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Churches ‘animated’ over gay rights, silent on community initiatives– Damion C. Grange

Talking points co-host Damion C. Grange has slammed the church for what he illustrated as silence on community initiates, but suddenly becoming animated on issues related to LGBT rights in the territory. Photo: Facebook/File
Fourth District Representative Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4), 2nd from right, was a guest of Talking Points on May 22, 2023. Photo: Facebook
Fourth District Representative Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4), 2nd from right, was a guest of Talking Points on May 22, 2023. Photo: Facebook
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- Talking points co-host Damion C. Grange has slammed the church for what he illustrated as silence on community initiates, but suddenly becoming animated on issues related to LGBT rights in the territory.

Mr Grange made the comments during the Monday, May 22, 2023, edition of Talking Points while interviewing new legislator and 4th District Representative, Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4) on the conversation of more community initiatives for seniors in the district.

Mrs Smith said there is a need for transportation for seniors when it was noted that churches have buses that sit all week and can be put to use as a church initiative once a week.

“Talk about the issue of gay rights and the churches are animated but anytime it comes to community initiatives, them gone back inside the church,” Grange added. 

Same-sex marriage should not happen - Hon Hodge-Smith 

When questioned on the topic of LGBT marriage rights in the VI, Hon Luce-Smith said due to her upbringing she is of the view that same-sex marriage should not happen.

“However, if there is a referendum and the majority of the voters… they decide that it's ok then I have no problem with it,” she added.

Mrs Luce-Smith; however, questioned whether it was just the marriage or the partnership to have a legal union that would be the subject of the referendum.

“If it’s necessary for a referendum for whatever, you call it… if it's needed, but I think in this case you definitely need to get the majority’s decision on it,” she added.

No imposing same-sex marriages in VI - Hon Hodge-Smith 

Mrs Smith added that as in the case of other British OTs, there should be no imposition of same-sex laws in the VI but rather, as a democratic society, the people of the territory should have a say.

“If the majority say we are going to have same-sex marriage then we have no choice, but at least we went through the [process] and not that you impose it upon us because this is what you say should be done,” she added.

Meanwhile, Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said on May 2, 2023, a same-sex marriage referendum will most likely be held ahead of the pending legal case involving a same-sex married couple- both Virgin Islanders, who were married abroad and have mounted a case against Government to have their union legally recognised here in the VI.

“We want to do that, actually very soon…I think there’s a case which is slated for June, so we wanted to be able to have the referendum ahead of that. So that’s one thing of course that persons are going to be hearing about very soon,” he said.

29 Responses to “Churches ‘animated’ over gay rights, silent on community initiatives– Damion C. Grange”

  • ras (24/05/2023, 08:25) Like (33) Dislike (3) Reply
    fiya
    • check it out (24/05/2023, 16:55) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
      Watch those who CLAIM to be for God DEFEND homosexuality because they’re they friends/family INSTEAD OF CHOOSING TO PROMOTE GOD’S LAWS.

      Romans 12:2 shows that we live out God’s will when we change our thoughts to God’s thoughts, rather than living like the world dictates. The world will always pressure us to live sinfully and selfishly, but to live the good life God wants from us requires changing how we behave—by changing our thoughts.

      A life of righteousness does not look like a life of sin. Believers are admonished not to be shaped by the forces in the world, which has its own ideas of what is honorable and what is shameful – forces that are opposed to the righteousness of God.

      Rather, believers are admonished to be transformed by the renewing of your mind, to live a life that is transformed from the ways of the world to the ways of God. This is possible when our minds have been changed to think after the ways of God.
  • Sad (24/05/2023, 08:26) Like (60) Dislike (14) Reply
    Damion, what you are accusing the churches of is simply not true. They engage in many initiatives for the community. If you have an idea, share it with the church. That bus service for the elderly is a very good idea. Stop slamming the churches as a means to justify the legalization of gay marriage. It is an abomination. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood. Check your spirit at the door and let us pray. Better yet, LET'S HAVE CHURCH. This is what happens when the so call pastors turn out the young men with their nasty practices. This is not ok! Our society is ill.
    • hmm (24/05/2023, 16:04) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
      People does speak like being Gay is a Bigger sin than every other sin... It is not because Sin is Sin... So when a married man or woman commits adultery is it not the same sin? When people are about the place fornicating is it not sin? A thief steals a Man Lies come on people all are Forgivable
      • @LOL (25/05/2023, 11:38) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
        You are correct with everything you said but are we trying to legalize those sins? Ask yourself that question then answer yourself
    • okay (24/05/2023, 18:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Never did a wrestle Incest,fornication and adultery
  • resident (24/05/2023, 08:26) Like (40) Dislike (2) Reply
    people be mindful we give them this and they will ask for trans stuff next just like the states, they like a mouse with cheese, they will keep coming back for more
  • oooh la la (24/05/2023, 08:35) Like (27) Dislike (2) Reply
    Talking from experience not talking points
  • Hmm (24/05/2023, 08:44) Like (29) Dislike (2) Reply
    So it was really him on the Mika Barry show then …….. Interesting…
  • Gay (24/05/2023, 09:08) Like (69) Dislike (16) Reply
    Why are we giving this gay man a voice and he isn’t from here. Be careful who we allow to our shores. Go to your country and chat that piss see if they don’t smoke you out
  • Agreeable One (24/05/2023, 09:08) Like (34) Dislike (9) Reply
    FYI everything the church does is a community initiative dummy!!! When someone’s life is changed for the better the entire community benefits. Less wrong doing overall in every area of the community ( of course with exceptions).

