In light of the rapid increase in violence at our secondary schools in Dominica, there is need for dialogue among all stake holders on the critical importance of God-fearing men as teachers and principals in Dominican schools.
The present crisis facing our youth, particularly our boys in Dominica and all over the Caribbean, has forced our leaders and others in society to speak out and confront this problem of violence at our schools and the resulting youth delinquency and crime which threatens the peace and stability of all our communities.
Firstly, there has been a gradual and systematic marginalization, underdevelopment and resulting underachievement of Dominican and Caribbean boys in many subtle and not so subtle ways. The time has come for some very sober reflection to be done on the definition and role of our men in Dominican and The Wider Caribbean Society in the twenty first century and beyond.
Secondly, there is need for a clear definition of manhood or maleness and the role of men in Dominican homes , schools, churches and the wider society. Very often , our society and its institutions such as the church, home and the school have failed to socialize our boys and men to embrace our God given and critically important spiritual leadership role in the society. Some people are even afraid to talk about this.
Further, from the 1980’s, the structure of the economy of Dominica has shifted away from agriculture and other predominantly male forms of employment into tourism and other service industries. As a result, the rate of male unemployment in Dominica and the Caribbean has increased rapidly. This has been further complicated by the fact that our education system has not established enough skills programs such as auto mechanics, wood work and furniture making, leather craft, music, art and building construction which would create a diversity of opportunities for our boys and girls alike to find employment after leaving school. This is one of the major causes of delinquency among our youth in Dominican and Caribbean society.
Also, the traditionally established role of the man as bread winner, provider and head of the home , as ordained by Almighty God, has not always been supported by the rapid changes in our economy. Further, most of our boys have not been adequately prepared at home to embrace all educational opportunities so as to broaden their options for gainful employment. There is a very high rate of illiteracy among our male students and adult men in Dominica. We as a society have ignored this problem for far too long. The time has come for our boys and men to be told that an uneducated man cannot adequately play his role in the society in the information age of the twenty first century.
Fortunately, there has been a new realization and rediscovery of the critical importance of God-fearing men in our homes , schools, churches and the wider society. This has come as a direct result of the vivid and tragic effects of the absence of God fearing men within the core institutions of our society.
Only very decisive action ; however , in restoring the rightful role of God fearing men and women in the homes, schools, churches, economy, the public and private sectors will help solve this problem. There is therefore need to have frank, open and honest dialogue at all levels of all institutions of society on this subject.
For example, in keeping with the theme of Teachers’ Day 2011, there is need for action to ensure that more qualified God fearing male teachers, heads of department and principals are placed in our secondary schools. This will go a very long way to improve the level discipline at our schools where delinquency, drug abuse and criminal behavior is rampant. Many of our students lack an male role model at home; as a result we need to ensure that all our students, boys as well as girls, are exposed to the influence o God fearing and qualified male teachers, heads of department and principals to guide their development. The presence of God-fearing male role models is critically important at home and within our churches and wider community groups.
Finally, for much too long in Dominica and the wider Caribbean society has been over burdening our women with the role of being both mother and father. The evidence is there for all to see. Just look at our churches, PTA Meetings, and our homes. Too many of our men have not been playing the role intended for us by God to care for, protect, guide, provide for, love and cherish our families!
The time has come to clean up our TV Programs of the excessive toxic waste of US cultural trash which has polluted the minds and souls of our children for far too long. We are now witnessing the tragic consequences of allowing US cultural imperialism to run amok with our children. There needs to be much more locally produced television programs aimed at educating, informing and entertaining our people in matters relevant to our own culture and socio-economic development! Why can’t we have a locally produced university channel on TV with coursed offered by the Dominica State College, Ross University, All Saints University and UWI? This is what our people need to successfully meet the development challenges of the information age and globalization. Television and IT are potential tools for development. Cuba, Singapore, Malaysia, Sweden, Barbados, Japan, India, China, Canada and many other progressive nations have shown us examples of this.
