The Editor, Sir:

A wise man once said that "a person without a conscience is a psychopath".Well, the only thing worse than a person without a conscience is a nation without a conscience.

As I read the Jamaican newspaper about some of the 'esteemed' pastors now pushing for widespread gun ownership, I cannot help but wonder if the people of Jamaica have become collectively apathetic. How did we get to this point?

No longer trusting God

It is apparent that the Jamaican people have become resigned (apathy) to the failure of all of the island's institutions - the Government, the church and the schools.

Now, the 'men of God' are no longer trusting in divine faith or intervention. They are no longer believing in the very words they are preaching. Instead, they are trusting in guns, and encouraging their flock to the same. What is the Church for, then?

There was a time when the church, as an institution, was the bedrock and cornerstone of the society, when people could attend church and feel good about themselves. What happened to those good old days?

The Church should, and must, resolve to reclaim its rightful place in Jamaican society, and this is what Herro Blair and others should be espousing. Not more guns.

Blair and others in the church should be reaching out to the youth with voices of hope and opportunities, not doom and gloom, distrust and dissension. Where do we go from here?

Biggest failure

Apathy is a destructive sentiment, and an apathetic culture is one on a fast track to anarchy and failure. When the populace of a nation, such as Jamaica, has had enough, and is tired of being tired, it will look back at Herro Blair and the Church as being among its biggest failures.

I am, etc.,

EVERTON EASTWOOD

everton.eastwood@bge.com

Laurel, Maryland

United States