When we forget, we run the risk of reinventing the wheel. Jamaica in the 21st Century: Revisiting the 1st Decade is a challenge and a reminder, lest we forget what ground has been covered in Jamaica's social, political and religious life, particularly at the onset of the 21st century. Trawling through public discourse and debates in Jamaica, the book distills and surfaces the main issues that captured the attention of the public: gambling, homosexuality and human sexuality, education, crime, violence, the church and politics, to name a few. Many of the issues that preoccupy us at this time are issues that have been addressed before. It might be of use to familiarise ourselves with the earlier discussion. This book then is a sort of archaeological and socio-historical enterprise, designed to aid memory and, if possible, to help us see the progress we have made and avoid reinvention of the wheel.
Introduction Chapter 1-National Issues and Policies UWI Trends and Policy Needs The Terrorism Prevention Act 2003 A Sterile Budget Debate Why the Fascination with Gambling? The Church, Party Leadership and Unity Teachers Need Inspiration Whose Victory Is This? A Blow to Political Bigotry Ras Noah and the Hawk: Making Fun of God And There Shall Be Rain! Dawn Ritch and the Educated Class Independence and Development The Ethics of Funding Education Is Hanging the Answer to Crime? Education of Persons with Disability The Duppy Economic Policy Implications of Independence The Electoral Advisory Committee: Cosmetic Change? Crime and Divine Intervention Chapter 2-Regional and International Issues Religion on the Caribbean Agenda A Crisis in Human Sexuality The Death of Thousands: a Theological Problem The Church and Human Sexuality Long Live the IRA Sexual Relations, Rape and Civil Unions Economic Success and Religious Affiliation Apartheid is Dead, not its Children CWC: Priced Beyond the Ordinary Migrating to Ireland: Pull Factors and Limitations Chapter 3-Religion, Faith and the Church The Church's Influence on Emancipation Interfaith Relations The First Protestant Denomination in Jamaica Moravians in Wider Society The Bishop of Rome and the Anti-Popes Happy New Year my foot! In the Beginning, God A Female Primate to the Rescue? Religions and Economic Success Chapter 4-Letters to the Editor Comments on Religious Articles Early Role of the Moravians A Comment on C. Reynolds' Plea for "Sense" Re-interpreting Christian Tradition and History Moravian Position on Homosexuality Ganja Case Not Strong Enough Why the JLP is wary of the Social Partnership The Murder of Rev Dr RWM Cuthbert Reconsidering the Rights Law Postscript Jamaica's Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education, by Petal Thompson-Williams
