Category Archives: Religion

General T&T, PNM, Politics, Religion, UNC

Ruminations on religion

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By Raffique Shah
September 28, 2015

Raffique ShahNot being a religious person, I must confess that religion (used here collectively) confuses me, and quite often frightens me.

Mark you, I am not disrespectful towards religion or religious persons. If I were, I’d be alienated from most of my family, relatives, friends and fellow-citizens, almost all of whom are praying people who belong to one faith or other among the scores that form the tapestry of this cosmopolitan country.
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General T&T, Media, Politics, Religion, Sex

Why Not Vote for Jowelle?

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Don’t Vote for Jowelle

Mrs. Jowelle De Souza, recipient of the Humming Bird Medal, Bronze
Mrs. Jowelle De Souza, recipient of the Humming Bird Medal, Bronze

By Akilah Holder
April 30, 2015 – newsday.co.tt

Religious leaders are objecting to transsexual Jowelle de Souza’s bid to be elected to public office, saying her policies would seek to advocate the lifestyles of non-heterosexuals, which they see as immoral.
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General T&T, Religion

Age of innocence

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By Raffique Shah
April 05, 2015

Raffique ShahThe Easter weekend has always been a period of intense religious activities for Christians in the country, and one for recreation and relaxation for others in the society. As a child growing up in a Muslim home in the 1950s, I was very aware of its significance to Catholics and Anglicans in particular, since both had (and still have) churches in the Freeport/Boccarro districts where we lived.
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General T&T, Media, Religion

Demolition of Greyfriars Church Halted Amidst Protests

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WICKEDNESS

By Ryan Hamilton-Davis
December 01, 2014 – newsday.co.tt

WICKEDNESSWickedness!

This is how Minister of National Diversity and Social Integration, Rodger Samuel, saw the demolition of the historic Greyfriars Church of Scotland on Frederick Street, Port-of-Spain, on of all days, Sunday, the Sabbath for most Christian faiths.

Samuel, a pastor, lamented the near complete destruction of the church even as his ministry has been in talks with its 84-year-old owner businessman, Alfred Galy, on preserving it as a heritage site. Even more outraged than Samuel was his adviser, Dr Nurah Rosalie Cordner who risked her life, climbing onto an excavator to stop the demolition crew of contractor, Don Ramdeen & Co, from tearing down the centuries’ old church.
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International, Religion, Security, USA

How the US Helped Create Al Qaeda and ISIS

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By Garikai Chengu
September 20, 2014 – counterpunch.org

ISILMuch like Al-Qaeda, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is Made in the USA, an instrument of terror designed to divide and conquer the oil-rich Middle East and to counter Iran’s growing influence in the region. The fact that the United States has a long and torrid history of backing terrorist groups will surprise only those who watch the news and ignore history.
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COP, Elections, General T&T, ILP, MSJ, NJAC, PNM, Politics, Religion, UNC

Politics and ethics only rhyme

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By Raffique Shah
September 07, 2014

Raffique ShahArchbishop Joseph Harris strikes me as being a “rootsy Trini”—a prelate who commands respect beyond his flock even as he exudes a tremendous sense of humour.

What I could not discern from a distance (I’ve never met the good Father) is that he is also a humorist who can put veterans such as Paul Keens-Douglas and “Sprangalang” to pale on any stage at any time.
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Culture, Education, General T&T, Religion

The Politics Behind “One” God

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Western Definition of Monotheism masks Imperialism

By Corey Gilkes
May 01, 2014 – trinicenter.com/Gilkes

BibleSo, following on from the last two articles, I want to look now at monotheism, the belief in a one and only god. To be more precise, the Eurocentric definition of it. What REALLY makes that concept so morally superior? What makes it more legitimate and righteous than the (so-called) polytheistic belief systems that came before? I’ll tell you, nothing.
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Gender, General T&T, Religion

Interrogating the Sex of God

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By Corey Gilkes
April 09, 2014

BibleContinuing from my last long ramble, I want to offer my opinions on the issue of using sex-specific terms in Western religious tradition – in other words, the “sex” of “god.” To the deeply pious – and perhaps even the moderately pious – that kinda talk is flat out preposterous, nothing short of sacrilegious and a mockery of religious beliefs. I agree, it is…..actually no, I don’t agree, it’s not. In really progressive societies, including the colonising one that put the rubbish in we head in de firs place, these are the kinds of conversations that take place. In any event, essentially every one of the major religions, particularly the Abrahamic faiths, started out acknowledging the Divine Feminine principles and then they all in one form or another concealed and wrote them out of their narratives. The only thing that is preposterous is *why*. Hey, doh vex with me, study the history very carefully and then take it up with your minister who withheld this information all these years. They went to a seminary or theological college so they damn well supposed to know about all this.
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