Pastor Rodney weighs in on same-sex ruling

Pastor Randy Rodney

Host of Q-95 Radio Kingdom Connection Program, Pastor Randy Rodney has shared his views as it relates to a decision made by the Dominica High Court on Monday, which recognizes the right of same-sex adults to have consenting sexual activities in privacy.

The Dominica High Court has ruled that sections 14 & 16 of the Sexual Offences Act which punishes homosexual sex, is unconstitutional.

The ruling effectively decriminalizes homosexual sex in the country. The decision has far-reaching implications for human rights and the role of religion in Dominica.

Speaking on Q-95 Radio this week, Rodney said the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender (LGBT) have won a battle that now gives them the right to what they have always done.

“They have always had sexual acts; they have always committed sexual acts between and among themselves and I don’t know anybody would break and open any house and go and stop them from doing,” he stated.

Rodney continued, “The law says that they can do it without anybody disturbing them in private.”

He added, “And one of the things I am happy about in the deliberation is not just that’s what I want, but it keeps enthasizing in private, which means that they can go in their bedrooms and do their abomination…it doesn’t matter if you tell me [priests] do it or pastors do it or judges do it or police do it, whoever do it, my friends, it is called abomination.”

According to him, if pastors commit adultery or fornication, it is wrong.

“That’s just how it is,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Rodney asserted that the courts in Dominica and the Caribbean can change the law if they desire however, “Here is which court that everyone should be afraid of, the real high court, which is the court of real justice,” he remarked. “In that court, when God raises his finger and says you are guilty, no attorney, no QC, no SC, no high court judge can change that ruling.”

Rodney made it clear that he stands, according to him, on the side of God.

“That ruling has come down and it has come down to the place now where the movement, the Sexual Offenses Act sections 14 and 16…It has been ruled that these pieces of legislation contravene the constitutional rights of people who want to commit buggery,” he explained.

The case was first brought before the court in 2022 by a gay man who sought to have two sections of the Sexual Offences Act (SOA) that criminalize consensual same-sex activities ruled unconstitutional. The case to end the criminalization of LGBT people in Dominica was supported by Minority Rights Dominica (MiRiDom) and the HIV Legal Network, working alongside the claimant who was not named because of risk to his safety, according to the claimants.

Under sections 14 and 16 of the SOA, sexual activity between consenting partners of the same sex is prohibited — offences that were first enacted in 1873, when Dominica was under British colonial rule. The man who launched, claims to have faced “discrimination, hostility, and horrific violence” in Dominica because he is gay.

“Dominica’s 1978 Constitution guarantees the rights to privacy, protection from discrimination, liberty, security of the person, freedom from inhuman or degrading punishment, freedom of expression, and freedom of assembly and association,” declared MiriDom in a press statement issued when the matter was first brought to trial in 2022.

“Sections 14 and 16 of the SOA violate these rights in numerous ways.”

 

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30 Comments

  1. Nkrumah Kwame
    April 29, 2024

    My take on this issue is simple : the AG’s office supported the claimants view that the sections were unconstitutional and asked the judge to rule against said sections. Knowing this, why didn’t they just remove these sections themselves ?? At the same time, I am reminded that the PM stated at a press conference some years ago, that those changes would not occur under his watch. Was it an attempt to ” wash their hands ” in dealing with the issue ?

  2. Jaime Ann Lewis
    April 26, 2024

    For the people who live in the Diaspora, particularly in the US and other developed countries where the State has provided the necessary protection for all people with respect to the rights of same gender loving people, how have your lives been personally affected by the LGBTQ population? Have you had less food on your table? Have you been made jobless? Have you been unable to go to your places of worship? Have your bank accounts been frozen? Have you been unable to access food stamps and fair housing? During COVID were you unable to get free masks from the government?
    Please share in what ways you are personally affected by adults engaging in consensual sex in the privacy of their homes? Were you enticed to join in the action?
    The court ruled that the police cannot arrest two adults who are consenting to engage in sexual acts that are akin to same sex behaviors. That includes men and women, straight and gay. Just do not engage with minors or people who say NO!
    Go to church and…

  3. Labour power
    April 26, 2024

    Now Caroline go read ISIAH chapter 45 verse 7 in your Bible,then post a comment and explaine.Waiting.

  4. Pat
    April 25, 2024

    Your boy went around signing stuff, tells you 2 weeks later, now he has to deliver to the likkle monse/monster.

  5. Dreadidiah
    April 25, 2024

    So I’m being censored.

    I suppose there is no place in the DNO comments for passionate defense of morality?

    Do you only tolerate those that agree with you?

    Aks I aksing.

    ADMIN:???

  6. Dreadidiah
    April 25, 2024

    This is not just about what people do in private and whether they will be prosecuted for it. When last was someone jailed for boggaring in Dominica? This is about making a statement about who we are as a people and our moral standards, or lack thereof. These perverts have been agitating to convert our society into a standards-free immoral swamp and they seem to have scored a victory. We are now on record as allowing this dirty perversion in our society.

