As Shirley Richards would have it, religious rights and freedoms are under threat from the pro-abortion and pro-homosexuality agenda. I cannot imagine what hysterical machinations of thought could have led her to this conclusion.

In a time of virulent religious fundamentalism, where religious rights are vigorously claimed and asserted, this simply cannot be true. In a situation of escalating homophobic violence and discrimination and more women dying from botched abortions, what behoves vigilance is not the trumpeting of "religious rights". Rather, it is the blatant disregard for some of the biggest challenges to the universality of human rights and democratic principles that must be confronted.

Posing threats

It is interesting that Richards should have these views and regard them as under threat. She has consistently threatened the advancement of progressive debates on rights, threatened the lives of many lesbian/gay/bisexual/transexual citizens with her religious fundamentalism and is unrelenting in presenting apocalyptic end to decency and morality should we even entertain the notion of protecting those who are among the most vulnerable in our society.

Rethink position

If anything, I urge that Richards and those who follow her agenda to rethink what they are advocating. In no way in present times and in Jamaica are religious rights compromised and under threat and in no way could homosexuality and abortion thwart the freedoms and liberties enjoyed by all in our country.

Richards, particularly having agency and access to speak on this issues, is far the least threatened voice as she would like to present herself. She enjoys the freedom to articulate views that are widely accepted and which further marginalise and persecute the very group of persons that she seeks to deny rights.

I am, etc.,

ALEXANDER JAMES

alex.james40@yahoo.com