Our cultural, economic and spiritual norms and values have been slashed and burned as a result. Also, our people have, with our own money, imported mental and intellectual slavery which The Prophet, Bob Marley , had warned us about! I guess we have not been listening. It is time that MARPIN and SAT restructure their programs to focus on Dominica’s long term socio-economic development and public education. Our TV screens need to reflect our people’s best tallents, dreams, music, culture, stories, creative imagination, aspirations and intellect to us. This is why the introduction of COLLYWOOD PRODUCTION on Dominican and Caribbean TV Screens is so important. All our people will be better off for it.
While we need to salute our women, particularly our mothers, for having gone beyond the call of duty; the time has come to demand that our men step up to the plate and play our God given role at home, in schools, churches, agriculture, tourism and the wider society.
Our children will be better off for it!
Tiny did you forget to take your medication again? Well Dcans in trouble if you are an example of what we truly represent.
Mr. Gordon
You have stated quite a number of good points in your message above. I would extend every one of them but that would mean rewriting your ideas.
And so I will only emphasize this one below:
“Finally, for much too long in Dominica and wider Caribbean, society has been been burdening our women with the role of being both mother and father. The evidence is there for all to see. Just look at our Churches, PTA meetings, and our homes. Too many of our men have not been playing the role intended for us by God– to care for, protect, guide, provide for, love, and cherish our families”. You are right on sir!
I know this for a fact in my personal Life. For whatever reasons–the men of my parents’ generation seemed far less learned than the women, but only that they functioned through a great ability of common sense.
However, being less learned they tend to leave the planning and organization to the woman, mother, or wife, too bad that this habit has continued up today.
I know that is factual because my mother has always been planner in my family because she is more learned academically.
As the children we saw her as the head of the family–so to speak. Thanks to God we are eight girls and only two boys–we the girls went to be same being much more learned than our brothers.
For example I was a teacher in Dominica, my two brothers, much younger than I am are illiterate, and yet we all went to the same school in our village.
Even if only a few of us in the family are in church now, I give the credit to my mother–not my father, though I love him just as much–for her influence in raising all of us in Church. My credit goes to my mother because, today I am a very strong person in the Spirit.
The situation you mentioned above, among the others in Dominica, are not different in Canada, where I now reside. Thanks to God that in Canada we have a government who can afford to help in most places where the men have failed.
Still for all the bad habit is plastered in every one’s mind. I once heard a Prime Minister of Canada say that his wife makes all the family decisions–even some of his, just imagine that!
The majority of women have the same problem of raising their children, including having to work to bring in income–being single, divorced, or even if the man, father, or husband lives at home.
There is a family comedy show that I used to like watching some years ago. In one of those episodes,the young son said to his father: “Dad I want to be just like you”. He father played the Judge in Court, on that show.
In reality, how often would we hear a young man saying he wants to be like his father–not very often. Why? Because that young man do not see anything in his father to desire to be like him.
I am a single mother–never been married. My son’s father barely ever made it a point of duty to spend some time with his son, for him and me to take him out together, he went the other way as soon as our son was born.
Hence during his teenage years when he needed advice, entering the young adult ages, my son was left to make his own decisions–with many failed results. Now his father wants to get his attention, but it is way too late–my son is now a grown man, in his early 30’s.
What will happen to our society, with so many young men, having evolved with little or no guidance when they needed it most? This is not a time for people to be casting negative remarks.
Instead, let us pray that God will show us a way to effectively implement most or all of those ideas you have suggested above.
Yes, in all we undertake we need to demonstrate our God fearing mentality. For without God in control “we can do nothing”! Those are the exact words of Jesus Christ, the Man with the Mind of Love, who taught us how to demonstrate the traits of Love. John 15:5
If only we human beings would begin to imagine the success we can have when we function with the unity and harmony of Love?
Aurelius Gordon, this is an excellent article and well-written. I could not have said it better.
Many people, whatever their status, have swayed far away from God and they expect that a society and themselves could function efficiently and successfully without Him. They need to recognize Him, turn to Him, worship Him, pray to Him and live His Commandments if they expect their general efforts to be beneficial.