    Listening to you it sounds like you have an agenda my boy! We are a Christian based country and we want it to remain so. Shalom.
  • hmm (24/05/2023, 09:10) Like (41) Dislike (5) Reply
    He definitely wants the rights to he openly fishy
  • The watchdog (24/05/2023, 09:28) Like (36) Dislike (9) Reply
    He knows why he sopports gay marriage
  • Styles. (24/05/2023, 09:41) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    Is he really saying churches are hypocritical?

    No surprise there really.
  • CHAMPION (24/05/2023, 09:47) Like (20) Dislike (5) Reply
    The gay folks now have a champion, one to champion their ungodly, unholy agenda and life style. Some suspected, some knew, now confirmed. You can almost always tell, the female in the union always have I feminine tendency I saw it some years ago.
  • no shame (24/05/2023, 11:49) Like (24) Dislike (1) Reply
    Damion get yuh taunty self out the country, real b0tty Boi deh bout
  • ISIS (24/05/2023, 11:57) Like (5) Dislike (23) Reply
    Why does people being gay trouble you?
    And if they get a few legal protections for their relationship from gay marriage, so what?
    How does it affect your life?
    Does it affect our lives more than our youth shooting each other and no one helping solve whodunit? Does it trouble you more than adults abusing children in every almost second home in the territory and if not why are you not calling fyyya down on those evil abusers that walk among us in fine church suits?
    People love each other. People lust, too. All of us do. Get over it and be big enough to deal with the fact that gayness is even older than the oldest profession (prostitution), that all over the world people have views different to what you were raised with and that does not make them wicked people or make you a better person.
    Find the real God and you will see humbleness, peace, tolerance and love, not this violent, hate-filled insecurity that comes from a lifetime of indoctrination, and in many cases from your own hidden desire.
    You all sound like the Isis gangs that glorify cutting off the heads of anyone who does not see the world the way they do. You and them have been filled with the same kind of evil.
    • @ISIS (24/05/2023, 14:04) Like (29) Dislike (1) Reply
      all them long story you going on with, we don't want it in the BVI, if you want rights go somewhere else with the rights and live.
  • @ ISIS (24/05/2023, 13:53) Like (39) Dislike (2) Reply
    What kind of evil makes a man lust after another man or a woman lust after another woman. Speak the truth shame the devil.
  • Loosemouth (24/05/2023, 14:19) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why are we fighting biblical prophecy? Did not the Bible say that in the last days "Evil men and seducers shall wax worst and worst? According to the scriptures man will be "lovers of themselves than of God" Did not the Bible say that " that the man will leave the natural use of the woman and the woman the natural use of the man and they will burn with lust towards each other" . Please fasten your seat belts of the scriptures are true things are going to get worst than same sex marriage.
    • @Loosemount (24/05/2023, 15:47) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
      The scriptures will take place but that doesn't mean that we can't tell the truth. Jesus is still saving people from sin.
  • Go swimming! (24/05/2023, 15:17) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Listen sir. Go take a swim you big grey white shark you.
  • Batty Boy (24/05/2023, 16:10) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Bun fyah on the batty boy nastiness
  • Interesting... (24/05/2023, 16:59) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I guess this is his first step to come out of the closet.
  • Lb (24/05/2023, 18:05) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Damion Grange animated and vocal and highly concerned about gay rights but very silent on everything else! I guess the pot calling the kettle black!
  • THINK! (24/05/2023, 22:36) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Should have heard Pastor Calvin Mills, Baugers Bay on Sunday morning at the 7 am service. He hit the nail on the head several times. May still be available on Facebook
  • Uncle (24/05/2023, 22:54) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply

    This a****an from JA all of a sudden have a voice on the news everyday. Boy hush . There are sooo many issues the Government not dealing with. Let The VI people Ears rest from yo bull s***, trying to be relevant, this girl from UMI got u aun**** a@@ have a voice in our we we I. Stop please. Timeout.

  • Disinterested (25/05/2023, 08:56) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ah yu lawd! Look thing. Newbie, wet behind ears politician trying to dictate to the church how to use its resources. Let the church do what it does and government do what it does. The two shall not mix. If church bus sits all week that is its business. Government needs to stop using the private sector to fund governmental services. For example, the long delay in paying contractors for goods and service provided is using contractors to fund government operations. This delay in paying contractors drives the cost up. The HoA needs to pass prompt payment act which should include interest for long payment delays. Government role is to deliver services to the community, including aging and elderly services. As such, government should be providing transportation services for the elderly, either directly or by outsourcing. You all stop leaning on crutches and do your wuk. During the campaign all yu promise to do all kinds of things. Was that just overpromising and underdelivering talk? Bamboozling the people and hope they, most of them , forget by next election? Here is a news flash. We nah forget and will holding white heat to ah yu foot dem.

    Moreover, in regards to same sex marriage, it is an abomination and an unnatural thing. Same sex cannot procreate. They want to engage in same sex but want to adopt chiren. Pure confusion and abuse. I wonder how the chiren get here? Surely not by same sex. The VI, not BVI, has a number of democratic deficits and imposing same sex marriage on the VI without the agreement from the people will be anti-democratic and another democratic deficit added to the list. Dr. Hon Premier Natalio Wheatley, let’s get this referendum moving . You have proclaimed this happening months ago so you should have had it fleshedout and ready to go. Or this was just another campaign promise? Let’s geh ah dun. Government must be effective and nimble. A good decision is better than waiting an eternity for a perfect decision. Let’s not conduct this thing by analysis into paralysis. If a committee is formed to analyzed then I know the whole thing was just talk.
  • BOTTY BWOY!!!! (25/05/2023, 11:50) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    We don't want to hear about this nasty sex culture or the alphabet community. We don't want to legalize that sinful lifestyle. We are asked to love the people but not that lifestyle. You are hoping that we will be like Lot in Soddom who live in that type society without saying a word but but we won't. Fire for that community and lifestyle in Jesus name!!


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