Minister for Justice Rayburn Blackmoore has rejected what he says is the notion of using the bible to justify marital rape.
During a parliamentary debate on the amendment of the Sexual Offences Act, he expressed his disappointment in persons reforming Biblical verses to suit their actions or desires.
“Marital rape in itself cannot be discussed in any plausible manner, without tying it to the better context of violence within the family setting and abuse,” he stated.
Blackmoore went on to say that a number of individuals have misconstrued certain elements and teaching of the Bible and are using them as a means to justify something that is morally and legally wrong.
He stated that it is not right that a woman should submit to the sexual wills of a husband, merely because she said “I do” at marriage.
“It is morally wrong, Madam Speaker, and it should be condemned,” he affirmed.
The Act makes provisions for a sentencing of 14 years if one is found guilty of marital rape.
Does marital rape also include a woman raping her husband??
Mr Blackmore since rape is now being redefined then you have to amend other existing laws to create balance and fairness.One of the amendments I know we need is that if a charge of rape is brought against a man or woman and it is found to be frivolous and is dismissed,the person bringing the false charge should face severe punishment.This is to include fine and confinement and should be subject to be sued by the defendant.This will prevent fraudsters from wasting the courts time also ,from seeking to tarnish and hurt the reputation of the defendant for malicious reasons.Too many times have men bee accused of rape when it never happened or can’t be proven and the accusers walk away knowing that they have hurt an innocent person in malice.If it is proven that rape did occur then let the perpetrator stand to be punished.
Rape is about taking actions by force and without consent. It is wrong. It doesnt matter who is involved, it is just morally and spiritually wrong. Case closed, job done!
Nothing to do with the church, religion or that Cesare Borgia impression that got beaten into our ancestors, plenty had to die so we can suckle on this indoctrination. Today we uphold this white vision of God as greater than ourselves which will always subconciously leave black people feeling inferior.
Researching the history of the Bible might be uncomfortable for some but it needs to be done.
As Bob Marley said ‘Emancipate youself from mental slavery, n’one but us can free our minds’
Great words of wisdom Jon Jones. Why have many of the formerly colonized or oppressed people been so overwhelmed and engulfed by the white man’s God and become slaves of the Bible? People of Dominica, free yourself from this demonic Medieval myth. Let kindness and love prevail.
WELL DONE MR.BLACKMOORE!
I’m a man and feel so embarrassed and sick when I hear about men abusing their girlfriends and wives. We need to respect our women!
The bible was re-written and translated using so many languages over such a long period of time yet all you still taking everything it say literally?? Awa wee
Women, get out of this world and submit yourselves to your spouses. Vice versa for Men.
A husband CANNOT rape his wife. A wife should always be willing to entertain her husband, because she was created to meet his needs. Women today have grown into JEZEBELS, ignoring God’s word. As long as the woman is healthy and alive, she should always give her husband her love and comfort in sex. I believe a lot of men cheat because their wives have grown to worldly. As a married woman, I put out as long as my husband has the desire. After all, why let a hard-on go to waste?
Is this law only for married couples ? What about couples living together for years ? Well this will lead to anger, fear and hate in relationship. This law will be used as a weapon in marriage. Jesus first miracle was in a wedding in Cana . Well if so more men and women will end up in prison for selfish gain. Where are we heading too. Need more councelling before marriage and awareness of these laws . What is going to become of our children, more lawlessness and violence among our children, Lord have mercy. Indeed we are facing the end of time.
How about instead of 14 years in jail, the wife is granted a divorce. In that case the ex-husband will become legally liable to pay spousal and child/children support and in some instance continue to assist with the payment of utility bills, mortgage, rent, insurances etc. There may be instances where the wife is unemployed and uneducated etc. Therefore, how will the above mentioned commitments be maintained if the husband is jailed. Remember, the children stands to suffer the most in this – growing up without the involvement of their father.
In addition, the whole investigation into marital rape has to be conducted with great caution. The spouse has to be convicted without reasonable doubt, therefore, both men and women must be educated on the Law – they need to know the circumstances under which the Law applies and the manner in which it should be reported. The Police Officers also need to be re-educated on the procedures for conducting such investigation.
And they live separate lives and continue to live in sin?????? Government is separating biblical laws from marriage. Marriage is SACRED. NOT TO BE CHANGED BY MAN. A HUSBAND SHOULD NEVER BE PUT IN A POSITION TO FORCE HIMSELF ON HIS WIFE…….SHE IS BEING DISRESPECTFUL TO HER HUSBAND IF AND WHEN IT REACHES THIS POINT.
