I am stunned at the attack on religious liberty by Police Commissioner Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin at the 66th Police Federation Conference in Trelawny on May 28.

It is incomprehensible how such pronouncements could escape from the lips of someone who is vested with the power of the State to protect all the peoples of Jamaica; someone for whom I have enormous admiration and respect for his many years of distinguished service to this nation.

May I remind the commissioner that Seventh-day Adventists are Jamaicans who believe in the Jamaican dream? Seventh-day Adventists' vision of God inspires their love and loyalty to country. We believe in the security of our country. Besides, we are very concerned about the moral and social decline in the society like everyone else. One of the primary reasons our members join the security force is to assist in the rebuilding process. Professional policing is not just a job; it's their life-long career. Keeping Jamaica safe is not just their personal stewardship, but their number one priority.

Essential services

Moreover, Seventh-day Adventists believe in the essential services; that's why our doctors and nurses and other health professionals work on the Sabbath to assist in alleviating, the suffering of humanity. Contrary to the various myths about Adventism, we are not a people who are so focused on heaven that we are not mindful of our civic duties. However, we do not pursue our own ambitions on the Sabbath. Therefore, writing an exam on the Sabbath is not the same as saving a life, protecting the innocent or relieving the burden of the oppressed.

Seventh-day Adventists are known to be a patriotic and nationalistic people. In times of national disasters we are out there in the communities with-government agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working to help in the restoration and rebuilding of Jamaica. We believe the best way to keep the Sabbath is to work for the good of humanity which ultimately brings honour to the almighty.

Therefore, I feel the commissioner's comments are unfortunate and counterproductive. It may also undermine the progress made over these many years of mutual understanding and coexistence with the State religion and other religious organisations.

Risk their lives daily

I also want Andrew Harper from Canada to know that our brave police men and women continue to risk their lives daily and they work just as hard as anyone else to keep Jamaica safe. They do not ask for immunity, they simply ask for tolerance. If the truth were to be told we tolerate a lot of things in this country, and some of these things have caused many to raise their eyebrows, and cry shame on us.

In Jamaica there is a rich cultural and religious diversity. Our ethnic heritage is too wonderful to describe. Our motto: Out of Many One People speaks to our high level of tolerance. Seventh-day Adventists simply advocate for religious tolerance for all persons. Religious tolerance requires folk to respect and accept other persons' religion although they differ from their own.

My deepest hope is that good sense prevails in showing tolerance for everyone's religious beliefs and practices. This year marks 119 years of Adventism in Jamaica. We are committed to work with people of all faith-based organisations in promoting tolerance, peace and religious liberty for all persons.

I am, etc.,

MAURICE REID

mauricereidt@yahoo.com