By Claude Mills, Staff ReporterTHEY CAME.
Some were searching for meaning, some to make personal statements, others with axes to grind and yet others to challenge the common stereotype in Jamaica: the Jamaican male as deadbeat, womaniser, and irresponsible but loveable lout.
What is clear is it was a landmark day for the male community as the 'Men on a Mission' seminar drew hundreds of men from all socio-economic classes to the 'Church on the Rock', Cassava Piece, St. Andrew, to acknowledge that they share a sense of responsibility for the plague of despair that exists in much of the local community.
There were quite a few engaging discussions but it was Martin Schade, former Jesuit, who ruffled the masculine feathers of the audience with his presentation on 'The sexual maturity (formation) of male clergy' during which he quoted from the American Psychologists Association's findings about the nature and origin of homosexuality.
Reverend Aaron Dumas, who pens the 'Dear Pastor' columns in the STAR, seem particularly rankled by Schade's assertion that homosexuality was not an anomaly or a disease, but had a genetic origin.
"You must be crazy!" he muttered under his breath, and hissed his teeth loudly, clearly agitated.
The voice of dissent from other men in the audience rose to a steady rumble.
Dr. Las Newman, church historian, and Regional Secretary of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES), spoke about the feminisation of Christianity and its implications for men in the church. Still, he pointed to glimmers of hope for the leadership role of men in the church.
"I find it ironic that in a culture of feminised Christianity, men still run things, patriarchy still rules... we are still at the head of the church. Women still expect us to be lead," he said.
A number of the presenters also addressed the 'de-facto' glass ceiling that bars men from advancing to the other stage of their lives - becoming productive members of society.
It was somewhat ironic that the theme music for the seminar was from the 'Mission Impossible' TV series to signal to presenters who had overshot their appointed times. The theme music was invoked on several occasions to good effect, except during the firebrand address delivered by Apostle Carlisle John Peterson on 'Responding to the Homosexual Agenda', who was allowed additional time to complete his presentation.
Apostle Peterson, in the local parlance, 'blazed a fire' on what he called a 'militant homosexual assault against the image of God within man' after reading excerpts of a so-called 'Homosexual Manifesto' downloaded from the Net.
"This is war!" he declared. "There is a strong demonic force intent on displacing males in the society, we must rise up, and affirm ourselves as men. It is our responsibility. We need to hit the ground and have a moment of prayer to catch a fire all across the nation. You cannot legislate against demonic power."
Apostle Peterson upbraided the former Jesuit Schade for having 'put down the Bible and quoting from the American Psychologists Association'.
"Don't let the devil fool you, you cannot be born that way. These men are struggling under a demonic influence," he said to hoots of approval, and a few 'gun salutes' from elated males.
"Homosexuality is not just a little sympathetic curse. It is a serious evil, wickedness is at its core, and it is Satan at his brightest," Apostle Peterson intoned.
During his engaging presentation, the air was pregnant with the promise of tremendous change, and Apostle Peterson received a thunderous standing ovation from the audience at the end.
Representatives from the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-sexuals and Gays (JFLAG) Johann White and Mark Clifford were clearly not impressed though. They accused Apostle Peterson of reducing the discussion of homosexuality to "a vague argument about demon possession".
"I challenge him to provide instances where he has cast out demons out of homosexuals," Mr. White, a corn-rowed effete young male, told a reporter.
Clifford said he had had a close relationship with God but did not attend church because of its condemnation of homosexuality.
"I think that he missed the point, and why was he given an extra 10 minutes to speak when everyone else was cut short?" he asked.
Before lunch, Emmette Gayle, a female guidance counsellor of Dunoon Technical High school, was prevented from asking a question by organisers because it was a male-only seminar. She was not angered by the decision, but said that "I was invited by mistake I think, but I am glad I came, I have learned a lot which will help me to reach my male students'.
A number of young men like teachers Kevin Gordon, and Dwight Steadford promised to take the idea into their classrooms and communities, to have all-male bull sessions to discuss 'male-centric' problems and issues.
"I see myself as a leader, that's why I am here, I want to find a way to mentor and help young boys to become better men," Mr. Gordon said.
