VG Easter Festival ‘unholy’- Bishop John I. Cline
"The only thing that I am put off with in the BVI is the whole carnival thing in Virgin Gorda, which in my estimation, is in no way holy," said Bishop Cline.
It is his contention that this does not fit in with the Christian nature of the island of Virgin Gorda. "I don't think they should have moved in that direction to have such a festival or carnival on the holy week. I think that is so anti-religious and that I just can't get with," Mr Cline said.
The pastor of the New Life Baptist Church in Duff’s Bottom on the main island of Tortola added that to the best of his knowledge this issue has not been raised as one of concern with the people of the Virgin Gorda community but said he had in the past brought it up at the level of the Christian Council.
"I don't think it went anywhere but I think it's clear for all to see..."
Easter should be about humility & Reverence
In defending his concern, Bishop Cline referred to the Jews who he said would never be found involved in anti-religious activities. "You would never see the Jews [do certain things] during the holy month of Ramadan or their Yom Kippur, they observe those with great humility and reverence. With the Christian community, when we have Good Friday or Easter Sunday to have in the air some kind of carnival activity I think that just doesn't speak well of us as a Christian community.”
The man of the cloth also added that there are norms and practices that are still being revered in the Virgin Islands that are not necessarily synonymous with the true meaning and reason for Easter.
"People also still observe most of the traditional things, like they don't eat meat because of the shed blood, so they say they don't eat anything with blood. I think those are traditions, I don't think they have any biblical authority governing them," he added.
Easter still not commercialised like Christmas
It was also noted that Easter has been the one religious season that has been revered by the greater population in the Virgin Islands (VI) as it has not attracted a commercial style as the Christmas season has.
Easter is seen as the holiest season in the Christian calendar. It is a time where we celebrate what was done for us through Jesus Christ in terms of salvation. It is said in the Bible, and noted by Bishop Cline, that if Christ is not risen from the dead then we are still in sin and all preaching are in vain.
"So while we celebrate, we are thankful for his death, we celebrate his resurrection."
Thankful for His death
Good Friday, observed yesterday April 3, 2015 is seen as a time of thanksgiving to God for his sacrifice on the Cross but Christians look forward with great anticipation to Easter Sunday. "In order for there to be an ascension, there must be a resurrection, and for there to be a resurrection there must have been a burial and for a burial there must have been a death and so that's why Friday (Good Friday) is so important because we couldn't have a resurrection without a death. We couldn't have ascension without a resurrection. So Good Friday is truly an important day for all Christians around the world," Bishop Cline added.
Meanwhile, Bishop Cline is known to be outspoken about his views that are often seen as controversial by many. In March, 2015 he came under heavy criticism for his views on Monogamy as expressed in his book ‘Monogamy Mystery: Natural /Unnatural?’ There were also many, however, who stood in defense of the Bishop’s writing.
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81 Responses to “VG Easter Festival ‘unholy’- Bishop John I. Cline”
This pulpit p*mp needs to check himself before casting stones
Pulpit p**p. Good one.
11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?
12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
Now he black externally. Some say he black internally also.
I believe he making some sense for the Christians but who is he to judge anybody.
My message to Pastor Cline is to look in the mirror and if you don't see any other color than BLACK well please ask God to show you the light.
By the way I am not an NDP paid blogger.
There are too many one day,holy week,Christmas and special church occasion Christians as we ought to live everyday for Christ. If Christ is to make an appearance any day of the week except Sunday or Saturday many will go straight to hell.Nothing is wrong in holding any activities during certain holy occasions.Check many countries that do but take time out to be reverend and then resort to their normal activities once more.We are a Christian society but the truth is there are more Christians on the outside of the church as one will be surprised of the many demons within the churches.Anyway we all have to give an account to no one but the one above. Let's all continue to live for Christ that is pleasing in his sight. God bless
He without sin cast the first stone.... As much as it is a fact that we celebrate easter and the lords, I feel in society we should follow what we preach..
h0 just like him
thing to talk the village ram.
And as for you people who saying he need to check himself before he talks about others and stay within the church business etc. Yall stay there worrying about him whether he do this or do that because at the end of the day when Jesus come and he's saved and you guys aren't... he'll be in heaven walking on streets of gold while the rest of you burn in hell... (Notice Is Said If)
Oh and for the person who said he's trying to say there is a wrong and right time to sin, he is not... He just saying of all the times to sin this is the worst... At least have a little bit of respect... Christian or Not...
mothers hide your daughters...
Everybody goes to be judge.
Religion causes separation. But we respected Good Friday but this is our cultural aspect. Vg little 3 day celebration you trying to put a stop to and Tortola tramping for almost 2 weeks? Come on we are a community who don't bother each other.
Just join the parade fun and shut yuh mouth Mr. CLINE!!!! I'll be seeing U!!
YOU CAN'T BE CASTING STONE WHEN YOU YOUR SELF IS UNHOLY.
Galatians 5:19-21
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, RIVALRIES, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, revelries, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
RIVALRIES IS CARNIVAL
All these years you taking your family to watch these parade and only now you seeing it is unholy. You know carnival was and is unhloy HYPOCRITE. Live right and the people will live right.