Dear Editor,
It is interesting to see the “push back” against religious fundamentalists trying to impose their will on the entire Guyanese populace.
I have been warning for a while now about the dangers to progress posed by religious fundamentalists who easily slide into extremism when their somewhat limited views are not allowed to be imposed on everything and everyone. Pouting, as they are now doing because the gambling bill has passed, is just the first step in their disgruntled behaviour. Just observe how they will ratchet-up their discontent.
Prominent citizens have now taken to TV studios to remind pious zealots that Guyana is not a theocracy and while religious views should be considered in any national decision, the government is not confined, not bound, to the edicts of any religious faith.
Devout believers who oppose legal gambling can simply show their disapproval by not patronizing these establishments. I wonder if the churches and other religious establishments will campaign against raffles and bingo and many of the games they play at their annual fund raising fairs? I use the words ‘religious’ very loosely as even a cursory examination of some beliefs will reveal it as merely practicing superstition and not religion.
And bowing to irrational superstitions, simply because it is written in a book, will send this country reeling back into the dark ages.
Yours faithfully,
Justin de Freitas
