Cedric Moss
09-18-03, - 12:57 AM
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Come, Let Us Return
By Apostle Cedric Moss
This year of our nation’s 30th anniversary is a wonderful occasion for national reflection. Today I offer some of my own reflective thoughts about our nation, and extend a concluding plea for us to return to the foundational values in our nation’s Constitution.
Bahamian History
On July 7th, I attended the official opening of R. E. Cooper Estates, a project of Arawak Homes. Sir Orville Turnquest gave an excellent tribute to the late Dr. R.E. Cooper and, as he usually does, took the time to share a bit of rare Bahamian history. He mentioned that it was Dr. R.E. Cooper who penned and contributed these words for the Preamble to our nation’s Constitution: “an abiding respect for Christian values.” Upon learning this bit of background about how those words came to be in our Constitution, my appreciation for them increased.
Just A Coincidence?
Was it just a coincidence that Sir Orville highlighted this significant contribution to our Constitution by Dr. Cooper a mere 3 days away from our nation’s 30th Anniversary? I think not. As I listened that afternoon, I felt we were being reminded of the faith of our fathers. I believe the Lord through Sir Orville, one of our founding fathers, was reminding us of our nation’s key foundational value and confronting us with a sober reality: “You have strayed.” Yes, I believe we have strayed; so come, let us return.
The Preamble
Each time I read the preamble to our Constitution, I feel a sense of divine providence concerning the national destiny of the Bahamas. Here is what it says:
“ Whereas four hundred and eighty-one years ago the rediscovery of this family of islands, rocks and cays heralded the rebirth of the New World;
And whereas the people of this family of islands recognizing that the preservation of their freedom will be guaranteed by a national commitment to self-discipline, industry, loyalty, unity and an abiding respect for Christian values and the rule of law;
Now know ye therefore: We the inheritors of and successors to this family of islands, recognizing the supremacy of God and believing in the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, do hereby proclaim in solemn praise the establishment of a free and democratic sovereign nation founded on spiritual values and in which no man, woman or child shall ever be slave or bondsman to anyone or their labour exploited or their lives frustrated by deprivation, and do hereby provide by these articles for the indivisible unity and creation under God of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.”
Option for Change
Among others, the words “Christian values” have been put forward by The Bahamas Constitutional Commission as an option for change. Initially, I was concerned that other words were being offered as substitutes to dilute or remove these words all together. However, as I considered it more closely, I sense it is all a part of God’s providential plan in calling us to return to this ancient landmark established by our forefathers.
It would be far better for us to have national dialogue about what these words mean to us rather than exempting them from discussion and then continuing to live contrary to them as a nation. So let’s have the dialogue and do some national soul searching.
A Case In Point
The most fundamental role of any elected Government is the upholding and adhering to the nation’s constitution. In our case in The Bahamas, the government of the day should take seriously their responsibility to be guided by the Constitution, all of it. In the case of the recent One Love Festival concert, the Government failed to be guided by our Constitution. They made incredible efforts to accommodate on government property, and facilitate with government permits, non-Bahamians artists whose lyrics and what they promote are unquestionably contrary to Christian values.
Some might argue that the preamble offers moral and not legal guidance. Even if this is the case, it offers guidance nonetheless, and it should be followed. And, I believe the government’s accommodation and facilitation of that event adds to other bits of evidence that we have strayed and need to return to our foundational national core values.
National Core Values
Core values simplify decision making for individuals, businesses and nations. And beyond the core value of an abiding respect for Christian values, our founding fathers gave us the following five others: self-discipline, industry, loyalty, unity and an abiding respect for the rule of law.
Just imagine: What would our nation be if as part of our civic duty we learnt and lived by these six national core values? Could it be that in these national core values we have a six-prong anchor for our national soul to keep us from running aground as we progress on the sea of time? Could it be that in a recommitment to return, learn and live by these national core values lies the solution to some of the grave problems facing our nation on virtually all fronts?
National Crossroads
Those who have eyes to see and ears to hear would recognize that after 30 years we are at a national crossroad. The consideration of constitutional reform evidences this. We will choose to move nationally in certain directions and refuse other ones. In our constitutional reform process, I commend to us the words of Prophet Jeremiah who counseled Israel to stand at their points of decision making and ask for the ancient pathways and the ways that are good and then walk in them (see Jeremiah 6:16). It was an invitation to return.
It is my prayer that in of this season of determining our national direction, there will be a strong chorus emanating from all sectors of our society saying, “Come; let us return.” I further pray that we do return, not just in word but in deed as well.
Apostle Cedric Moss serves as Senior Pastor at Kingdom Life World Outreach Centre. Comments and feedback may be directed to: apostle@kingdom-life.org.
