The Very Reverend Father Athanasius George Williams has addressed the misconceptions within certain Christian circles about the role of artists who perform secular music.
The Reverend Father delivered an impassioned homily at the funeral service for the late soca sensation, Ricardo Drue.
Addressing a crowd of many soca performers, Father Williams encouraged the creative community to embrace their divine gifts and use their talents as a force for positive change.
Father Williams spoke directly to the artists present, acknowledging the challenges they face in a world that sometimes misunderstands the intersection of faith and creativity.
He delved into the prevailing notion within certain Protestant and evangelical circles that artists, including calypsonians, reggae artists, and soca artists, are engaged in pursuits deemed sinful.
“Let us understand in the world of Protestantism and evangelicalism, those who seem not to understand creation and culture, in their world, the world has fallen to sin,” Father Williams remarked.
Father Williams went on to challenge the misconception that artists are agents of the devil, emphasizing that the creative gifts bestowed upon them are divine blessings from God.
“Your gifts and talents are not given by any devil. You are not meant to be workaholics; you are meant to be at leisure with God, who created us in the spirit of play, joy, and laughter,” he proclaimed.
The homily urged entertainers to recognize the dynamic nature of culture and to use their talents as a means of positive societal change. Father Williams emphasized that artists, including Ricardo Drue, play a vital role in society and should not be seen as adversaries but as “gifted people of God.”
“There is a moment, a time for everything, according to the scripture passage. We must retain a stinging critique towards perceived materialism, profanity, and sexual laxity that one can categorize as excessive, especially during the Carnival season. But let us focus on the great attributes of beauty, love, and talent in performers,” Father Williams encouraged.
He concluded his message with a powerful vision for the future of entertainers, urging them to continue their creative pursuits and contribute positively to the growth of culture.
“I want to encourage all of you this afternoon to continue to sing and play on. Play on and continue to sing,” he declared.
“When the young generation hears songs like ‘Last Man Standing,’ they will ask who the singer is, and your response will be, ‘This was Ricardo Drue, a young soca artist extraordinary from Antigua and Barbuda.'”
In this moving homily, Father Athanasius George Williams offered solace, encouragement, and a profound call to embrace divine creativity, ensuring that the legacy of Ricardo Drue lives on in the hearts and performances of the talented entertainers he inspired.
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is weak? Time to turn the churches into libraries, and vocational centers where Teaching Not preaching, dominates.
God created music to glorify him and him alone. All secular songs reggae, socca and calypso, needs to influence our youths and others in society in a positive way. Too many songs advocate violence and sexual immorality.
Well said
My dear Reverent, Cultura does not superseed God’s standards or principles, you are very mistaken with your comments in your sermon.
Father in heaven help us
Can say that i expected anything different coming from this church.
God is watching
2 John 1:9-11
We need more Gino jennings
No. “We” do not need anymore of that misogynist. Maybe you do but not the rest of a progressive society.
Even those who do not believe in God or those who do not called themselves followers of Christ, know that those song are not songs that brings glory to God the Creator. That is why hell will be full of those religious leaders who mislead people into thinking that “a little alcohol is good for the stomach sake”. But what can you expect from someone who is not following the word of God in its entirety. Every word in the very Bible that you read is true and has not and cannot be changed. Stop fooling people with your false hope.
Really?
Did he quote scriptures to back up what he was spouting? He needs to point me to where in the Bible his teachings coming from. This is the issue with some so-called men of God today, they pander to their audience, congregation and the world for likes and forget the true teachings. These are truly the last days. But Jesus has promised to cleanse his body (the church)…that is coming soon and some of these charlatans will be exposed. Nonsense. You cannot serve God and money!
Lies lies straight from helll!!!!
AND THE BIBLE SAYS CALL NO MAN FATHER
CONTINUE LISTEN TO THESE MEN WE OFF TO HELL…READ YOUR BIBLE FOR YOUR SELF SEEK ANSWERS FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT
This father needs the heavenly father. He do not want to offend anyone so he sugar coats his message. Satan understands music to the highest degree and will fool and betray anyone who worships God. Look at the likes of previous great artistes that finally were destroyed by drugs, porn and other, the songs that has no glory to God. Please stop fooling people, let them know sin is sin and it can’t change as a matter of fact you can’t pray them into an eternity with God, we all need Jesus Christ in their hearts to change their lives. They need to be born again period.