Great contribution here.When the father,let’s say,is incarcerated the rest of the family will suffer financially,psychologically,socially.This means that tax payers who have nothing to do with that broken relationship will foot the bills for the entire family.Why didn’t the government put out a white paper and let the public debate and contribute towards strengthening this piece of legislation.There always seems to be a rush to get things done and as the saying goes,if you want something badly(meaning quickly),then you will get it bad.I suspect that this is what we have here.
Rape is unacceptable – that said, can the wife rape the husband and if so, does the same rules apply?
A woman cannot rape a man. The mere fact that his member stands out means he wants it.
GARBAGE!! Throw that comment in LaBasse.
This is an interesting and hot topic and debate.
Hon. Blackmoore is correct. I do not see why he had to quote from the Holy Bible. In this case it was not necessary to prove the point of marital rape. Leave the Holy Bible out of it and stick to the issue.
May it be legislated. It is a discipline which will also serve future generations. Husbands and wives should be happier for it.
Now i see DOMINICA is on its way to doom, Yes Yes Yes The bible is so clear on marriage but you have a minister saying the scripture is wrong?God said that a woman should submit herself to her HUSBAND like unto GOD, The minister said ,It is not wright that a woman should submit herself to her husband <OH LORD,Every person in dominica called by the name of christ should openly condemn this statementand as joshuah, Ask for forgiveness from GOD on the behalf of this minister and for dominica on a whole,This world is really coming to an end, This government have finally gotten involve in somthing that is so sacred and honourable in the sight of the lord ,and have designed a way for more divorces and breakups in marriages , believe me , this is going to be a mess, in dominica, Tge only blessed nation or home there can be, is the ones that comply with the perfect word of God, Add nothing , Remove nothing,
Wow another religious fanatic who takes scriptures and twist them to suit his apetite.submitting oneself is not having sex you fanatic..stop using scriptures out of context.you are encouraging assault on a woman when you twist the scriptures.the same scriptures also admonishes husbands to love their wives as christ loves the church.therefore forcing yourself unto her without her consent is assault and does depict love. If a man loves his wife he will respact her decision not to be intimate when she chooses. A woman isnt a piece of meat that you just devour whenever you feel like it..she has emotions . our people need to be educated.
Black mo doe care cause him pro bar blee nut a-ble to get a ha-rd. Hit the road black mo!
it goes without saying that religion is a poisonous substance and it always justifies atrocities, terror and violence. Think about genocide against indigenous people, slavery… think about the Inquisition, the church terrorized Europe for 300 years killing and torturing people, and killing the most talented (Galileo for example). These crimes and many others were committed with the church consent and blessings.The religion always opposes progress and prosperity. The Bible can always justify every crime in hands of a talented theologian and demagogue: marital rape, murdering gays, massacres etc
Bible teaching and narrow minded interpretations of a 4000 year old Arabic folklole is going to prevent Dominica to become a modern society with progress and prosperity for all. For instance the discrimination of homosexual people on the basis of biblical interpretation will keep Dominica in the dark ages with theocracys like Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Religion is the root of all evil.
The most common reason for the conflict of marriages is the absence of Love.
As the apostle speaks to the Church of Ephesus, he compares the marriage of man and woman with the our Relationship of Jesus and the Church, so he says at Ephesians 5: 22 -24
“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her”
So then Paul is speaking about a marriage that is based on “Love” first and foremost
A husband who sincerely loves his wife would do nothing to hurt her and a wife who loves her husband would have him being fed on the palm of her hands. I know about this because I witnessed between my mom and dad, I am a single woman, thanks to God.
Love and human affection is not the same; but that is the belief of the world. So then two people can discover affection for each other, but that doesn’t mean that Love is present between them.
And it is a fact that human affection is a reason man and woman goes to the Altar to take the marriages vows, only to discover later on that they had made a terrible mistake; for human affection does not last forever; the feeling is here today and gone tomorrow. Then comes the words: “I don’t love you anymore” but Love had nothing to do with it.
Love has to be the bond of a marriage, the bond that keeps two people together–come what may. Through the bond of Love, there would be no such dispute as marital rape–not at all!
Wives need to accept husbands will cheat and stay quiet as long as he paying the bills.
Well to make a long story short ,husbands ask your wives before any form of penetration whether they accept to have sexual intercourse…remember that rape always starts by sexual assault .What will the punishment be for sexual assault?
Where in the bible did God promote marital rape???…….SMH…..Whoever try to use bible to justify that certainly skipped the VERSES where it says “HUSBANDS LOVE YOUR WIVES” and “LOVE YOUR WIVES AS JESUS LOVES THE CHURCH” and a man`s prayers can`t be heard because of ill treating his wife. read your BIBLE!!!! The devil working through people that use bible to justify wrong
I agree with you.