Granted, their will be obstacles, struggles and frustrations. If in faith, worship and prayer they give it all to Our Lord Jesus Christ and ask for His help, He will grant them confidence and strength.
Our Lord said, “For people everything is impossible. For God nothing is impossible.”
He is waiting for their “YES” so that they can achieve more than they are presently achieving. This also means to curb the disobedience and violence in high schools and to assist those children to become better and scholastic ones for their benefit and future.
As an example, if people think that they can go to bed, wake up in the morning, stand on their own two feet, walk around during the day, talk, laugh, eat and drink, have fun and whatever else and then go to bed at night without God’s assistance, they are deceiving themselves.
Holy Scripture tells us that “We are presumptuous people and only a puff of smoke.”
God bless you. I hope that your article will inspire many Dominicans, as also teachers and students and also those who are not residing in DA.
@ VIP
At the same time, not all parents are bad role models. Those children are disobedient and do not appreciate being disciplined. Likewise in school. They take this baggage with them to school and in society. One would think that they would utilize their common sense and be intelligent enough to conduct themselves appropriately in school which is a place of learning and a temporary one. The end result of their attitude is violence and attacking and injuring the teachers.
Some of them probably do not go to church/have ceased going. Some of their parents may not be attending church as well. What do you expect of such children?
Parents are to teach with patience and example, in word and deed as they pray to God to assist them in nurturing their child or children.
The Our Father is a powerful prayer which Our Lord Jesus Christ taught us. How many of them, parents and children pray The Our Father?
Our Lord Jesus Christ said: “Apart from Me you can do nothing. By My Spirit you can do all things.”
When God is ignored, this is what occurs in the home, schools and society.
Our Almighty Father gave us The Ten Commandments through Moses. Our Lord Jesus Christ taught us The Beatitudes. His Holy Spirit taught us through The Catholic Church, “The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.”
How many Christians know this or have they ignored them or forgotten them? Some were Catholics and they renounced their Catholic faith.
If only everyone in general practiced those godly virtues (they could at least try and God will help), what a wonderful Dominican country/the world in general, free of crimes/murders and a happy, God-fearing, peaceful and united people who will also live in harmony with others, there would be. They would surely be living saints, destined for Heaven and obtain same. This is what God meant for us with no exception.
Our Lord Jesus Christ who also spoke through the Prophets said, “Be perfect and merciful as your (our) Heavenly Father is.”
Children who are disobedient are at the losing end. As the saying, “A leopard cannot change its color/stripes overnight. Those children need help and very quickly for they are aging as all of us and will soon be adults.
What our schools need, are mature, qualified teacher trained individuals, to teach our young men. Our young men have to be taught to be responsible for their actions and their future. Our education syllabus need to reflect the changes in the economic and world job market.
Teachers need to respect themselvesand the students, and earn the students respect.
We all fear God. I do. The question is are we actually doing the right thing the way God wants us to?
some people on here wants kids to live in fear ..they want them to be afraid of their parents ..to be afraid of authority…what a sad life..do you know what it is like to live in fear……. again what a sad sad life..
we should fear and respect God but that is a different fear..it a fear out of love and respect.. for the children of God the fear of God is a reverence of God…
For the unbeliever, the fear of God is the fear of the judgment of God and eternal death, which is eternal separation from God..how can yo have a child who is afraid of you when they do wrong..instead they should be able run to you and ask forgiveness..knowing that there is a consequence but they are still loved…a kid who is afraid of their parent don’t feel loved…they are the ones who are aggressive when they are out of their homes..they are troubled kids………….when are you people going to learn…
this is some of the information the writer of this article should have shared
he never mentioned the word LOVE
i am not convinced. if god fearing men will make a difference in the education system in dominica, then show me your track record. for those who know ,it speaks volumes.
@anon
Annon, you sound much like George!
USA………
“First quit barfing about the second amendment. Its law.
