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OH, NO!
Reverend Devere Murrell
Published on: 4/13/2009.
by Tracy Moore
CHURCH LEADERS
have come out against the staging of entertainment shows during the Lenten season in Barbados.
At least two of them have condemned the staging of a reggae show at Kensington Oval yesterday Easter Sunday, considered the most significant day on the Christian calendar.
Anglican priest Canon DeVere Murrell questioned why faith-based organisations had not spoken out on the issue while Baptist pastor Vincent Wood had blasted the event as "desecrating the day of the Lord".
They got support from historian Trevor Marshall who, participating in Starcom's Radio 92.9 FM Brass Tacks Sunday programme said the churches should unite to tackle this issue because they were all adversely affected by this "venial entertainment activity".
Marshall added that the lobbying of Government on the issue should be the number one issue for the Barbados Christian Council.
The show at the Oval was entitled The Big Easter Reggae Explosion boasting a line-up of international and local artistes. Last month, the show's promoter Jernel Auboine aka Fadda Gerry, chief executive officer of Big Links Promotions coined it "a positive conscious show" catering to the entire family with no worries of indecent language, expletives, hardcore lyrics or performances.
But Canon Murrell of the St Matthias Church told the DAILY NATION yesterday: "I am a little disappointed that the leaders of the faith-based organisations had not found it important to make a comment on the issue.
"I must admit that the people who are putting on the event are in the entertainment business and are there to make money.
"Having said that, I do believe that they are being somewhat insensitive. Easter is a major festival on the Christian calendar and we are still living in a society that is predominately Christian.
"My greater concern is that we are having a lot of the shows during the season of Lent, which for a Christian is even more solemn," he added.
Pastor Wood, head of the Emmanuel Baptist Church, President Kennedy Drive, St Michael, in his sermon, gave a defiant no to the Easter reggae show.
He said having it on Easter Sunday was "desecrating the day of the Lord".
Wood told his congregation: "Today is not a day for a reggae show. Today is a day to acknowledge what God has done. We must stand up for God. God must be respected."
"My other colleagues, because of recognition, declared that Barbados is a Christian society. Oh no! We are a religious society. People do not acknowledge the Lord as they once did," he charged.
tracymoore@nationnews.com
26 comment found!
no shame : 4/14/2009
the churches have no shame... what are they, if not institutions that want to make money? Just the same as a music festival... And they don't respect other manifestations, believing that they are the only ones that are right... That is discrimination, they want to interfere in everybody's life. They are not the state, just a club based on beliefs that might be right or wrong...
Easter : 4/14/2009
Professional games such as: Basketball, Golf, Baseball are all played on Easter. Christians can go to church on Easter and be free to do whatever they want to do after. We cannot become religious fanatics.
No respect : 4/14/2009
Barbados should be a trendsetter not a follower. The promoters do not have no respect for Christ who died on the cross for us. Even America that is so pagan closed their stores on Easter and the only time the churches are full. In America on the paper money is "In God we trust" (not the almighty) the mascot, the golden calf of Wall Street that brought the country in a financial crisis.
OH NO : 4/13/2009
Everybody want to find fault with the church leaders. The only fault I have with them is that they do not keep enough noise, I want to challenge them from now ,to keep enough noise so that we will not have ANY of these shows next year.Its not too late. Just remember; ''All it takes for evil to succeed, is for good men to do nothing".
Easter Show : 4/13/2009
I am Barbadian living in New York, and on each and every time I make a visit home, I have sometimes to stop and look around me,, and wonder if I am still in the United States of America.Not only should there not be that kind of entertainment on Easter Sunday, but any Sunday.Barbadians are to eager to adopt the trends of North America, at large.To the person who says that the church has no business in the things which happens in the country, I say to you, you only know to call on name of the Lord when there is a crisis in the country or they personal lives. I am tired of coming home, and hearing blaring music in the neighbourhood on a Sunday.Like America, bajans has become the me society instead of us. We should want our country to stand out in a positive way. I can fathom that supermarket in Barbados is open on Sundays,yes I live in a country where everything is open on Sunday, that does not mean that I agree with it, I do not have to use the services
Easter Revelry : 4/13/2009
We should not have waited for Easter Sunday to question the holding of the show. Sundays should have continued to be a family day with some serenity. Once the practice started it is going to be hard to curtail it. Christians or church goers should not attend and should encourage their friends not to attend. Cawmere Boy
shows : 4/13/2009
bajans need to wake up Christianity is a religion just like any other religion, everyone has the right to partake in any activities they want at any point in time, who gives Christians the right to say when someone can or can not hold a show, its a day just like any other day, what would happen if all the religion complained about people holding events on days that were meaningful to them then what would happen,not everyone believes in god or a god or a religion or a faith but christains seem to think they have the right to dictate what goes on in and entire country,like if their the only ones who have a say in what goes on, if they want to do something should look into the homosexual priest that molest the young altar boys.
