Tourism Week: Christian Perspective

My Dear Parishioners,

I greet you all on this the second Sunday in October. This week our nation celebrates Tourism Week. There is no doubt that with the closure of the sugar industry we have come to be much more dependent on the hospitality industry to bring us the kind of financial resources that will sustain the high standards of living, which we have been enjoying for the last twenty years in particular.

As we once again celebrate Tourism Week, let us be reminded that each one of us must do whatever we do as an individual with such devotion and dedication that those who interface with us can enjoy services of the highest quality. This is what it takes to expand our market share of the world fastest growing industry – Tourism. In the hospitality business every individual who offers a service has a vital role to play as to whether the industry develops or stagnates. Let us then practice to offer quality in whatever we present and who ever we present it to; for it is only in this way that we can contribute to the positive development of our tourism product and the advancement of our economy and the Federation as a whole.

It is very important as we support the national economic thrust into the hospitality industry that we do not compromise our commitment to Christian morality especially sexual morality. It is not uncommon for expansion in tourism to bring with it expansion in things like gambling and prostitution. In fact we have already been hearing descriptions of prostitution, which seem to suggest that it may be acceptable. Caribbean politicians are increasingly using the term “sex workers” rather than prostitutes. This is a dangerous development; it is using language that renders sexual immorality less objectionable.

Today’s gospel reminds us as Christians that the Bible clearly states God’s plan regarding males and females. Our Old Testament lesson for today emphasises the Christian belief that God made man and woman (male & female). God has ordained for them a deep unity, which is experienced through the total and loving commitment of one man and one woman to each other. This creates bonds that are deeper and stronger that those between parents and children. But human beings have not respected the plan of God. Men especially those in our Caribbean Region have dominated and brutalized our women; while women have been called whores for having children with different men, men have been considered macho for having children with several women. Our men for the most part have not learnt to and have never practiced that love where they give themselves totally to one woman. Love and fidelity have not walked hand in hand as God intended it. Consequently sexual intercourse has developed an entertainment value when it should actually be a way of celebrating love and commitment. In an atmosphere where there is much emphasis on hospitality, offering the visitors what they are prepared to pay for, it is easy for this unacceptable attachment of an entertainment value on sexual intercourse to increase. Let us all be vigilant and challenge our policy makers to develop our tourism product along lines that maintain the greatest respect for our deepest adherence to and promotion of Christian morality.

Rev. Isaiah Philip