Second quit barfing about keeping guns in safes. People are trying to feed their families keep their jobs and pay for gas. lots don’t have the money. If the gun was kept in a safe and the kid really wanted to get a handgun he would go down to the local corner and buy a stolen weapon and ammo from a gang.
If you really want to be concerned look up “how to build and bomb” on the internet. And be afraid that some idiot teenager whose frontal cortex has not fully developed walks into a cafeteria and takes out hundreds of children. And i am serious. Somebody will think i am kidding. No really, boom, hundreds dead and injured at podunk jr high. the kid was from a broken home, and never new his father. the also had a drug problem and had started using meth. his mother was an alcoholic. OR his parents are pillars of the community and had no idea as they were too busy making money at their jobs to pay attention to their kids.
Children in this country have been left behind by the parents. Instead of a good example and encouraging words they get for parents:
Meth addicts and crack addicts and alcoholics, and parents who just want to sit around and smoke marijuana all the time, and yes i thru that in there as if you are doing that you are as screwed up as a meth addict and your kids will have the same problems. and parents who don’t want their kids, and parents who don’t have time for kids, and parents that are too busy for their kids and let them play all the rated xbox games to keep them out of their hair. And all the other worthless sorry excuses I see for parents every day in the news in the US.
Parents take care of your children, know what they are doing and who they are doing it with.
I am sick of hearing the excuses used when a “GOOD” (GIMME A BREAK), KID GOES BAD.
Who’s fault? The parents. course their civil rights are probably violated by this and they will go to the supreme court and fight against it so they can sit around and keep smoking dope.
And the sheep just don’t understand and fight and fight and fight.
And yes in closing it is sad. However with the law of averages we should have another child or children killed in the next few days. Maybe if everyone would look over their fence and report something strange to the police maybe it would not happen. But God forbid anyone get involved.
“The United States has turned into a sad place to be.”
People are the same where ever you go…….
Aurelius,there is something called conflict between Church and State; it would not be a wise idea to employ a teacher based on their religious belief.
Since all religion does not teach the same thing as it pertains to the word of God, that is conflict number one.
If the church could have any effect on the criminals who attend our Schools, it would have taken effect prior to the student entering High School, and that is if they attended church when they young adults and children.
Are you suggesting that preachers become teachers?
That has been the order of the day in Dominica for almost a hundred years: This has been the trend in the Roman Catholic church in Dominica, and on many of the Caribbean islands, the Principals of the Convent High School, the St. Mary’s Academy, and there was a time when the Methodist High School which I do not know if it exists, once used religious people to teach in their class rooms.
Even when they thought of the St. Andrews Secondary School in Wesley; that was the brain child of Methodist Ministers Martin Roberts of Marigot, if still alive must be in his nineties by now, and Ruben Telemaque still alive and well in New London Connecticut.
I visited with him last summer!
The fact is children are supposed to get their theological education from an early age, thus when they grow up they do not depart from it, and if you are as spiritual as you try to portray yourself, perhaps you are familiar with ” train up a child in the way thus when he/she are grown the child does not depart from it.”
The quote is not verbatim, but if you are a believer you should know the text from whence it came.
We are dealing with students these days who lack any form of home discipline, they curse their parents at home, they have a drink of rum before going to school, they are exposed to crack cocaine, and marijuana, they go to school high on illicit drugs so what do you expect from such charters?
When I was a kid I disrespected a teacher from Marigot, who taught school in Wesley, her name is Vaughnitta, I rudely spoke back to her, and I was so terrified of the consequences, even if the news had not got to my parents the day I messed up, the following week I decided to cut school which is perhaps the worst thing I have ever done in my life.
I just could not face her the following week. When my parents found my hiding place, and came and got me, and took me to School, I found out the teacher was transferred to another village the same week I decided to cut classes.
I became a man, and left Dominica, I met the same teacher, I disrespected in another country, I had to greet her, and the shame which I suffered as a result of my disrespect of her surfaced, we spoke about it, and I was happy to be relieved when she told me she vaguely remembers the incident.