Easter Reggae Expolsion : 4/13/2009
What would be the feelings of those in favour of this event if it was held on Xmas day?
OH,NO : 4/13/2009
THE CHURCH SHOULD SPEAK OUT ABOUT A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE WRONG IN B'DOS, NOT ONLY ABOUT MUSIC SHOWS DURING LENT
CHURCH LEADERS : 4/13/2009
I AM TRULY AND HONESTLY SADEND BY THE ACTIONS OF "UNGODLY PROMOTERS" OF MUSIC FESTIVALS; THESE FOLKS DONT CARE FOR ANYTHING BUT THE MONEY THEY HOPE TO MAKE BY THESE EVENS, NOT SO BAD; BUT THEY DONT CARE THAT THEIR ACTIONS CAN BRING ABOUT A CURSE ON THE COUNTRY, AND MORE SO BRING ABOUT A CURSE ON THE PLACE WHERE THEY HAD THIS CONCERT ON "EASTER-DAY" THEY ARE INVOKEING CURSES , BUT THEY DONT CARE; IT IS JUST ABOUT THE MONEY FOR THEM.
Re-Oh No : 4/13/2009
I dont think that the church should have any say in the runing of the state. Deal with some of the greed and wrong doing's that is taking place in the church.Yesterday i read the sunday sun where rev. messiah said he raise pig.Did the bible mention that pig ) swine) is unclean?or am i living in the old testment? just wondering.
easter reggae explosion : 4/13/2009
some people celebrate different and we should not judge in toronto places are still open for business like the chin as long as it is not vulgar or rude nothing wrong after easter or lent what is your lives like are you for god or man jesus died for us when will we died for him going to a show does not mean anything weather easter or christmas ect.we need to give god the golry 24 7 and respect each others way. i fine in barbados the church does not go out in into the community and preach loud like before because half the church does not talk to each other and the other half are critical of each other and when the young people of today see this it becomes a big turn off from the church it is time to stand up for jesus and be strong in him the end is drawing near and if the young people do not want to understand this then we have a lot of work to do jesus said i come not for the righteous but for the sinners which we all are
OH, NO! : 4/13/2009
OH, NO!Barbados a christian society?does this give you the christians the right to impose your dogma on a free society?they are young men and women of all faiths and nationalities dying daily in afghanistan they are dying fighting people with this same kind of dogma.next you will have the religious police to keep us all in line.In some countries to this day christians are still persecuted. MR MARSHALL ,Reverend Devere Murrell take your blinders off view the whole picture.your dogma have as much right as those that persecute christians or any other denominations.
OH, YES! : 4/13/2009
It seems to me that the real issue here is one of attracting patronage. One of the most common complaints voiced by church leaders is to the effect that keen competition or rivalry is responsible for the troubles or poor progress in the organizations own or operated by them. Instead of complaining and attempting to discover all the wrong things you could find about entertainment shows this time of year, you should analyze your own situation and try and find what was wrong with you or your church. Man is unquestionable religiously inclined, and the average man and woman would be the last one to think of having the church left out of community life. But the average man and woman want a religion that is joyous and inspiring and filled with hope and salvation that is a saving grace from all the trials, troubles, sorrows, and tribulations of this life. Most of these churches today look more like institutions of sadness and despondency, catering more to the elderly than to persons of youthful age whom they seem so eager to attract. Bottom line, stop complaining and focus your attention on attracting people to your organizations. As Above,So below. So mote it be.
Easter Reggae Explosion : 4/13/2009
I think these artists are definitely crossing the line. I know most of these people were raised in the Christina faith and should know better. Because your neighbor does wrong does not make an excuse for Barbadians to accept the notion and do wrong also. This is the ultimate disrespect for God. Having these entertaining shows during the lenten season and on Sundays if totally irreverent and disrespectful. Then we want to know what is wrong with society. If we continue to support these shows and other lewd forms of entertainment we are just as bad as the artists. Where has our love for God gone to. How as agod faring society, are we going to be good examples for our young people and children. It is time for us to get back to the Bible and teach of young citizens all about God. Young mothers and fathers get your children in the house of God. Get them back to Sunday School and teach them the Lord's prayer once again. Be not ashamed of Gods Word because it has sustained us over time. The government and clergy should be coming down hard on these ungodly people. Barbados is becoming too much of a haven for these actvities and it should be stopped before its too late. Respect God and yourselves and get back to the good old bajan ways of serving God.
