LETTER: We are not a Christian nation and that’s fine

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We are not a Christian nation and that’s fine

Constitutionally, we allow religious freedom but we constantly hear the phrase that we are a “Christian” nation. But if we think more deeply about it for a few minutes, we can dispel this myth.

Firstly, starting in the church, much of what is practiced is not Biblical. The Bible is said to be the guide for Christians but in many predominantly black churches including those in the Caribbean, there are practices that are not found in The Bible. “Catching The Spirit” is something that seems to be found more among black people and black- influenced churches where people start screaming out and acting like they have no control over their person. It also seems that women are more likely to “catch The Spirit” which makes me think that is more of an emotional action than spiritual. If Christians all over the island and world, gather to worship Christ, why is this behavior primarily found within certain groups? It simply is not Biblical, neither is being “slain in the Spirit.” People just react to the expectations of how they should behave to be deemed spiritual. Some of these practices are more the result of syncretism with our African heritage although we would want to distance ourselves from that.

The name it and claim it movement as well as the prosperity gospel are also not Biblical. The Bible calls for people to pick up their cross and follow Christ and to march towards the true calling of Christ and, to live holy. However, people have used the church as a get- rich- quick scheme, and have perceived God to be their personal genie. They want money, a partner, or a promotion at work and they almost act like people who believe in obeah and act militant in their pursuits to get these things. Instead of casting spells, they say that as a child of God, they are entitled to earthly riches which is not what The Bible says about Christianity. Many believers have suffered, been persecuted, and even killed for the cause of Christ. Are these martyrs not loved or chosen by God because they did not get the house on the hill? No, the call of Christ is to live holy.

Our everyday behavior is also a million miles off the mark. Galatians 5: 19- 21, “19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Now the first two alone would take out about 99% of the country. How many times do we know of people being married but “deh wid” someone else. We see them more with the other person than their spouse and seem to live a completely separate life from the person they are married to. We even see it with our politicians where the spouse appears for photo ops but other than that, they are involved with someone else. How many people refer to their child’s parents as their “baby daddy” or “my child’s mother?” Children are predominantly born out of wedlock and even when they are born within it, that doesn’t mean mommy and daddy weren’t getting it in before becoming parents.

Let’s go now to drunkenness. Our soca music glorifies drinking. We have parties such as “Lots of Liquor” and “Drink til ya Weak.” Clearly, drunkenness is readily embraced among us. And reveling? There goes the greatest summer festival, our major cultural event.

Outside of Carnival, we know what kind of music dominates our airways. Even in places occupied by children, we are hearing music about skinning out, bending over, promiscuity, and songs encouraging women to “whore out” but Ephesians 5:4 says, “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.”

There are also cultural “sinful” behaviours that go beyond the obvious. Proverbs 3:30 says, “Strive not with a man without a cause, if he has done thee no harm.”

Proverbs 4:16 also says, “For they sleep not unless they have done mischief, and their sleep is taken away unless they cause some to fall.” We have seen countless articles about toxic work places, about how absolutely EVIL Antiguans can be when they see someone elevating. You do not have to do them any wrong, they just hate you for existing and begin plotting your downfall. I could call names. I know of a lady who is heavily involved in her church and a manager somewhere and I strongly believe she loses sleep if she has not made someone miserable for the day. With the strong culture of badmindedness that we often see exhibited by “Christians” can we truly say we are “Christian” people?
It’s high time we get honest. Antiguans are widely not Christians and actually make me believe that there must be many who have not yet discovered that they are atheists because there is no way you can believe God is holy or that there’s a hell and you behave the way you do. Many Antiguans practice despicable behavior, hating their fellow man all while claiming to love a God they cannot see.

We need to completely abandon the cloak of Christianity that makes us feel like we are good people when we are not and start looking for practical solutions to move forward as a society.

I’m Just Saying

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10 COMMENTS

  1. The part about catching the spirit, I can agree with. I only read up to that part. I do not believe those actions are required for a person to be of God. Happy someone wrote this.

  2. Amen amen this is right on point.its time for the people of God to get it right.Jesus is coming.the days have been shorten for the elect sake.

  3. I have been saying this for years. There is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING CHRISTIAN about this country. The author of this letter has given many reasons and examples. I say simply turn on to one of the Cuss Radio stations of which there are at least 4 and listen for 15 minutes. Listen to the hate.

  4. The author of this letter is an idiot! This island has been christian/protestant for over 400 years. The moral failings, obscure biblical interpretations of a cult, or American evangelical practices do not change the historical and moral protestant moorings of this country.

  5. “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone”. “Father forgive me for I have sinned”. “It is better to give than receive”.
    To take what does not belong to you is pure thievery.
    All too many in high places, Christian Evangelical Churches and Politicians included, regard receiving their God-given right.
    Why in the name of God is so much evil perpetuated?

  6. I agree with Mr Byam. Does the author think that abandoning the ideals of being a Christian nation will bring us any closer to the utopia they seek? Our nation has long observed Christian values and it has anchored our society morally. There are many good honest, God-fearing Christians among us. I’m sure there are nations in the middle east and Asia that would love to have the freedoms we enjoy. Let’s be grateful for what we have and not overturn our glass because it’s only half full.

  7. You are right we are not a Christian nation, but we have many people who are Christians and are very serious about their walk with God. Those people attending carnivals and fetes are not Christians. You cannot be a Christian if you have one foot in the world and one foot serving God.
    Stop worrying about other people and work out your salvation. When you stand before God he is not going to ask you about other people, he is going to ask you about yourself

  8. Read acts chapter 2. In what is widely accepted as the birth of the church, the 120+ disciples were filled with the Holy Ghost. They spoke in other tongues and they were even accused of being drunk. This behaviour is much more biblical than imitating a forest of trees while supposedly in the presence of the the creator. I don’t know where that came from. You ever read the psalms? The reason you will see certain behaviours in some persons and not others is the Holy Spirit leads. It does not force (John 16:13). King David danced for miles before the ark of God but only because he wanted to. Incidentally, his own wife criticized him for it. This is nothing new. We’ll keep dancing, and shaking and falling down too!!

  9. People in the book of Acts spoke in other tongues so that others who don’t speak their language could hear and understand the gospel. It wasn’t noise and confusion and babbling.
    1Co 14:27-28 KJV 27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

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