Certainly I did not beat her, or attempted to put my hands on her, if I did I am sure she would have remembered that.
No student has the right under any circumstances to put their hands on a teacher; when that happens the student becomes a felon, by committing a felony, and as such should be treated as a felon!
That student should be arrested and charged as an adult, prosecuted, and sentenced to jail for the crime they perpetrated on those who endeavors to educate them.
” No if, and or but!”
An fifteen year old criminal is no different to a sixty-year old criminal, and must be treated in the same.
Any student who beats a teacher, should not be allowed to attend any school in the country, that student should be expelled permanently from school, if his/her mentality is to messed up the life of a teacher, why should that criminal be allowed to evade retribution by the law?
If an example is made out of one of the criminals who has no regards for law and order, by kicking them out of school, and prosecuting them in a court of law; that may give others a reason to appreciate the privilege given to them, and that might help to solve criminal activists on our school campuses.
Nothing else will help: I doubt if Jesus came and sat in the class room with some of these hooligans, his presence would make any difference to them.
Today’s petty thieves are tomorrow’s gangsters, and graduated murderers!
Stop them before they graduate to worst crimes, it is only a matter of time before some teacher or some student will get themselves killed in a Class Room in Dominica.
That happens here in the United States everyday, and as recently as of two days ago.
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Come again, mate.
The article itself is written from a bias perspective. Just some of the terms used is a clear indication that the author doesn’t understand the inevitability of change. 19th century thinking on a 21st century platform is what this article is all about. This is the type of thinking that creates stagnation and extinction. This is a christian-looking-through-the-narrow-lenses type of thinking.
The author has obviously misdiagnosed the problem, and therefore, is prescribing the wrong solution. There are many god-fearing men and women running this world and its institutions, and they are still in a heap of dung. The pope is a god-fearing man, and his church has been at the forefront of atrocities for many years – take a look at the child molestation cases in the church.
I really hate when the so called modern-day thinkers hide behind the cloak of Christianity, and think that modern-day solutions are created from out-dated lab equipment.
where is your suggestion? typical Dominican.. quick to criticize but not contributing a rats ass. go write your article to…23rd century thinkers in 21st century reality…sacway torneh
lack of good adult role models. PEOPLE THAT DRINK ALCOHOL ,SMOKE MARIJUANA , CHEAT ON THEIR WIVES, ABUSE THEIR CHILDREN BY NEGLECTING THEM,LOUD VULGAR SWEARING PARENTS CANNOT BE GOOD ROLE MODELS. CHECK THE PARENTS OF EVERY CRIMINAL ON THE ISLAND AND YOU WILL SEE WHAT I TALKING ABOUT.
@ VIP
At the same time, not all parents are bad role models. Those children are disobedient and do not appreciate being disciplined. Likewise in school. They take this baggage with them to school and in society. One would think that they would utilize their common sense and be intelligent enough to conduct themselves appropriately in school which is a place of learning and a temporary one. The end result of their attitude is violence and attacking and injuring the teachers.
Some of them probably do not go to church/have ceased going. Some of their parents may not be attending church as well. What do you expect of such children?
Parents are to teach with patience and example, in word and deed as they pray to God to assist them in nurturing their child or children.
The Our Father is a powerful prayer which Our Lord Jesus Christ taught us. How many of them, parents and children pray The Our Father?
Our Lord Jesus Christ said: “Apart from Me you can do nothing. By My Spirit you can do all things.”
When God is ignored, this is what occurs in the home, schools and society.
Our Almighty Father gave us The Ten Commandments through Moses. Our Lord Jesus Christ taught us The Beatitudes. His Holy Spirit taught us through The Catholic Church, “The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.”
How many Christians know this or have they ignored them or forgotten them? Some were Catholics and they renounced their Catholic faith.
If only everyone in general practiced those godly virtues (they could at least try and God will help), what a wonderful Dominican country/the world in general, free of crimes/murders and a happy, God-fearing, peaceful and united people who will also live in harmony with others, there would be. They would surely be living saints, destined for Heaven and obtain same. This is what God meant for us with no exception.
