Christmas and secularism in Guyana

Dec 25, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,

As Christmas nears Guyana would celebrate yet again their greatest triumph of the age and that is in defending and promoting the wonders of secularism. Yes, secularism, and this should not to be confused with any other ‘isms’ which were being forced down their throats in their recent history by politicians, governments and outside agencies.

Guyana stands out like a beacon despite all the odds in a divided world that is becoming increasingly threatened and hijacked by religious terrorism and intolerance.

Today it is impossible to travel freely as before and without having to undergo endless debilitating security checks and frustrating delays. It seems like everyone is a terror suspect.

Christmas is a one of the many occasions in Guyana, when the borders defining the various faiths have become so blurred that it stuns the outside world. It is a time when the different faiths seem to merge into one and yet able to maintain their separate identity within society and viva la cultur. These interfaith celebrations are repeated many times throughout the year with iconic festivals like Diwali, Eid as popular as ever across all ages.

But politicians historically have always tried to drive a wedge into popular secularism and they have always failed. They must be all turning in their graves at this time, except for the shameless few, who are still in politics. In the past these politicians have mounted vitriolic campaigns against red jhandi flags flying in defiance outside the homes of citizens. Some politicians went even as far as parading as deities incarnate with the purpose of defiling and insulting the religious functions of the people.

They went also digging at ancient Sanskrit words and had put on English meaning to them for racism, which would confound even the finest of scholars in Sanskrit. Despite these baseless attacks, the people have stood out resolute. Such political campaigns have failed to change them, but it was at the costs of many lives. In a neighbouring state such a flag is regarded as heresy.

Only a handful of politician can make the claims that they have stood out in isolation against the attack on secularism in the past. Indeed present and past governments have all adopted outside ideologies that conflict with secularism. The concept that the state is above everything else had meant that there was no room for religious freedoms.

In fact it was not tolerated under Marxism. In the former USSR, the churches were forced to go underground. The Orthodox Christian churches have resurfaced again and flourishing following the fall of communism.

There is little doubt about that the Guyanese people are capable of jealously defending the values, which are most dear to them. In the fight to defend their religious freedoms, it seems as if they have ended up with a bunker mentality and anything outside their bunkers is a threat that has to be avoided like a plague. This is the legacy that the politicians have saddled them with since the advent of Independence.

When the people were allowed to decide a government, they choose the least of two evils. The bunker mentality had ensured that a captured electorate will not budge from where they felt secure and safe from religious persecution. The government knew this and they were not obliged to adhere to any tenets of a decent democracy. But it is time the people finally awake from their deep slumber. The sooner is the better so that the country can move a step forward. Pressing for a workable FOI Act would be a good start.

The government would also benefit from this and they would have no need to fudge issues when it comes to meeting obligations for IDB loans and outside funding on carbon offsets. Such an Act will gain them enormous credibility in the eyes of the outside world.

Finally Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all, including Kaieteur News staff.

Mac Mahase