VI highly 'religious' yet the people are mean- Skelton-Cline
Ever since the phased border reopening and particularly since Government had put a brief hold on work permit holders and those with exemptions entering the Territory, there have been frequent exchanges between persons, including expatriates against locals and even locals against locals, over their differing views expressed on social media.
"For being such a religious community... maybe that's the problem, we're too religious. It is religion without authentic and genuine and sincere relationships with the almighty God," he said on the Thursday, August 13, 2020, edition of the 'Honestly Speaking' show on ZBVI 780AM.
Fear & Intimidation
According to Skelton-Cline, a possible reason for the behaviour could be fear and intimidation, which he said is practised throughout all facets of the VI, including in offices, politics and everyday life.
"For a people who are church-going, so-called God-fearing people, people who know the bible, quote the scripture, go to church every Sunday... yet we are so mean towards each other," he said.
Mr Skelton-Cline said this alleged bad behaviour includes intimidation and verbal expressions to keep others oppressed.
"We intimidate [those] who we may be exercising some managerial or supervisory position over, we use and manipulate persons, fear and intimidation and we become a very sheep-like people... that we don't even have the sense to cry out while we are being taken to be slain."
Hypocrisy - Skelton-Cline
He said for Virgin Islanders to overcome that spirit, it calls for people to be humble and bold to speak up and speak out.
"We picking and creating artificial fights, locals, non-locals, expats... we have all kinds of labels, some of which are derogatory about each other. How did we come to this as a people?"
The man of the cloth said other VI qualities include the spirit of pride, which he said comes with condescending, belittling and disrespectful behaviours.
Skelton-Cline underscored that the entire situation wreaks with hypocrisy. "How did we become like this and how can God honour this?" he questioned.
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48 Responses to “VI highly 'religious' yet the people are mean- Skelton-Cline”
Wasn't he ex-communicated by the Bishop?
We still cant get a dime from the district yet ,where is the district money?
Heard you. Could be: between then & now he changed ........
Don't throw stones in greenhouses also
This guy is full of hate for whatever keeps in the media
all of this starts...all of this hatred ....is manifested by those who have the general publics ear....who stir it up on the radio for their own self gratification..
pot calling the kettle black.
It is very evident in some quarters where some individuals considered themselves as having more opportunities than others. In God's sight we were all created in His image and no one is greater than the other. I would hope that this will be an opportune time for us the share the olive branch with each other.
We are created in the image of the happy God and there is no wickedness in God. So then, all who practicing wickedness cannot be happy. If they say that they are happy then they are liars even to the point of calling God a liar.
Of all the tests and trials in life, I believe that religious hypocrisy is the hardest to deal with. That is what I believe.
One congregates in a place of worship where there is a higher being for a reason. One congregates to worship the Creator, the Almighty, the one who brought the Israelites out of Egypt and the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ for a reason. Because he is our Creator, our God. It requires a lot of faith not to run away from places of worship when one sees the level of wickedness going on within. But one will be running from where he should be going. Thus, faith and endurance are required to do the will of God until he is ready for the wicked.
Growing up as a child, my grandmother would say: the Devil in the church too. I took that literally then looking for the Devil and when I didn't see him I wondered if he was sitting next to me. I had some understanding that you cannot see the Devil. But I was still looking for him. Now that I have grown both physically and spiritually, my understanding of her statement has become more clear. Yes, there are those performing for men and showing men (mankind) that they are God fearing but in reality are doing the works of the Devil.
There is only one lesson needed from the bible to make the world a better place. "Do unto others as you would like them to do to you" If everyone followed this we would have a lot less hate in the world.
People should also remember that Old Testament God was a vengeful violent god and so if you take all of your lessons from this part of the bible, it is no surprise when you act hatefully to your fellow man and woman.
What is better in the world, someone that goes to church every week but is spiteful and mean, or someone that does not attend church but takes time to help those in need and acts with goodness in their heart? I suspect many pastors much prefer the people that keep the church coffers flowing with money.
If Jesus returned today, the citizens of many countries would act with hate towards him for not being born there or for having the 'wrong' skin colour.
Titus 1:16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
As a leader is this "do as I say and not as I do" or what? Kettle certainly calling the coal pot bottom black.