Our Lord Jesus Christ who also spoke through the Prophets said, “Be perfect and merciful as your (our) Heavenly Father is.”
Children who are disobedient are at the losing end. As the saying, “A leopard cannot change its color/stripes overnight. Those children need help and very quickly for they are aging as all of us and will soon be adults.
take all those young vagabonds from our schools and put them on a farm under tight security and let them work the farm to boost our agricultural sector. allow them to see their families on the weekend.They will eat what they grow.
what is he saying..makes some sense but again
where are the monitors….
The Massive issue is that Dominica isnt know at present maybe in the Past for setting High Standards across the board..
Take a deep look at many of our institutions in terms of accountability and vision, comes up way short…..
Look at the Police Department, Look at our local Music preferably ” Boyou”, Look at the Governance aspect in terms of being transparent etc.
Many proclaim to be Christians and God Fearing around here,but very little to show in terms of Final Product….
In Dominica we have many intelligent folks who write major articles etc,,, but where does it pan out too just the wind…
The problem in Dominica is that the citizens are weak and dont uphold and enforce Protcol and High levels of leadership around here…thats the key focus…
So nice writing maybe good to a point but it wont bear fruit unless the work is being done!!
Would advise the writer whom is intelligent Guy to speak on more issues as he has the ability to do so…
Electoral Reform, Crime, Governance, the way forward and the ability to critic those in offices.
Dominica has way too many dark horses!
In the end brings out more ills that postive and uplifting movement of its citizens and country!
Very interesting point of view, but you should accept that writing IS a form of WORK being done!!!
Have a most pleasant day!
I believe that the moral fabric of our society, respect for your elders etc has disappeared in this country. It has started at the head and it is now trickling down
Good point.. Good point
If a survey was done all the local teachers would claim they were “God fearing”.
@ Matriculation
God knows better. He who is never deceived, they cannot deceive Him.
as for you self self self talk talk talk
expertise in action
well well well
Long live PM skerrit
all of dem in one boat
pastor priests lay minister etc etc etc
he have dem all under his wings
write on ma brother right on
next thing is speech writing
we love our edison james so we know he is God fearing
Hope skerro make TALK TALK TALK the candidate for DLP
WE waiting for you treasury needs deposit money economy dead
lol lol lol
GOD FEARING EH YAH I FEAR GOD WE !
Some people have no work to do ??????
DLP Marigot CANDIDATE
God-fearing does not mean going to church and even praying and reading the Bible. God knows the heart of everyone and whatever they do behind closed doors. Check out the Old and New Testaments.
As a holy person stated: “Going to church does not make one holy.” Do you comprehend this?
I recall the saying from my childhood in DA: “Nearer to church, further from God.” Hope you comprehend this.
Aside from the Holy Bible, read also the book, “Imitation of Christ” book. It is an excellent daily directive.
If only the readers knew the real Aurelius Gordon. Practice what you preaching before you jump and write article to fool people who don’t know what you are about. Yes the article hits home for Dominicans but coming from you it is an insult to the real role models out there. Long story short you shouldn’t be telling anyone they should be role model when you grade a minus 100 in that area. Stop using the term god-fearing to make yourself look good you just bringing more shame on the country and people who really want to bring about positive change.
Here we go again with Tiny brain lol.
In reading the commentary, I had a hard time in following what issue the author is addressing here. Is it the economic problem? If this is the case, then I shear the author’s view as to the shift in economic and lagging education as the cause of problem of unemployment. However, is his concern the lack of God fearing men. I am lost. Is he saying that lack of “the traditionally established role of the man as bread winner, provider and head of the home , as ordained by Almighty God” as causing the problem of unemployment. This is ludicrousness. You can love God all you want, he does not provide jobs. On the other hand, if he is speaking about the lack of disciplined, morals, in the community, then these comes through education, preferable a secular one, not by just accepting God. I am not saying that the church cannot teach morals and discipline, they do, but morals do come just from the church. In fact, secular education has what a religious one lacks and that is inclusiveness and respect of all human beings. Over all, this article appears to be more a proselytizing commentary than one providing ideas to solving the problems.
