Miller chides Warmington’s church-repair stance

Popular clergyman Reverend Dr Al Miller has hit back at politician Everald Warmington's opposition to the $75 million allocation for the repair and restoration of churches following Hurricane Melissa.

"These are some ridiculous arguments because if we were to take that same approach to so many other things in life, you don't get anything done or achieve anything," Miller said. "That is a fool-fool argument because everybody don't believe in the same thing, but as a nation, if we use that application to restrict access based on belief, how would we thrive?"

He emphasised that taxpayers' money is for the collective good not individual preference. When asked about suggestions that churches of the same denomination in a single area could merge, Miller acknowledged that it could be practical under certain circumstances.

"They can be practically ... but all that is depending on the size of the church and the community. It's something for the churches to make a decision. It is not something for Government at all," he said.

Miller said he saw the overnment's gesture as well-intentioned but lamented that Warmington had missed the bigger picture, "the fact that they recognise the need of the Church". Miller opined that the Church forms the moral and value-based foundation of Jamaican society, and supporting it is in the nation's best interest. He said Warmington's comments show a lack of understanding of Jamaica's religious foundation.

"This nation is a Christian nation. So we are unabashed to be called Christian. It's been the foundation on which our nation was established by our founding fathers. It's really just speaking to a narrow-minded, ignorance and ill thought," Miller said.

The cleric also urged church leaders to rise to the occasion in a changing society, noting that churches have historically been at the forefront of relief work during disasters.

"We as church will get comments like this, but do not be daunted by [those]. We must stand our ground, knowing what we believe, why we believe, and in who we believe, and more effectively declare truth and counsel of wisdom to this generation absolutely vital."

- T.P.