taxes were to be paid to Caesar He would be attacked by the mobs who hated Caesar, and if He refused to pay taxes there would always be some traitor to turn Him in. His mission was not to fight Caesar as Barabbas had done, but it was to chase the moneychangers out of the Temple and to establish His own Church. Whether He winked as much as to say that any good Jew knew that Caesar did not deserve a thing as He said, "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and unto God what is God's," or not, no one knows.…Despite what anyone says each of us has to decide for himself whether to put the emphasis upon pleasing Caesar or pleasing God. We may vary in our reasons for drawing the line here or there as to how much we render unto Caesar. I make my decision when I remember that Christ said to the woman caught in sin, "Let him without sin first cast a stone at her." I remember His "Forgive seventy times seven," which means no Caesar at all with his courts, prisons and war.[24]
concernedcitizen 9 years, 7 months ago
@JOHN ONLY THING ,RENDER UNTO CAESER WAS NEVER SPOKEN BY JESUS BUT PUT IN BY KING JAMES B/C HIS PEOPLE WERE NOT PAYING THEIR TAXES
John 9 years, 7 months ago
Well you need to prove that to me. Especially since it is in other versions of the bible
Sickened 9 years, 7 months ago
John, likewise, you will need to prove that anything written in the bible is true and should be believed.
John 9 years, 7 months ago
Not so In Christ we move by faith not by sight. My duty is not to prove the word of God but being of the faith accept that it is written. Since you claim it is not the word of God but the writings of King James you have a duty to prove your claim. If you reject the word of God you would reject my proclamation that it is the word of God even more.
DreamerX 9 years, 7 months ago
But the bible is a collection of silly stories compiled over hundreds to a thousand years. It's utter trash and a tool.
TalRussell 9 years, 7 months ago
The PLP had accused the Hubert regime of many things leading up to and during the 2012 General Elections but 99% didn't stick to the PLP.. It seems the reds Comrade Chairman has little understanding of what voters eventually vote for and what they have long forgotten they were suppose to vote against. Come 2017 few will take Comrade Renard's Letter of Intent with them into the polling booths when it cometh that time to mark their X's. Go ask Hubert, if I talking right or not? We are still years away from 2017 and how many voters even remember what in hell was that Cubans fuss all about at the detention center? But few voters can forget how the reds teamed- up with that Cuban Movement Group out Miami, Florida. That one stuck good with crazy glue up in they heads.
John 9 years, 7 months ago
yet another view:
The fragmentary Egerton Gospel in the Scholar's Version translation (found in The Complete Gospels) 3:1-6 reads:[26]
They come to him and interrogate him as a way of putting him to the test. They ask, "Teacher, Jesus, we know that you are [from God], since the things you do put you above all the prophets. Tell us, then, is it permissible to pay to rulers what is due them? Should we pay them or not?" Jesus knew what they were up to, and became indignant. Then he said to them, "Why do you pay me lip service as a teacher, but not [do] what I say? How accurately Isaiah prophesied about you when he said, 'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart stays far away from me; their worship of me is empty, [because they insist on teachings that are human] commandments […]'" Pastor K needs to do a self inventory before blasting people in authority on the radio show, in fact who is he to call an election? Then he is so rude and arrogant to persons who have a different view or does not agree with him. Pure empty lip service!
Emac 9 years, 7 months ago
Preach!
birdiestrachan 9 years, 7 months ago
Cash is only playing politics. The Preacher should know that we all have to stand before A great and Mighty yet forgiving God for ourselves. The Minister who said he would pray that those who vote for the gaming bill should loose their seats. is so very wrong. Why pray for evil for them. .My Beloved Jesus on the Cross. said "Father Forgive them" why would a mere mortal seek vengeance.? It makes one wonder. by the way Cash do you have any more BOB Business you would like to give to the public?
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 7 months ago
Oh please, the PM is the one who brought faith into the conversation. I read his remarks and wondered who exactly he was responding to. As far as I am aware nobody questioned his faith or his love for Jesus. Their question or statement was HOW CAN YOU GO AGAINST THE REFERENDUM OUTCOME WHEN YOU ASKED THE PEOPLE TO VOTE AND TELL YOU WHAT THEY WANT. that's it.
As fir BOB, I'd rather hear from the Minister of Finance, I'd like to know if any loans were forgiven for any sitting representatives earning in excess of 60,000 per year.
John 9 years, 7 months ago
Wasn't the PM's remarks in response to the clergy who went to the house dressed in all black, claiming death of democracy because the government is proceeding with the gaming bill?
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 7 months ago
Yes. That's exactly my point, they challenged him on his politics. If you read his response you would have sworn they told him he was going to hell because he supported gambling. His response quoting John 3:16 was very strange
jlcandu 9 years, 7 months ago
It's called demonstrating for what is right -- I thought Bahamians had the right to gather together for peaceful demonstrations?? Or is that only when they agree with the government??
asiseeit 9 years, 7 months ago
This, the answer is a state secret as it could cause riots and the downfall of our government.
concernedcitizen 9 years, 7 months ago
BOB is the new development bank ,Birdie you get your cash ,,,hmm i mean loan yet ..??
birdiestrachan 9 years, 7 months ago
Sure did get my loan Now you check with Cash so that he can tell you I have not paid my loan and I do not intend to pay, if it will make you folks feel better. .The FNM's their leader Dr. Minnis and all who are blind and follow the blind say. Mr. Christie can not make a decision... Their theme song.. He has made one now,. and they do not like it. Dr: Minnis and his other house members, I hope know better, and they are only trying to oppose a good common sense...bill. it makes them appear to be not to smart at all, For sure common sense is not common. It appears more and more every day as if Dr. Minnis wants the Bahamas to fail.
jlcandu 9 years, 7 months ago
This bill doesn't make any sense -- have you actually read it???
