But why 25th December?
Defined simply, basically, morality has to do with the sense of what is right, beneficial for an individual or a society as a whole.
It preaches righteous, virtuous thinking and life-style behaviours. Human and societal decency is also a desirable attribute.
Why all of the foregoing? Well two upfront points: personally I myself wouldn’t be deemed too moralistic despite my sustained pursuit – most times practice – of honesty. Secondly, despite our hundreds of various places-of-worship; our religious persuasions, frankly speaking, our Guyana cannot now be considered a nation of jealously-guarded, consistently–manifested, moral standards. (Which nation/society is these days, many might wonder…)
To me, the Church, the Mandir, the Mosque have all failed. Even as “parents” assume a now modernised character of merely part-time “guides”.
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One editorial, numerous reluctant, inconvenient truths
I don’t know why I persuade myself that I recognise the journalistic writing style of the Stabroek News editorial writer for Tuesdays. But, believe it or not, I do still appreciate the anonymity of all contributing editorial writers. (And by the way, do editorials still reflect the views and studied positions of newspapers and their publishers??) But I digress.
On Tuesday December ‘06 the SN editorial titled “Remuneration and corruption: The Guyana Police Force”, reflected and represented, perhaps more eloquently, forcefully than I could, my own thinking on our long-lost morality. Though the editorial’s focus was on the what and why with regard to recent Force salary increases and how salaries are consistently “subsidised” therein as “moral probity” is diminished. Or is not a current characteristic at all these days!
But it is not our “poor” Police Force alone.
Both young adults and our seniors are quite aware of the active sub-culture of passing a raise, a bribe, an “incentive”, a “sweetener” to get things done in a timely, non-painful manner. From what should be a normal routine issuance of some permit, licence or approval to being able to purchase a necessary hard-to-get item or hire a venue, some “favour” has to be passed first; (you have to KSI – “Know Somebody Inside”).
Perhaps even globally it’s a generational reality. “Greasing hands” to get things done is now a modernistic norm. Do “politics” contribute to morality’s decline? Or progress? Or poor parenting? Qualifications over integrity? Poor us…
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Matured “Young Turks” and (valid) criticism
They are already past forty or fifty years. But my opposition reps and surrogate advisers are relentless with their scrutiny and criticism of nearly every governmental initiative and behaviour. Especially in friendly newspapers.
Necessary? Needed? Valid? It might depend on your political perspective. Or nationalistic profile or preference. An informed political opposition – in and out of parliamentary chambers – is indeed necessary and wholesome for our democratic nature and credentials. Not just for purely political or mischievous informational reasons!
So from my now neutral, objective perspectives and ancient “PNC” past I find occasion to appreciate the weekly opposition expressions published by Annette Ferguson – (pity her ugly activist tirades in the House months ago) – Sherwood Lowe – obviously a loyal academic PNC “consultant” – with occasional assistance from comrades Patterson and Walton-Desir.
I’ve recently detected and appreciated their more responsible – seemingly valid – criticisms and abhorrence regarding certain PPP government and party behaviours and incompetence.
Comrade Ferguson was pointed with her letters concerning GuySuCo, alleged oil and gas mismanagement; the Parliament Speaker’s alleged bias and award of massive contracts et al. (By the way Cde Annette, Cheddi Jagan preceded LFSB in creating “housing schemes”!)
And PNC/UG’s Lowe was actually bi-partisan and professionally persuasive in “advising” the government about future oil development approvals and permits, if not needed re-negotiations. Even though Cde Lowe doesn’t think this PPP government capable, his oil-development advice and analyses seem quite constructive. Professional opposition! Former coalition minister Patterson has also been more professional with his weekly anti-government criticisms; with Mrs. Walton-Desir being actively visible. Hope for our opposition?
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What 25th December birthday?
Why is not the annual Christmas birth anniversary celebrated in August, October or 14th December? Just why 25th December? When most Christian scholars agree that it could not be on that day? And their Holy Bible is silent on any date?
Research – just basic – would reveal a few speculative “reasons”: early church leaders wanted to win over people who celebrated pagan festivals when it was the December winter solstice – the position of the sun; it was a Catholic Pope Julius who decided on December 25; the December 25 date later spread to Egypt, England and elsewhere as the Feast of the Nativity; some skeptics even count April to December for Mary’s birth! And nowhere in the Bible is there any advice to observe or celebrate the birth. Ho-ho-ho. But be happy!!
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Ponder, reflect…
Dr Marcel Hutson wrote: “they tried to bury me but did not know I was a seed”. Lovely. (If even not original.)
Coming next Friday: “Green Crepe Paper and Cotton Wool”.
`Til next week