    The judge(s)who made that decision are spineless, immoral cretins. They seem to feel like we need to follow the depraved example of western society, not regarding the societal rot that this path is causing. “Oh justice thou hast fled to brutish beasts and men have lost their reason.”

    Who elected those judges anyway. Who gave them power to determine national policy? We have a parliament, these are the ones who have responsibility for those issues, not morons in black robes.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 4
    • Zandoli
      April 25, 2024

      So if miraculously there are no gay people in Dominica will suddenly be a moral society? Is homosexuality the only activity that is stopping us from becoming the moral utopia?
      Before you answer, remember I am a Dominican. So you cannot mamaguy me.

      • Dreadidiah
        April 26, 2024

        Nobody said that. Your argument does not hold up, you just practicing whataboutism.
        Because you are in a pit does not mean you have to keep digging. Don’t make things worse. Selah.

    • Without Sanctions
      April 26, 2024

      Very sensible comment, I noticed you were not censored. Well it’s a step by step process. Next step is parliament. And if the PM gives trouble signing, they will just wait him out. It’s a page from America when Barny Frank broke congress by being the 1st openly gay senator in the 80’s in their drive to get recognized “like Black people” did. Today they use different accords to sign or get sanctions, and no “aid”. We scared to depend on ourselves. Barney just sat a while and waited. Voirla, PM/parliament will sign after you get softened. :twisted:

    • EXACTLY
      April 26, 2024

      Finally someone who gets it. I think people just don’t understand the significance of these types of decisions. Mark my words we are going to see more stuff like this and they will always fall back on this ruling as their justification for pushing the limits on what is allowed.

  7. Odinn
    April 24, 2024

    When you are freed from the shackles of organized religion and the manipulation by the representatives of the white man’s God, you are finally free.

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 8 Thumb down 9
    • Believer of organised order love the Creator
      April 25, 2024

      Did you create yourself? Did you create a well-organized universe? The creator is not a racist. We are not black, white, negro. Most of us are mixed. It is a shame how dark-skinned people who had various ancestors – white, black, from Africa, France, Sicily, Arawak, and Carib still want to call themselves African. Emancipate yourself from mental racist slavery. White man’s religion u say. You have to understand that you have to answer to the all-powerful Creator. Since you do not believe in the Creator, then do not die. The breath of life was given to you & can be snatched anytime. Stay alive forever. Can you do this? I am sure not. You people want to condone all the immorality – do as you please. You were created to worship the one true creator. To live a godly life. To know that there are two powers; you were given free will to choose. Go ahead and do what you want but I warn you that we all will be judged. Do not believe in the white man’s religion but prepare to meet Maker.

    • out of south city
      April 26, 2024

      Say on. Some of our people do not even know that they are still subservient to the white man by adoring their white jesus, who will not and cannot save them. It’s a mythical figure my people. With all these religions, why are we still catching hell? Seems like things are getting from bad to worse but we won’t let that image go. The Europeans who gave us their religion, studied African Spirituality and turned around and gave us a god and a book. Africa was in existence before the bible and jesus, my people. Africa is the cradle of civilization. All we have to do is believe. We can’t even do some reasoning and research, to find ourselves again.

      • Odinn
        May 1, 2024

        I am in complete aggreement with you “out of south city”. Organized monotheistic religion is only about 5000 years old. Before that, humans belived in this and that, mostly intimidated by the forces of nature, darkness, thunders and such, creating the mystical universe called religion, later adopted successfully by the rulers. The Europeans distributed the faith in the white Jesus, supported by the written “evidence”. Religion has always been a tool for oppression. What is better for the ruling elite than to have a publicum that obeys and fears the power and fate, chosen by the “god” which is in direct contact and communcation with the elite? There are over 4000 gods that mankind belives in.

  8. The Old prophet
    April 24, 2024

    Look, Holy men like Abraham, Moses, all the prophets of the Old Testament, down to Jesus, the apostles Peter, Paul, John and others met homosexuality and died and left it there. They were holier than all of us. So what makes us think we can stop it? Furthermore, who said we ourselves, our children or grandchildren can’t become a homo tomorrow ? So as a church we have to think of being gratuitous rather than being judgmental. In fact Gal 6:1 warns us to be careful how we deal with others less we to fall.
    In the US I was a member of a powerful church where the pastor was always hash on sexual immorality especially homosexuality; only to find out later he was sued by two under age boys that he allegedly raped and died with aids shortly afterwards. So let’s use the Bible to help and offer hope to others instead of being harsh on others who are weaker. Let’s not use the Bible to condemn what others are doing while we ourselves might have some skeletons in our closet

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 8 Thumb down 11
    • smh
      April 25, 2024

      So what exactly are you arguing for? Your anecdotal case here suggests that people who engage in this lifestyle are a danger to children. So by that example we should be doing everything to limit their “rights”, including maintaining public policy that the acts they engage in are IMMORAL and UNLAWFUL. We shouldn’t be giving them more “rights” so that they can get comfortable and start demanding even more.

      If you spent time in the US you should know how far they are reaching there now where even the government is not only upholding but blatantly promoting this sick lifestyle. We don’t want to reach to that level and with how these people work we will soon get there if we don’t pay attention.

