Dear Editor,
There has been much talk and social gossip about the fact that a majority of the members of Pilgrim Baptist Temple voted to retain its disgraced and convicted pastor, Bishop Randy Fraser, at its helm. He is currently serving a three-year stint at the Fox Hill prisons for an act of sexual misconduct against a female. The court has convicted and sentenced him. His appeal was dismissed by the Court of Appeal. By all counts he has settled down into the life of a sentenced convict, as he is.
Having said that, however, is it Christian-like to continue to beat him down when he must be at the lowest point in his adult life? Is this what Jesus Christ would have done if He still walked the Earth in the flesh? In no way, shape or form, however, am I seeking to justify or excuse what he has been convicted of by a competent court of law. There must have been sufficient evidence to connect him to the offense for which he was charged. It is what it is.
As a person, however, who would have endured my own public disgrace and vilification some years ago, albeit never charged or convicted of a criminal offense (as I could have been), I am able to empathize with the bishop. In this country people are quick to condemn and ostracize individuals who would have found themselves on the wrong side of the law or societal norms. In many instances, especially where one deliberately commits an overt act of criminality, that sort of treatment is, in fact, appropriate in the short run.
Once that has been done, however, I submit that the process of forgiveness and redemption must kick in. We are to hate the sin but not necessarily the sinner. If he has not already done so, he should confess, in the appropriate circumstances, to his wife, his family, church congregation and, more importantly, the female involved. Too many of us act as if we have no sin within us and are prone to cast big rocks at other individuals who may have been found wanting.
When I was disbarred some years ago, justifiably, I was looked upon as the worst of the worst by family, friends and lovers. For many years, I was unable to accept the rejection and if the Lord was not with me I really don't know where I would be today. It was brutal, to say the least, and many days I actually saw Sandilands, jail or the grave, literally.
Thanks be to God that one day I went into the house of the Lord (Evangelistic Temple) and my life was completely turned around. In order for the forgiveness, inclusive of self-forgiveness, to kick in and for the process of redemption to start, I had to come to the harsh realization, that I had committed an unacceptable ethical breach as a lawyer by my own volition.
No one else was to be blamed for my act of malfeasance. Once I did this, the way back was clear and easily acceptable. As it was with me, so must it be with Fraser. It does not really matter if other individuals accept, forgive or embrace this man. Once one would have confessed to God and made the appropriate amends, that is it. Too often in our so-called Christian society people never want to forgive individuals who would have done something wrong, no matter the contriteness and a complete abandonment of one's former wicked ways.
Former convicts are relegated to a life of scorn and unemployment except for the most menial of jobs. Many of them find that spouses, family and so-called friends will abandon them without a moment's notice. Those who don't go crazy, resort to drugs, alcohol and more anti-social behavior. Some, God forbid, even commit suicide. This must stop if we are to truly live out the Christian experience. Look at me today - the number one rated radio talk show host and a much sought after business consultant. I am once again politically and socially reconnected.
I have a brand new younger wife and family. When I go into a bank, the manager rushes to cater to me. Before then, when I walked into such an establishment I had to keep an eye on the door for a quick exit, if necessary. Yes, fellow Bahamians, until I went into the House of the Lord, I was almost gone. It is not to be expected that a majority of Bahamians will accept you or even allow you to reintegrate yourself back into society. Forgiveness and redemption, however, starts within.
God always will do the rest. And so, beloved, I encourage the bishop to embrace that proverbial second chance and emerge from prison as an even greater man of God despite the naysayers and backbiters. To God then, who is still on the throne, in all things, be the glory.
- Ortland H. Bodie Jr.
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