American cable TV has been flooded with the news in the last 24 hours of 52 young girls who range in ages from 6 months to 17 years old, who were held on a retreat somewhere in Texas. For the BU household this story gets more macabre when we read who was behind this abuse of young people. According to a CBS report the retreat was built by the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons), located near El Dorado, Texas. We are unable to comprehend how a denomination which worships God and many of the prophets Christians hold dear would engage in such an act as reported.
We have grown up with the memory of those ‘White boys’ who are to this day seen are walking or cycling through Barbadian districts peddling the word. Our research through the years has unearthed many accusations of the Mormon’s negative view of Black people. This revelation has always raised confusion in our minds because of the Black Mormon boys who to this day can be seen walking or cycling through our neighbourhoods.
In the BU household we have discussed how our predominantly Black Barbadians have reacted to White Mormon boys and Black Jehovah Witnesses knocking on our doors. Let us be honest! Many Barbadians householders are known to boast of their refusal to answer JWs when they come calling. Yet we have never heard the same boast concerning Mormons. In our minds it explains and identifies a complex which many Barbadians still harbour vis a vis White people. Last time we checked we were told that the Mormons have built churches in Barbados and have been able, believe it or not to attract Black Barbadians to their Church.
We must support the right of all PEOPLE to practice the religion of their choice. It is guaranteed under the constitution. But how can Barbadians accept the Mormon’s right to peddle their brand of religion in Barbados while there is evidence in the USA that the leaders of the Mormon Church are found to be behind many heinous crimes.
What are we missing?
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