Dear Editor,
I wish to commend Mr. Leon James Suseran for his letter in SN on 06/11/08 in which he raised the issue of Christian preachers on the ferries at Rosignol. This is a situation that has gone on for years. I remember as a boy taking the ferry from Rosignol to New Amsterdam and being thrilled with the appearance of the Berbice River from aboard the vessel, the high clear sky and the smell of the mangroves along the riverbank. But, even then, there were these screaming preachers spewing their hate, their intolerance, their ignorance, and backwardness regarding other faiths, and veering into racist comments and condemnation. As Mr Suseran pointed out, this is a very embarrassing situation because it reflects the low level of education and narrowness among some segments of our population, and gives visitors to Guyana, a very poor image of our country.
These preachers must know that they have freedom to believe and practice, but not to inconvenience other people. They are allowed to preach in their churches and at their crusades but must be mindful of other people who might not share their views or might be offended by their incendiary gospel. Guyana is a multi-religious, multi-ethnic country, and all religious leaders must bear that in mind when making their religious pronouncements. Non-Christians must not be subjected to the loud noise coming from clap-hand churches, or the shouting on ferries and streets corners. Freedom to practice one’s faith comes with a responsibility for tolerance, openness and the understanding that people have a right to believe and practice whatever they want so long as it does not offend or threaten others. Time to stop the screaming preachers.
Yours faithfully,
Mohan Singh
