By SANCHESKA BROWN
Tribune Staff Reporter
sbrown@tribunemedia.net
BISHOP SIMEON Hall yesterday criticised the Christian Council for paying too much attention to webshops and gambling and ignoring the other important issues of the country.
In a press release, Bishop Hall said the Christian Council and other religious leaders need to come together and redirect their efforts towards “other areas of our national life” that he said have gone unnoticed.
“For the past two years, webshops and gambling has been a priority for the Christian Council, other areas such as education, family life, public health, job creation and crime have fallen below the concern of this august body.
“While I appreciate the position the Council took, some of its proponents were unchristian in their stance on a matter that calls for personal conscience. The present Executive of the Council is aware that where was no unanimous vote held by the Christian community,” he said.
“I was astonished that in this critical era in our nations history the Christian community can gather 78 Church Leaders in a meeting to protest webshops, but cannot get 12 of the same members to address crime or other more vexing issues which face us.”
Bishop Hall said he does not believe regularizing webshops will cause Bahamians to gamble more or want to gamble.
He said: “If webshops are illegal - indeed a crime, then we ought to obliterate them or regulate them.
“Regularisation will not introduce gaming to the Bahamas, but seeks to normalize and tax them for the benefit of all.
“The council must not be so absorbed in one issue until others go unnoticed. The body must be more socially conscious and ubiquitous in its approach as a national body.”
Last week, Christian Council President Ranford Patterson says he was disappointed with the government’s decision to push forward with legalising and taxing the numbers industry.
Rev Patterson, who made it clear that he will not support any future referenda – including a planned vote to overhaul the Bahamas’ Constitution, said the Christie administrations actions have categorised the opinions of the electorate as “worthless”.
Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe announced that the governemnt will regularise and tax webshop gaming by July 1.
Legislation to legalise the industry is expected to be brought to the House of Assembly within the next two weeks.
Comments
CANDACESCOTT 10 years, 9 months ago
IF I AM IN A FIGHT...I DONT WANT SIMEON HALL ON MY SIDE!
Thinker 10 years, 9 months ago
He's right, whether you agree or not. If you believe in The Bible's teachings, it clearly states that we are to have free will. Making things illegal does not make people moral.
CANDACESCOTT 10 years, 9 months ago
HE IS COMPROMISED! BROUGHT WITH A PRICE AND I DONT MEAN THE BLOOD OF JESUS.
WAS IT 30 PIECE OF SILVER OR $30KS... DONT WANT TO GET MY FACT MIXED UP!
carlh57 10 years, 9 months ago
Sure, we'll turn our heads and ignore...haha..., turn our heads and focus on other stuff which is exactly what he would want people to do so things can stay the same-o'same-o crap....and he gets his monthly payout.....
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