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 4
  9. WOW
    April 24, 2024

    Well there you have it. Another corrupt and spineless religious leader. I’m waiting on the response from the rest of the DAEC or is he even part of that?

    “…The case was first brought before the court in 2022 by a gay man who sought to have two sections of the Sexual Offences Act (SOA) that criminalize consensual same-sex activities ruled unconstitutional. The case to end the criminalization of LGBT people in Dominica was supported by Minority Rights Dominica (MiRiDom) and the HIV Legal Network, working alongside the claimant who was not named because of risk to his safety, according to the claimants.”

    So let me get this straight – in a “democratic” country one person with the help of a small unpopular group manage to change laws that have governed morality in the country for decades? Who voted for this?

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 7
  10. The Old Prophet
    April 24, 2024

    Pastor Randy is a good man with a large heart but he needs to learn to pick his battles. As a believer myself I also believe homosexuality is wrong in God’s sight just as fornication, adultery, divorce and remarriage. But we must understand that God gave everyone the right to do whatever they want with their bodies and therefore the state has a right to protect the right of homosexuals too.
    As a church we’ve often use this judgement of Sodom and Gomorrah to condemn to justify our point. While it is true that according to the story of Genesis 19, Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because of homosexuality, we must also remember that God destroyed the entire earth in Genesis 6 and it was because of sexual immorality and homosexuality is not identified.
    As wrong as homosexuality is, homosexuals still need to be protected. We all read the story of how Cain killed Abel. But in as much as God punished Cain for killing Abel, God still protected his right Genesis 4:10-15. So let’s tone it…

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 6 Thumb down 7
    • Ok Ok we have to speak the Truth in love
      April 25, 2024

      Phrophet you are wrong. Our bodies should be temples of the Holy Spirit. Yes, we are given a free will to choose between our Maker and the one who wants us to accompany him to the place of torment.

  11. Fred
    April 24, 2024

    You are a dusty old relic of a bygone era.

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 14 Thumb down 20
    • Caroline
      April 24, 2024

      No he is not. My Bible says that God is the same yesterday today and forever. That’s called consistency.
      Since God hated it in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah, he still hates it now and he will continue to hate it in the future. . Men may love it more but God will always hate sin

      Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 7 Thumb down 6
      • Fred
        April 25, 2024

        Thankfully, the laws of the land are not based on your Bible but on fundamental human rights.

      • Love love Love to all
        April 25, 2024

        thumbs up – His word never changes. Only man changes and says this today and that tomorrow. God is consistent. God loves us, is patient, is graceful and merciful but sin is sin and God always hates sin.

        Prepare, prepare to meet our creator. There is no dusty relic of a bygone era in the Creator’s eyes.

        He created and got the whole world in his hands. No bygone era. Our Lord is slow to anger, and love but is also of wrath too and will judge righteously as he is in full control and knows our hearts and mind.

    • MEME
      April 25, 2024

      @Fred
      Many old relics are genuine and give good service. You don’t crucify the messenger, but rather you take in the message.

      Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 3 Thumb down 6
      • Fred
        April 25, 2024

        There are always exceptions to the rule.

  12. Zandoli
    April 24, 2024

    I am still trying to understand why people care about what other consenting adults do. If it does not affect you, why do you care?
    Dominicans commit sin every day and nobody seems to care.
    Adults men are habitually targeting young girls and I don’t hear this outcry. Men and women have been cheating on their spouses forever, but i don’t hear anyone going on the airwaves to condemn that behavior.
    you cannot be selective about which sin to allow. That is called hypocrisy.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 6
    • Fed up
      April 25, 2024

      Thank you!!! The act of selectively condemning one sin while overlooking others is the epitome of hypocrisy. In Dominican society, adultery, single parenthood, extramarital children, and the abuse of minors are all too often tolerated. Focusing on homosexuality as a primary concern is misguided when there are far more pressing issues to address.

    • get real
      April 25, 2024

      if you care about living in a society that upholds morality then yes you should care. It’s not about what they do in private. They have been doing that already despite it being illegal. The law sets a policy that this type of behavior is not socially acceptable so the people who engage in it need to hide away from the public so as not to influence impressionable people like children especially. Now these people will have free reign to promote their disgusting lifestyle, just like how they do in the US now where this stuff is EVERYWHERE to where you cannot avoid it.

      Also this sets a precedent that our laws and culture can be subverted by a few people. And these types of people never stop. Once they get one thing they move on to the next. Soon we will be talking about “gay marriage” and transgenderism.

      Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 6 Thumb down 3
    • Labour power
      April 25, 2024

      Who represented the gay people? None other than the famous UWP Attorney at law Cara Shillingford.

      Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 1 Thumb down 9
      • me
        April 25, 2024

        @Lin Clown.
        @Lin Clow
        @Lin Clown
        If you were not a fool and a clown, you would have known that a lawyer can represent any person or group he or she chooses too.
        Your embarrassing clown.
        Lin Clown
        Lin Clown
        Lin Clown
        The Clown!

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