Jovan Johnson, Gleaner Writer







Head of the Jamaica Theological Seminary, Dr Garnett Roper says the local Christian church needs to accept that the Jamaican society is secular, with competing points of view.







Roper was speaking in relation to several marches staged by various denominations recently to protest court challenges by gay rights activists questioning the constitutionality of the buggery law.







Roper says the Church is just a section of society and Christians must recognise this and accept that citizens have beliefs that do not conform with theirs.







He also says in a society governed by the rule of law, one group cannot foist its belief on others without regard for the human rights to which citizens are entitled.







Roper says there are also public health implications that must be given consideration.







Roper says while it is unfortunate that the local homosexual agenda may be sponsored, there are other issues affecting the Jamaican society that need attention.







He points to social inequality, violence and sociopathy which he says require careful and studied response.







He says the knee jerk reactions from sections of the Church to get media attention are not useful in addressing the various challenges.







Gay rights activist, Javed Jaghai, is seeking to challenge the buggery law on the basis that it breaches rights guaranteed under the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms which he contends confers the right to privacy.







The Supreme Court has set a hearing for October 4.







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