Have a look at this TVJ news clip below, broadcast on November 5, 2026. Listen to the Jamaica Baptist Union give its position on Jamaica's vote at the UN on the US embargo against Cuba.
Does the Baptist Union have any proof that the Jamaican government abstained from voting because it is appeasing a powerful nation? This argument could be seen as a misrepresentation of the position of the state by this church group. Misrepresentation is a serious matter in a court of law.
Listening to the TVJ newscast, including the statement of a Trinidadian, tells me the position of the newsroom. Apparently, the Baptist Union statement could not stand on its own.
Abstaining in the vote is a principled position. It's a principled position taken by the government based on its own principles and not that of the church or any other person or body.
This vote on the US embargo, which has been going on for about thirty years, has been a waste of time. If it is a waste of time, then the government, based on the Baptist Union principle, should continue to waste time?
I have noticed over the years that church leaders love to comment on politics too often. It is bad when they are not even informed about the subject matter.
First, we know that the Cuban people are going through hell at this time due to the problem with the US government. What has the Cuban government done to ameliorate the situation? What are the demands of the US, and are these demands unreasonable?
Why is US trade important to Cuba? Why are Russia and China not ready to assist? We must understand that no country should force another country to do business with any country.
Enough social issues are destroying our nation that the Baptist Union needs to pay attention to. Some churches are setting up churches just to make money with leaders who claim they have doctorates, and we have to address them as bishops. The Baptist Union needs to talk about some of the nastiness that goes on behind closed church doors. The Baptist Union needs to speak out about what is happening between Iran and the US, Ukraine and Russia, and Israel and Gaza. Look at what is happening with our brothers and sisters in some of our African countries.
Church leaders should go back to the days when they were more concerned about social issues, and they played an active role in dealing with these issues.
It seems easier to send out press releases and have your name mentioned in the news media.
I don't agree with some of the government policies, but I have to understand that the government recently got a mandate from the people. We need to allow them to govern. We can criticize, but we cannot become obstructionists and tear down artists. If the government does not represent the people well, then elections are just around the corner. We can kick them out then.
It would be interesting to find out if this vote at the UN by Jamaica was discussed with the members of the churches before the Baptist Union put out the press release.
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While I would be more inclined to vote against rather than abstaining in the present economic climate where Jamaica depends on USA for 90% of our F/E earnings plus the presence of an unpredictable President Trump in the Whitehouse.
ReplyDeleteWhat If he reacts to.our usual against votes by adding tarrifs to Jamaican exports,cutting seasonal.Farm/hotel work.program,halts visitor and other visas ,ban tourists coming ,among other things.
This could begin to destroy Jamaicas delicate socioeconomic fabric in weeks.
The Government was not willing to take an embargo gamble and everyone must realize that is no 9day wonder its just being diplomatically smart.
This is serious socioeconomic business that cannot be altered not even by Baptist Rev Phillipo the founder of several Free Villages around slavery abolition period.
Notably Sligoville in St Catherine and Bethel Town in Westmoreland.
Can't gamble with Trump.
Abstention was the wisest move can't play cashpot with this delicate economy.
So so talk is cheap abstaining to vote on Cuba was the wisest move and I know Cuba a 100% literate country understands.