There was a pool of contentious issues that kept our online readers busy this past week.
The hot button topics included the debate about the banning of pit bulls following an attack on a Christ Church family, Sir Roy Trotman’s position that he would not be apologizing now or in the future over his reference to an employer as an “Egyptian Jew”, as well as Prime Minister Freundel Stuart’s comment that he found no offence had been committed by Sir Roy.
These topics have already been explored and views of online readers shared in our publications.
However, the other issue that created quite a stir on our Facebook page and NATIONNEWS, was the call for countries like Barbados and others to repeal laws that discriminate against homosexuality as a matter of urgency.
It came from United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay and Secretary General Ban Ki-moon who insisted that decriminalizing consensual same-sex relationships was long overdue.
Although homosexuality itself is not illegal in Barbados, under Section 9 of the Sexual Offences Act 1992, any person who commits buggery is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for life.
Here is what some readers had to say:
Derek Gale: “Be interesting to see if Barbados will change the law pertaining to homosexuality on the island by decriminalizing it. The years I have lived in Barbados, most Barbadians have been so narrrow-minded – those who are far right Christians, and some Barbadian politicians; and who refuse to listen to or accept the views of other people.
“These Barbadian individuals still believe that homosexuality is a sin, it is wrong, it is a disorder in human beings; and they discriminate [against] gays with letters written to the Press [in their] persecution.”
Jimmy Alexander: “Again, homosexuality is not a crime; buggery is, as far as the law is concerned.”
Ras Rika Inniss: “I still believe it is a sin. Better read your Bible. Homosexuality is not the way to go and it’s ridiculous how all these countries want to legalize gay marriage. Legalize it for what, to make people believe it’s right?”
Vernetta Lawrence: “It would behove us to remember that there is no five cent or ten per cent in sin. Across the world people will quickly remind us how it’s in The Bible that homosexuality is a sin, but so sex is outside of marriage.”
Carlos Inniss: “I usually don’t comment, but I’ll say that buggery and homosexuality should be crimes in Barbados because they’re both crimes against God. It has nothing to do with being narrow-minded. If it is wrong in God’s sight then it is wrong period.
“People are always coming with these stupid excuses about being narrow-minded or homophobic because they want to justify the sin that people do, or we say nothing because we don’t want to offend, foolishness!
“It has never been nor will ever be right in God’s eyes so it will never be right in mine.”
Andre Julian Francis-Clarke: “They are crimes against God; that’s what matters. It doesn’t matter if they are not crimes against man. God is supreme.”
