YOUNG?PEOPLE?have been asked to step up to the plate and project themselves as the moral thermostat regulating the moral climate, rather than a moral thermometer registering the moral climate.
Reverend Dr Nigel Taylor made this call in the sermon at the National Independence Service at Independence Square yesterday evening.
Before an audience that included Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart, Governor General Sir Clifford Husbands, Defence Force Chief of Staff Alvin Quintyne, and members of the Cabinet, Dr Taylor, reminded the youth they should live worthy lives.
“We are in one of those places in our history where there is no back door or rather any road back. The call for us this evening is for the young people to run the race with a vision.
Hallmark
“Let your vision be your hallmark, your catalyst. Forget the depraved tastes as reflected in the literature, drama and the many scenarios,” he said.
Taylor, who is president of the Barbados Evangelical Association (BEA), called on young people to hold their heads high and rise above the social decay. He said he had a problem with youths who wore their pants below their buttocks and added that it was unfortunate that the small percentage of deviant youth, seemed to be overshadowing the majority who meant well.
“As young people of Barbados, you must not allow yourselves to be morally and spiritually bankrupt, for we are living in a day which calls for nothing less than the spiritual militancy of a Christian response which shows that God’s laws have not changed.
“Nothing can make hypocrisy, greed and obscenity right. The standards have not collapsed . . . not even in the scientific realm where accuracy and veracity are everlasting right, nor in ordinary life either where decency, loyalty, compassion and courage are standards forever,” he said.
Taylor wants the youth of Barbados to picture themselves positively.
Holy nation
“You can go just as far and just as high as you can picture yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us rise and build a holy nation under God. Side step those persons who through enticement allure you from the truth and then mock you when failure presents itself,” he added.
On an overcast afternoon, blessed with intermittent showers, Canon Noel Burke did the welcome, Dean Frank Marshall the opening prayer, and Monsignor Vincent Blackett the benediction and blessing.
The Foundation School Choir had the honour of providing the musical selections.