Great article Mr. Gordon…. Your beliefs can definitely affect the type of person you are in society…….Your beliefs shape your individuality..
Great Article Mr. Gordon. The best Social Studies teacher ever. Under his stewardship I received a perfect score of 100% in by SBA.
Continue speaking truth to power. I know you are genuine unlike many others.
And as a second point, assuming my first gets published, what is all this nonsense about men being the head of the household? Yes, it is true that, biologically speaking, male homo sapiens are slightly larger and more prone to leading than females, but mentally speaking, we have the same abilities. To speak of men as being above women like this is to spit in the face of the feminist movement–a movement that, nonetheless, has not affected Dominica enough. Women need to be empowered and shown that they are NOT lower life forms than males. Your chauvinistic 1950s rubbish is unacceptable in the 21st century and is a large part of the reason why places like Dominica are seen as primitive patches of jungle by the other parts of the world that give us so much as a thought at all.
And your idea that us switching from primarily agriculture to primarily tourism has created delinquency–well, I will consider that absurd propaganda until you provide hard evidence. According to you, every great society in the world that has developed out of agriculture should be little more than a dystopia of delinquency–ah, but of course, they aren’t.
There is perhaps no greater proof that religion was created by men than that one of the things males cling to most is that the bible authorizes them to dominate over women. Smdh, smdh.
Being “god-fearing” does not make you a “better” or “worse” teacher. That is nonsense. Being a good teacher is about nothing more than being a good teacher. There is no need to bring religion into this. As far as I am concerned, a Christian, a Muslim, an atheist, a Jew, an agnostic, and a Hindu can all be excellent teachers, as long as they let their religions remain private affairs.
So focus on education and parenting. Leave religion out, please.
I can be God-fearing and not religious. It is strange that some people immediately associate spiritualism, good morals, ethics and values with religion. Do I have to be a catholic or pentecostal to know to share with the less fortunate?
The article clearly states ‘God-fearing’. If you are God fearing then automatically you should know how to distinguish right from wrong, and most importantly to act on that.
people like you frustrate readers.
Stupes You are a moron by definition is you believe in god you are ascribing to a religion which makes you religious. Just because you dont ascribe to a particular religious sect does not mean that you are not religious. Mr. Gordon is an amazing teacher but he is adhering to an antiquated method of thinking where religious morals and maniere d’etre are superior to non religious ones. Its a bit narrow minded. He makes some good points but if every time he said god fairing and replaced it with responsible and moral we would have had a better article
@Stupse
I was going to give you a thumbs up without comments, but I accidently clicked on the wrong button. One of your thumbs down–if that is not the only one you get– is from me but ignore it.
So now I must tell you that your words above are well spoken.
You are so right! Nothing frustrates me more than the mentallity of those who continuously blend their ideas of relgion–whatever it is– with the Ways of God to prove their points.
For I know that those people know nothing whatsoever, about God and the traits of Love–the attitude and conducts that He wants us to maintain, the way we present ourselves as God fearing people to those around us, to give God delight.
Jesus says: “Let your Light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5: 16
Jesus is not asking us to put a handle to our name –like saying I am Catholic, Pentecostal, Baptist, this, that, and the other, to be a God fearing person, presenting ourselves to others for the glory of God.
I wish some people would just hush up! If they have nothing to say–for crying out loud!
great article sir.
I agree with most of these article. But I cannot blame the attitude of the lazy men in Dominica on a lack of courses for them. They can find if they want. Neither do I think that Collywood will always be better. It will have its advantages, but we so beffy, it will be the same lines of drama.