I know he doesn’t want to offend but he please the devil in that statement an disgrace God he will be judge for it pastors should speak the truth
The “Reverend” himself will be JUDGED BY GOD! just like all other human beings
Hebrews 9:27
2 Corinthians 5:10
Ecclesiastes 12:14
is the church trying buy out the family anything that does not come from God comes from the devil music thats tells worn to stop naked etc how is that of God I love drue I miss his songs the place seem empty knowing he will never be around I won’t see him perform again
but this pastor need to he honest the truth is the truth these songs are not from God
it doesn’t motivate you to be a better person its all about nakedness an sexual conduct
this pastor is bias an if he can sit up there an lie then your not a man of God ur wolf in sheep clothing pastor to sugarcoat what these music are
even dancehall music too isn’t from God
A bit off here, “Rev.” I don’t believe they are doing the “devil’s work,” whatever that means, but these songs surely do not encourage godliness.
This genre of music encourages revelry ,sir,and as such cannot be endorsed by what today calls itself “Church. ”
It is reasoning like this that has brought the whole perception of church to such lows. Today, we have “churches ” participating in Carnival and other festivals. There has to be a line of demarcation somewhere, sir. Not to propagate divisions and cultism, but separatism, as advocated by scripture
Hands in the air! Debil music hab me! We behaving devilish! Whether it’s “devil’s music” or not, I care zero. The creative arts have helped many build good lives for themselves and their families without the prohibitive measures and restriction that comes with seeking higher education or getting a corporate job. I see no evil in that. I’m tired of the Bible thumpers. This religious leader is too progressive to be in the church. He needs to leave that to the snooty and self- righteous. Bibles across Antigua ought to be banned and churches shut down so people can start to think critically.
@ Chups
You need to be delivered. I love you and God loves you more.
Help is there, just ask for it.
Me notice how he was dancin’ up afta Ricardo Drue funeral. Me look pon him outside, juss shakin’ himself, enjoying d music’, havin’ one big time. Me guess de devil music tek a hold ah he den.
I’m sure if the message was one that said ‘Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand’, if it challenged men and women to give their lives to Christ and to live holy, it never would have made the papers. How unfortunate.
Hmmm, I wonder.
All RE-LIGIONS(religions) are plagiarised #BRANDS, of each other with varying degrees, of the same Mission Statement. The etymology, of the word is pellucid.
1…all plagiarised forms, of Catholism, the Church of England and Islam should be the ones being sued for REPARATIONS, by those which they enslaved and abused.
These REPARATION COMMITTEES/AGENCIES fighting on behalf of those abused by RE-Legion(religion), MUST use the precedent set in the Courts, by the Courts which found the Roman Catholic Church GUILTY for its atrocities, and have awarded HUNDREDS of MILLIONS, to their victims. SODOMY was one of their choice, of indoctrination.
All RE-LIGIONS(religions), and their profit making subsidies, MUST be made to pay all APPLICABLE TAXES into Our Treasury, just like any other FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS.
RELIGIONS ARE ALL #BRAND_NAMES!
RELIGION OWES THE PEOPLE BILLIONS OF DOLLAR IN RESTITUTION.
#RASTA ah BRAND_NAME!
#ISLAM ah BRAND NAME!
#JUDAISM ah BRAND NAME!
#CHRISTIANITY ah BRAND NAME!
#BUDDHISM ah BRAND NAME!
#LGQBTPT+ ah BRAND_NAME!
How many NAME’S is the ESSENCE of NATURE’S ETHER KNOWN BY…Buddha, allah, god, father, omnipotence, etc. etc. etc to INFINITY?
Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
De’ole Dutty Peg🦶🏿Garrat_Bastard
Vere C. Edwards
“having the appearance of Godliness, but far from the truth”.
Avoid these people. This man is no father of any.
Yes he sounds good, but so many misleading sentiments in his speech.
It would probably have been best if he had just left it at they are gifted and should use their talents to uplift society. We do have some really talented singers, and I do wish songwriters would write more meaningful songs. The artists would probably also be more popular worldwide without their scandalous lyrics, thus providing job opportunities for themselves and other talented young people.
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