The vice president of the Bahamas Christian Council (BCC) yesterday said the organization will not react to the group of prominent pastors who intend to promote the regularization of gambling. Pastor Victor Cooper, of New Bethany Baptist Cathedral, said the organization remains focused on educating Bahamians on why they should vote 'no'. Though the full list of names of pastors who wish to see web shops legalized has not been publicized, The Nassau Guardian confirmed the names of Rev. Dr. Philip McPhee of Calvary Baptist Church; Rev. J. Carl Rahming of St. Paul's Baptist Church and Bishop Simeon Hall of New Covenant Baptist Church.
"The BCC, as I indicated earlier, has a commission that is dealing with this, and I believe that they will continue to educate the public on why they ought to vote no," Cooper told The Nassau Guardian. "...The BCC recognizes that gambling in the main is addictive and I think they will continue to try to prevent [a favorable outcome for web shops] as opposed to trying to react to any negative things." Cooper said the government has put forth its position, as have other groups, including those pastors, but the BCC's position remains the same.
"We are obligated to give moral direction to our people, and so we want people to know that we trust God and we don't trust him with luck and chance," he said following an Urban Renewal presentation on Miami Street. "We know that God will do what he says he will do and we want our people to continue to look to him who continues to provide for us. "After the referendum we will see what happens." Hall, McPhee and Rahming were also at the event and spoke with Prime Minister Perry Christie before departing. Hall briefly commented that he is instrumental in the group's push to regularize.
Just weeks before, the former BCC president hit out at the organization, accusing some members of being "homophobic" and remaining quiet on too many issues facing the nation. At the time, Hall stressed that he was not promoting gambling, but said he did not support the stance taken by the BCC on the gambling issue. While Cooper did not comment on Hall's position, he agreed with him that the church ought to put more focus on other social issues "This is an important issue, but the other social issues we need to give a voice to as well," he said.
"Reverend Hall has always been one who is very socially conscious. His track record will show that. "I think again that he was causing us not to think myopically, but more broadly because there are other social issues that need the eyes and voice of the church, and obviously, I agree that we ought to be doing more in that regard. Cooper said the BCC prays the outcome of the referendum is not favorable, but if the Bahamian people vote 'yes' it hopes the government would carry out the law accordingly. The group of pastors is scheduled to meet with the prime minister today at 9 a.m., according to McPhee.
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