God fearing eh….a lot of those so call god fearing people are wicked than the devil himself…you said a whole lot of nothing…information was much too general…such a long article and no specific advice…a man could be a faithful husband ..never cheats on his wife..go to church every Sunday…be a good provider to his family and still be a very terrible husband and father….
have you read the entire article tiny…once again, you continue to prove this old theory.. give a black person all the answers and solution in writing and they will never pass an exam..you have to understand TINY, that this issue isnt just about the end result(striking a teacher) its much more deeper than you think. a more holistic approach must be taken..not just at the individuals who commit the act… so please…read again
yah you alone dat can read
dounce
respect people response yours is senseless as usual
DATS A RACIST STATEMENT KNOW YOUR FREAKING HISTORY AS A BLACK MAN WE ONCE RULED THE WORLD CONQUERED THE AIR AND SEA so what nonsense you talking about
You need to check yourself, mate. Black has nothing to do with an ill-conceived article. I agree with tiny. The article is just fluff. it is lacking in viable solutions to a modern-day problem. I think it is you who is taking the exam with the grand illusion of passing – when you have not studied at all.
TINY, WHAT ARE YOU REALLY SAYING?????????????????
Tiny is your husband a muslim?
Muslims don’t go to church..they assemble at a mosque
What a religious bigoted statement!
i agreee with you
huh school chidren eh they ……….ing !
@ Tiny
Its you again!
It all depends on your mentality why you do not comprehend the article. What the writer is referring to is God-fearing people who truly love God and love others and also stand up for the truth without denying it and watering it down. This also means to discipline children as students.
Tiny, children must be disciplined. They must also listen, pay heed and practice this discipline. It must be imbedded in them. How else can they grow up and mature to be responsible adults at home, in the work force and in society?
If parents are not able to do so, I do think that they should approach government authorities to assist them accordingly.
St. Paul said, “Whatever we do, do it with love.” This means with patience. I recognize that it is not an easy to do.
St. Paul also said: “Be angry but do not let the sun go down on your anger.”
He recognizes that parents will be angry as well as other people for we are so different and some adults and also children could get us angry.
In this era, children could try their parents, elders, teachers, friends and associates.
My comprehension of it is being “All-rounders” as I term it, always godly/good, being perfect human beings wherever they may be. God will not have it any other way. We are obligated to strive for godly perfection. We cannot be happy and peaceful people and then obtain eternal salvation without this godliness.
Dominica needs responsible children as well as adults. Otherwise, what type of DA society will will there be.
i can’t understand how a young woman can sit and watch shows such as jersey shore… bad girls club… housewives… and such non sense which does nothing positive to the mind… we are just behind in all ways in dominica… we need to implement I.T courses as early as 1st form in our high schools… internet marketing should be a course in all our high schools and further earn a degree in college… we are so behind, it’s not funny anymore… and there are no excuses available… progressive minds are not asking to build airports or hotels etc… we are simply asking for those we voted in power to do what’s necessary to help build a powerful workforce and minds
do you know you can stay in dominica and do outsourced work for companies hiring people to do internet work??? well it’s beneficial to them since they won’t be paying the american rate… ask India how it’s done… this is so emberrassing, we keep forcing academics down everyone’s throat, when it is obvious that many people are more skillful… how much women had poor grade academically but now operate hair salons… how much men who did poor academically but now are contractors in various fields such as construction, electrician and the list goes on…
in this day and age, dominica still doesn’t have a school for music production and writing… ‘really?’… i could go on and on but sadly it’ll only fall on deaf ears…. those in power never listen to the plight of the populace… in dominica we keep voting the ‘dumbest’ among us to hold political office… guys who only get their degrees after getting into office… guys who have forgotten that it was the banana gold which facilitated most of them to go through college… our leaders lack foresight… a place like dominica in the 21st century should seek to be building a manufacturing plant which makes goods out of our agricultural produce, then we can move to fishing and poultry produce… as long as dominica keeps putting agriculture on the back burner… we will always be going cup in hand begging… smh….
Well said!
is dat a response
what did u understand ?
foolishness
illiterate !
chupes ………….
get work to do
dats y d man never marry u yu 2 idle