The only thing, God hears all prayers but those who ill-treat others just as throw words at them and call them all sorts of names, be it on this Website, their prayers will not be answered.
I heard a man say on the US Catholic Network, “Before God healed him, He cleansed his heart.” He was a bad man, in that, to his wife. Is this not ironical?
Christians know what God expects of us. However, some ignore those holy teachings. Their words and actions tell much about them.
We do know God is All-Holy, Pure and Perfect. Our Lord told us to love one another as we love ourselves and be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect.
Some people have a wrong notion of loving and serving God, although, as Christians, they should know This is how we love and serve God, it is through others.
Too many are mean, unkind, selfish and inconsiderate. They serve themselves; not others, by no means God. He disdains such people – their ungodly actions.
This law makes no sense. Why should any marriage be allowed to reach that point? How are u gonna prove rape in court? Some people like it rough.
You gonna give someone 14 years jail for doing something they’ve been legally doing. Why was the country’s resources on something that foolish? Divorce is an option.
People really citing biblical things to support this? That’s ridiculous, I’d lock up those animals just for saying that.
To a certain point, it is not ridiculous. However, in Parliament, where a government and the public are concerned, in this case, it is out of context. They are debating marital rape. There is no need to bring in biblical reasons.
papamet ,,, DOMINICA finish, We are selling this country to satan like haiti, , Wrong choices, wrong leadership
There are no Biblical grounds to justify what is being called “Marital rape”.
There are several short passages that are sometimes torn out of their contexts and misapplied by people who want to give God’s approval to husbands forcing sexual intercourse on their wives. As a fifty year veteran Bible teacher in churches, Bible Colleges, and a conference speaker I can assure you that the verses of scripture they use (or misuse) mean nothing of the kind. The people who use these verses this way are laymen with no Biblical or theological training whatsoever. Sorry, nobody but a Biblical illiterate would interpret the said scriptures this way.
To even refer to the issue as “Biblical justification for marital rape” is very bad. It implies a meaning that does not exist, and is misleading to sincere and well intended people. This I something we take seriously.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.
Deuteronomy 22:28 KJV
28 If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found;
29 Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel’s father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days.
What do those verses mean rev?
It seems …
If a man has sex with a single woman who is not engaged to another he may give her father a dowry of sixty shekels and marry her. He was not to ever divorce her. He must provide for her all his life.
Otherwise the woman might not find a husband because men would have a tendency to avoid her. The laws and culture of the day would cause them to consider her spoiled goods. This way the woman could be sure of a marriage and a family.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.
I like that act. So when those cheating husbands think they can get away with cheating just claim he came home raped you and voila , bastard behind bars. see it it easy like that cause they want to have their cake and eat it too. LOL. Just wanted to be funny. please don’t do that. cant make a man take prison innocently because of your bitterness unless he rapes you of course.
Many young “Christian” men abuse the scripture, Ephesians 5:22; Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. They were taught wrong by church leaders and led to believe that their wife has less value as a human being than they do. This gives some of them the license to force sex on her or pummel her with blows. There are other religions where women are subjugated but Christians should be different. Christian claim to serve a God of love, it is about time we started acting like it.
Which church leaders? Most people had the wrong notion of marriage and all what it entails. The problem is it was not taught that there should be a time to abstain and not expect the wife to always agree with them on this action.
As for the men, they saw marriage in a different light, that the women are subject to them and to obey them in all things. If the wife did not give in to them, they will go elsewhere and think they are correct.
So i hope when the husband is convicted of marital rape and sentenced to 14 years in prison . i hope the wife will pay the mortgage and all the bills including taking care of herself and the children and not want spousal support. The judge should grant a divorce at the same time . I as a Married woman do not believe in rape in marriage. I truly believe before it reach that stage there must be signs that all is not well so therefore get a divorce or separate.
Some of you twist and turn everything. This is why this Law may be legislated. The men will know that they cannot force themselves on their wives/women at any time and think it is OK that marriage gave them the right.
It is not a matter of you do not believe in rape in marriage. It exists more often than you know and in a worst manner.
It is left to you how you want your husband to treat you. If this is what you want, then you have no worry about that. The choice is yours, Law or no Law. The Law is to protect women who feel they are ill-treated in this manner.
You believe in God, so why the Divorce? God hates divorce and grants it only if and when a spouse cheats and the other spouse cannot get over the cheating act and another which I do not have the time to get into.
