With a staggering, record-breaking 102 murders on the books, and more than three months left in the year, many Bahamians are questioning just what is going on.  In a country where one murder in a "blue moon" was the talk of the town for weeks, if not months on end, with the murder rate soaring into the triple digits, it has almost become normal for people to hear the news of another tragedy on an almost daily basis.

 But leading religious leaders say it is time the public wakes up and does its part in putting the brakes on this horrific social issue.  Archbishop Patrick Pinder, leader of the Catholic Archdiocese in The Bahamas, in a written statement says the dangerous spiral can be arrested but solutions can only begin when people "open the window" to the cold, bracing, yet refreshing wind of truth.

"Present societal conditions may have much to do with the way we have pursued development in our country.  We appear to have forgotten that the human person is both material and spiritual.  If we nurture a single aspect only, we do so to our detriment," he says.

The Catholic church leader says it is time to confront an uncomfortable truth in the fact that lawlessness has become fashionable in The Bahamas in ways that are small and great.  He says it is time for citizens of the country to see that crime is not only what is reported in the media, but the small things that people take for granted that are a part of their daily lives.
While major crime is a serious thing, he says it is only the end product of people starting out not doing the right thing in the smaller instances that escalate once the conscience has deteriorated.

"In using our roads, many among us flaunt every traffic law and every code of civility.  The red light now appears only a suggestion and a suggestion that many ignore without the slightest twinge of conscience.  For the rest of us, the green light has become the new caution, advising that we proceed at our own risk.  But our traffic woes are merely symbolic of deeper ills," says Archbishop Pinder.

"Every day we mark new departures from self-control and public order.  It seems that we are losing the quality of character to entertain rational discussion or simply to walk away when trouble threatens.  It is no news that more and more Bahamians are using weapons, such as knives and guns, as instruments of conflict resolution.  Increasingly and distressingly, this is even the case among schoolchildren."

Archbishop Pinder describes what is happening today as a shame, especially as Bahamians pride themselves in being an enlightened and progressive society formed by a friendly, peace-loving and God-fearing people.  "Unfortunately, today this belief which used to be so true is losing credibility as only some elements of this character remain with us, held fast by a declining number of extraordinary Bahamians in all social strata," says Pinder.  "We are losing ground on freedom, losing our grip on peace and safety."

Reverend Laish Z. Boyd, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese in The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, says with the murder rate at a record high, the country is at a place it has never been, but he says people should continue to look forward and upward to God and the future. He says it is important not to lose faith.

"What is happening in our country is not an all out war as you would think it is," says Bishop Boyd.  "It is confined to certain constituencies among certain people.  We need to keep on doing what is right.  We need to strive to help as many people as we can.  Do not let these times hinder us from doing good.  We need to seek to touch lives especially in these times when people are despairing and need hope and comfort."

Bishop Boyd says people need to continue to try to make things better for other people and do all they can with their charitable acts so people don't feel they are pushed to commit desperate crimes.  He says it is people being less giving and unwilling to help in these times that can make others feel they have no other choice but to sink to crime to get by in some cases Strengthening the home, marriage and family life is also a major thing society needs to work on he says.

  With many families weakened, and in need of help in coming together again because they were related to victims in many of the acts of violence that happen almost daily, the Anglican church leader says the need to exact revenge, or resolve an issue is often the root of other crimes which needs to stop as well.

"Most people are doing the right thing and want the best for the country, but it is tragedy and loss of hope that can drive them to do the wrong thing."  Bishop Boyd says it is important not to lose hope and continue on the right paths even in the face of adversity.

Just last week, the Bahamas Christian Council, under the leadership of Reverend Ranford Patterson  spearheaded a national day of prayer, after which a wave of seven murders occurred.  Patterson says that is not to say the church's efforts are in vain and the country is beyond hope.

"I feel there is much good to come in the near and far future for our country," said Patterson.  "At the ceremony for the day of prayer a multitude of Christians came together to take the time to pray for our nation and its problems.  I was glad to see that almost all the denominations in this country were represented and the leaders came together as one.  This is hope even in this darkness we feel around us.  Many of us have turned from God and we all just have to remember He is the savior and will get us through at the end of the day."
Reverend Patterson says this is not the time to despair about the problem while simultaneously thinking the situation will not touch or affect you in any way as long as you look the other way.

"I think one of the first things we need to do as a people is to stop counting murders or numbers and sensationalizing it.  Instead we should be looking at our situation as a desperate need for all of us to be taking responsibility in doing whatever we can to eradicate this problem.  It's a national issue and requires all of us to solve it."

Reverend Patterson, who is also head pastor at Cousin f Cathedral AME Church, says every Bahamian should be on the lookout for problems or people they know who are angry, fighting or are known not to be able to peacefully resolve issues.  "We need to report these early so it can be put to a stop before it gets to the point of murder.  We need to be aware of what our kids are up to and noticing people who are up to no good.  Don't turn a blind eye or believe it's just a part of life."

The public needs to return to a level of consciousness where crime was a problem and not just a novelty he says.  Even with the current statistics, he says, there is always hope.

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