Come, Let Us Return
By Apostle Cedric Moss
This year of our nation’s 30th anniversary is a wonderful occasion for national reflection. Today I offer some of my own reflective thoughts about our nation, and extend a concluding plea for us to return to the foundational values in our nation’s Constitution.
Bahamian History
On July 7th, I attended the official opening of R. E. Cooper Estates, a project of Arawak Homes. Sir Orville Turnquest gave an excellent tribute to the late Dr. R.E. Cooper and, as he usually does, took the time to share a bit of rare Bahamian history. He mentioned that it was Dr. R.E. Cooper who penned and contributed these words for the Preamble to our nation’s Constitution: “an abiding respect for Christian values.” Upon learning this bit of background about how those words came to be in our Constitution, my appreciation for them increased.
Just A Coincidence?
Was it just a coincidence that Sir Orville highlighted this significant contribution to our Constitution by Dr. Cooper a mere 3 days away from our nation’s 30th Anniversary? I think not. As I listened that afternoon, I felt we were being reminded of the faith of our fathers. I believe the Lord through Sir Orville, one of our founding fathers, was reminding us of our nation’s key foundational value and confronting us with a sober reality: “You have strayed.” Yes, I believe we have strayed; so come, let us return.
The Preamble
Each time I read the preamble to our Constitution, I feel a sense of divine providence concerning the national destiny of the Bahamas. Here is what it says:
“ Whereas four hundred and eighty-one years ago the rediscovery of this family of islands, rocks and cays heralded the rebirth of the New World;
And whereas the people of this family of islands recognizing that the preservation of their freedom will be guaranteed by a national commitment to self-discipline, industry, loyalty, unity and an abiding respect for Christian values and the rule of law;
Now know ye therefore: We the inheritors of and successors to this family of islands, recognizing the supremacy of God and believing in the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, do hereby proclaim in solemn praise the establishment of a free and democratic sovereign nation founded on spiritual values and in which no man, woman or child shall ever be slave or bondsman to anyone or their labour exploited or their lives frustrated by deprivation, and do hereby provide by these articles for the indivisible unity and creation under God of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.”
Option for Change
Among others, the words “Christian values” have been put forward by The Bahamas Constitutional Commission as an option for change. Initially, I was concerned that other words were being offered as substitutes to dilute or remove these words all together. However, as I considered it more closely, I sense it is all a part of God’s providential plan in calling us to return to this ancient landmark established by our forefathers.
It would be far better for us to have national dialogue about what these words mean to us rather than exempting them from discussion and then continuing to live contrary to them as a nation. So let’s have the dialogue and do some national soul searching.
A Case In Point
The most fundamental role of any elected Government is the upholding and adhering to the nation’s constitution. In our case in The Bahamas, the government of the day should take seriously their responsibility to be guided by the Constitution, all of it. In the case of the recent One Love Festival concert, the Government failed to be guided by our Constitution. They made incredible efforts to accommodate on government property, and facilitate with government permits, non-Bahamians artists whose lyrics and what they promote are unquestionably contrary to Christian values.
Some might argue that the preamble offers moral and not legal guidance. Even if this is the case, it offers guidance nonetheless, and it should be followed. And, I believe the government’s accommodation and facilitation of that event adds to other bits of evidence that we have strayed and need to return to our foundational national core values.
National Core Values
Core values simplify decision making for individuals, businesses and nations. And beyond the core value of an abiding respect for Christian values, our founding fathers gave us the following five others: self-discipline, industry, loyalty, unity and an abiding respect for the rule of law.
Just imagine: What would our nation be if as part of our civic duty we learnt and lived by these six national core values? Could it be that in these national core values we have a six-prong anchor for our national soul to keep us from running aground as we progress on the sea of time? Could it be that in a recommitment to return, learn and live by these national core values lies the solution to some of the grave problems facing our nation on virtually all fronts?
National Crossroads
Those who have eyes to see and ears to hear would recognize that after 30 years we are at a national crossroad. The consideration of constitutional reform evidences this. We will choose to move nationally in certain directions and refuse other ones. In our constitutional reform process, I commend to us the words of Prophet Jeremiah who counseled Israel to stand at their points of decision making and ask for the ancient pathways and the ways that are good and then walk in them (see Jeremiah 6:16). It was an invitation to return.
It is my prayer that in of this season of determining our national direction, there will be a strong chorus emanating from all sectors of our society saying, “Come; let us return.” I further pray that we do return, not just in word but in deed as well.
Apostle Cedric Moss serves as Senior Pastor at Kingdom Life World Outreach Centre. Comments and feedback may be directed to: apostle@kingdom-life.org.