Anyway the box start’s with you guys, hope you all stop what all you doing and keep to all you wife, I am fed up with these things am hereing what is taking place in dominica, very soon god well wipe away this country dominica.
The bucks, hearing. Type in capitals where they should be. “God, Dominica.”
It is not only in Dominica. It is in every part of the world. No exception where you reside. Nowhere is exempt from it.
I said that before it gets to the rape point there must be some signs that all is not well .So instead of reaching the point where the wife has to say her husband rape her and has to go to jail separate for a cool down period or get a divorce. I do believe in God.
I am against a man raping his wife of course…my only question is how do we prove it beyond a shadow of a doubt.
It is easy. The wife simply has to report it.
Hope she is honest.
Surely, you should know, yes is “Yes” and no is “No.” Whatever words are used to indicate “NO!”
Strange, St. Paul said: “Let your yes be yes and your no be no.” Of course he did not refer to that. Just an example.
Blackmoore, if anybody misconstrued what thus said the Lord in his words; it is people like you who have exalted yourself over God, and his words. There is a difference in raping someone, and willingly submitting one self. The bible teaches in marriage, both man and wife should submit themselves to one another; and I believe this is in regards to sexual intercourse.
Now I am not suggesting that if the man or woman is ill or simply tired they should be coerced into having sex; I also do not condone any abnormal sex act such as sodomy, and all the other unnatural acts, as in pornography. If that is the case it could be considered rape.
I believe the only other time a woman should refuse sexual intercourse with her husband is during her monthly cycle, of menstruating
There is a Biblical principal behind this; where it teaches to abstain from blood. Medically and scientifically a woman have a menstrual period in order to get rid of waste matters in her, that is ordained by…
Continue:
You had better know what the hell you are talking about and stop talking fart about people misconstrued, when you are the one with the messed up mind: You are not that smart! We know when just before a woman cycle begins, and during the five day cycle she craves more sex, nevertheless, the woman not force her husband into sexual intercourse during that period; based on the Biblical principal “abstain from blood.”
Other than that a woman is supposed to subject herself to her husband, if she refuse him sex, that may cause him to go out and commit adultery!
“I believe the only other time a woman should refuse sexual intercourse with her husband is during her monthly cycle of menstruating”. This statement of yours is so wrong. Can you stop writing nonsense up here. A Woman has a right to refuse advancement of her husband if she is not in the mood.
You are the one who misconstrued what Blackmoore stated.
Look here! The Lord knows what goes on in the bedrooms of the world. Some of it is not a loving, beautiful and nice scene and satisfying to both partners. Much of it is lust not love. If you have sense and do not ignore what is true, you should know and admit it. Do not be hypocritical.
I have a booklet I got from a Catholic prayerful gathering that an African visionary wrote. It is a book to (about) God The Father and his messages. He said at 3:00 am a lot of sins are committed. He asked to pray at that time for those who commit those sins. He knows what is occurring also at that time.
You should know nothing escapes our God. Therefore be respectful and fair of what Hon..Blackmoore stated.
I am talking nonsense, so tell me on what grounds a woman should refuse to give sex to her husband.
Spell it out as I did while talking nonsense. If you say I am talking nonsense, disclosed any reason you think she can use to reject her husband; unless you can spell it out, you are nothing than a common fool!
My argument is based on the word of God! It seems you are simply running your mouth off with an argument that is baseless, and that’s the difference between people like you and me!
Facts; Tell The Truth; Kid On Block, and all who you are, you are a damn old fool who shall forever be a fool, and a stooge to people like Blackmoore. When I am driving through the desert, on my way to Canada, or across America.
It is common to see the wind blowing a balls tumble weeds from place to place that reminds me of you, a nothing idiot being tossed from place restless like the balls of trash, I see! They are carried from place while the desert winds are blowing, eventually ending some place when the wind calms, left decay!
You are a very ignorant person, yo lack the ability to use mere commonsense, never mind using cognitive thinking, you are an idiot!
OK Blackmore I hear you. However, let me remind you that this si what you were taught at the police training academy in Morne Bruce along with ASP. Weeks (Your course mate: “Rape is an allegation easily made, hard to prove, and even harder to be disproved by an innocent person”. Now, compound that with marital obligations and expectations, with a little deviance added with jealousy and disdain then you answer is vengeance at all cost. Careful sir because like MOST of us men you too is no saint and have had many fall outs with madam reference “other” women. Hopefully I don’t see you or the AG in stocky for raping your wife sir. God is NOT sleeping and some women will stop at nothing to ensure that they get the last laugh
Always Assertive!