Ingraham: Religion Being Exploited For Political Gain -
By Darrin Culmer -
Nassau, Bahamas:

The Free National Movement (FNM) squeezed in one final national event Saturday before taking a brief break from the campaign trail during Holy Week.

Addressing party members and supporters attending a prayer breakfast at the Radisson Cable Beach Resort, FNM leader Hubert Ingraham challenged the 41 FNM candidates to "always be of service, to do good and to strive always to be on God’s side."

He also blasted those persons whom he said exploit religion for impure motives.

"I want to say at this juncture and say it clearly that there are some in political life in our country who have taken the use of religion to bolster their politics," Mr. Ingraham said.

"They use religion as a means to an end, a prop to be taken up and put down as the wind blows. These same individuals seek to defame and denigrate others who do not behave as they do. For my part, I say a preacher I am not; politician I am. I do not pretend to be anything I am not. I am no hypocrite," he added to boisterous applause.

The event, which was organised to give thanks and pray for guidance, was attended by leaders of religion from all denominations and constituency representatives from throughout the country.

In his charge to the candidates, Mr. Ingraham warned of the many rigours that lie ahead as electioneering intensifies.

"Blessed are you when men shall revile you and hate you and say all manner of things against you falsely," he said, quoting The Beattitudes of Jesus.

"As we move into this campaign fellow FNMs and fellow Bahamians we will hear and we will see all manner of things. They will speak wickedly of you and of me as they have already begun to do. They will revile the good name of our party, but they will not prevail against us."

In his keynote address, pastor of Transfiguration Baptist Church Rev. Stephen Thompson called for an end to what he described as the "damaging" mindset of people depending upon elected officials for their survival.

"Integrity must be the watchword," he said.

"We are dealing with a more enlightened populace, a well informed people of whom many have travelled far and wide and know how leaders should deport themselves. All elected officials are servants of and accountable to the people. We elect you to do our business and when you fail to do our business we fire you."

Rev. Thompson also questioned the practice of elected officials being thanked for overseeing or performing public functions like the paving of roads and approval of national insurance benefits given that residents are required to pay taxes.

2nd April 2007