And it is bill-ducking people like you that make ripping off our National Insurance funds to prop up a useless bank because it is suffering losses cause people like you don't pay your bills.
Birdie, you have no credibility to speak on this issue.
John 9 years, 7 months ago
Would the church prefer that the PLP turn a blind eye to the web shops and allow them to continue to grow and fester untaxed and unregulated like under the previous government? The industry was growing too fast and taking too much money out of the economy. One of the saddest things I witnessed was a man walking around the church yard selling numbers at a funeral and people trying to find out the deceased age to buy the number. That is where Jesus drew the line and cleared (cleansed) the temple to establish a new church.
licks2 9 years, 7 months ago
Hehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe. . . this the PLP drumline aye? The whole bunch of PLPs dem sounded like a pack of fools dem trynna justify their "sell-out" gambling bill in the house!
Emac 9 years, 7 months ago
I always find it amusing when politicians use religion as the basis of their argument. They know just how to get these Bahamians dem all riled up. Even though I always lean more towards the FNM policies and philosophies verses the PLP dem, I can say that the good chairman is talkin fool right about now. The FNM needs to stop trying to play on Bahamians emotions and really offer an alternative to this corrupt PLP government. Cause when ya bring Christianity in it, none a dem politicians gat the moral authority to govern.
John 9 years, 7 months ago
Your argument would hold water except it was the clergymen that brought religion into the mix and not the politicians. They questioned the authority of the government. When there was a response (not to their liking) they claim the church was under attack.
TalRussell 9 years, 7 months ago
Comrade Daron believes Preacherman's Myles is a talking sense Bahamalander, so judge him for whom he keeps company with? In doing a comparison to what flows out mouth of even Papa Hubert, da Papa sounds pretty damn tame next to Preacherman's Myles mouthing off. Have you ever heard such things flowing from holy man's mouth?
DEDDIE 9 years, 7 months ago
I agree with Mr. Cash on this one. As an employer, I allowed my employee time off to go and vote. I did it because it is the requirement of the law. I don't have money to waste on an opinion poll. Mr Christie word means absolutely nothing to me. Forget the religious aspect of it. We were lead to believe that the referendum result meant something.
The_Oracle 9 years, 7 months ago
Mr. Christie is caught between a rock and a hard place, betwixt doing the lawful and right thing, shut them down confiscate the illegal ill gotten gains and jail them, and then himself for accepting their money for their election purchase, or legalizing them which will have dire consequences for the entire country no matter how you voted or if you play numbers or not. As for heaven and hell, I sure hope there is a heaven, cause they're creating hell on earth right here.
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 7 months ago
Weird thing is Flowers was convicted of illegal gambling and that ruling still stands. Fox was indicted in the US...Ryan Pinder says convicted criminals can hold gaming licenses...Rock, hard place meet sheer cliff.
TheMadHatter 9 years, 7 months ago
DPM Davis is right. WHEN has the Church marched on Bay Street against the number houses? When has any church's members pulled up in a bus outside a number house and started handing out leaflets and preaching against those wishing to enter?
The Christian Council comprises many many churches and could pull together 5,000 people easily to march and shut down Bay Street and stop the taxis from getting to Atlantis to get their point across to Govt - to shut them down.
But, of course, all the members of the church play numbers themselves. You can't tell me that number house customers are only all the people who never go to church !!!
It's like a former PM said about the Haitian crisis. Bahamians want to send all the Haitians back "except my Haitian." Same here - shut all the number houses down (except the one I play in).
TheMadHatter
mostsickandtired 9 years, 7 months ago
Thank you, Mad Hatter! These self righteous clergy have never done anything to stop the numbers houses or the people that play there. They don't offer no counseling services, they don't mention it as a sin when they are evangelizing. If they had really tried to stop this scourge I would have supported them, but it will take Government programs to help the people who have a gambling problem...unfortunately not the church. They have accepted their filthy lucre and never did anything to help these people. The government is totally right to legalize this trade.
TheMadHatter 9 years, 7 months ago
Thank you for your support. TheMadHatter is considering an independent run for Prime Minister next election. With your help, we can transform the Bahamas into a 21st century nation of equality and opportunity for all.
TheMadHatter 9 years, 7 months ago
All citizens - i mean.
John 9 years, 7 months ago
There are problems with the bill. For example what gives those who will get licences qualifications over the rest of Bahamians? Also why is there still going to be a discrimination clause in the bill (Bahamians vs foreingers). This bill could never pass into law in the US. Also how long will webshop licenses be for? Meaning how will the rest of Bahamian citizens who do not get an opportunity in the first instance become get an opportunity to operate a webshop? Should all operators be required to offer shares to the Bahamian public. Then how is it that you can only become an operator at the invitation of the minister. This is an avenue for corruption and favourtism since it means that not only must you be known to the minister but in good favour with him even to get nvited. This part of the bill must be changed. Persons should be allowed to tender based on a list of requirements and the person kost qualified is selected. By a board and not just one individual.
kairosmatt 9 years, 7 months ago
Tax the number houses and the TAX THE CHURCH.
Then we don't need VAT or duty.
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