ReggaeFestival. : 4/13/2009
Oh my Gosh, chiken lickin, the sky is fallin. The Religous Taliban is now upon us. These self-righteous folk, now want to turn Barbados, into BARBADOSTAN. For soon, you will have to confront The Royal Religous Police of Barbadostan, if ever you should want to go to the shop. I thought, that the said Jesus, that these zealots are said to be celebrating, was a man of tolerance. This is what he had sacifice for, allegeledly. Freedom to choose, that being anything and anytime. These bread and fish religous zealots, are the same ones that take you to JOnes Town, Waco, just to name a few. So to France wid them, and let the music play, and make a joyful reggae to celbrate the same man, they complaining about. Isam.
Church Leaders : 4/13/2009
Why must the churches in Barbados, become the Taliban. What about the other religions, andnon-believers rights? I am tired of the religous right getting into our personal lives, let them deal with their own matters. If i choose to go to any event, whyshould i have to consult with the Religous Taliban? Enought of this crap, leave us alone, and let us live our live, a concert is the least of Barbados's problems, it is the church.
Easter Reggae Explosion : 4/13/2009
Sounds like a case of the Shephard not having control of the flock. I will await the pastor's reaction to the Festival lyrics in the summer. Better to be pro-active and head off these situations, than reactive and complaining with little effect. Let us be honest with ourselves. What does an Anglican priest do Monday through Sat? I know they have lots to say on Sunday. But what about Mon through Saturday? Reader in the US
Shows during Lent. : 4/13/2009
I am glad that some leaders are condemming these shows. We (Barbados) have become the dumping ground of entertainment during Lent.Hopefully we can make enough noise that come next year all we will during Lent are church bells ringing.
Why? Why? Why? : 4/13/2009
Why do we keep going down this road year after year? Society consists of persons of many beliefs. Not all are Christians. Not all believe in the same things as Christians. If Christians don't wish to take part in these shows, they don't have to and no one is forcing them. You all celebrate in your way, respect others to celebrate in theirs. When have you ever seen an individual who does not believe in the same things as Christians speak out against Christians having events at this time of year?
Oh no : 4/13/2009
The young people have no love for God the one give the strength to get wealth they just think that are doing all by themselves one person just have to be the leader an all the other follower because their want to be a follower instead and they will let you lead into their death or any trap with knowing where it will lwad
The Big Easter Reggae Explosion : 4/13/2009
Its amazing that church leaders spoke out a day before the concert. It would have made more sense to address the issue as soon as the concert was made public. Sounds like it was too little too late. But I do agree with the Church. They have a vital role to play and the masses can suffer because of the ignorance of a few. Peter Massiah Hartford CT USA
SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN : 4/13/2009
It was sad that permission was given for the Sunday.Did the police give permission for te show to be held, was a liqour License granted? The church in Barbados have failed the people of Barbados from the begining of time, especially the Anglican and Catholic Church. They involvement in SLAVERY was a BIGGER SIN, than a show beig held on EASTER SUNDAY. I was 100 % against the show being held on that day. There are two many issues in Barbados where the CHURCH remain SILENT, their only seem to speak out when things are affecting them directly.To me the church need to become involved in the daily lives of people, especially when ordinary people without a voice is being wronged. More and more ORDINARY people are being unfaired in this COUNTRY SEPECIALLY by GOVERNMENTs ENTITIES and there is no one to turn to for help. The POLITICIANS are all hot AIR, you can not even get your representative to return a call to you. The church In Barbados need to be a more active voice in society and reach out more to people, not only on Sundays. I hope we will not see another show of this kind stage in Barbados on an EASTER SUNDAY. Should never happen again
oh no : 4/13/2009
wyh does christians in barbados think because they are the majority they are entitle to special treatment ? religion is a choice not a law
Sunday entertainment : 4/13/2009
The pastors and priests need to keep their flock from attending these shows on Sunday. They cannot tell an entertainment promoter when to stage a show, but if they succeed in getting patrons to stay away from Sunday shows the promoters will get the message.
OH NO : 4/13/2009
if you are not a christan what does it matter what you do on any particular day?did the Lord Jesus Christ ask any one to celebrate a specal day in the calendar? no, I am a christan and how i live my life every day of the week is what matter because none christans are watching me and if i am to be an example i must live according to the bible teachings and not man's calendar to all thoes pishops, pasters, ministers,who live for the day shame on you how can you tell none belivers how to live,look at your self first
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