Sean Major-Campbell | Obeah, guzu and the Church

THE GLEANER of Wednesday, September 24, carried the headline, ‘Church leaders stage march against obeah ahead of constitutional court challenge’. It is yet more evidence that it is always easier to appeal to the uninformed base when there is a lack of research or knowledge. Add to this the contempt for self and all things African.

The Gleaner noted, “Some church leaders on Wednesday staged a march in Spanish Town, St Catherine calling for Jamaica to uphold the law against obeah, saying the practice is wrong and goes against Jamaica’s Christian principles.” It is catch 22 for Church leaders. If they remain silent, they may hear that they are not being watchmen for God. If they support human rights and dignity, they will be accused of supporting obeah.

Many church folks, including pastors, are just not aware of the fact that sections of the 19th-century Obeah Act violate some rights and freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution, including freedom of religion, privacy, conscience, and expression. They are simply not informed.

Earlier this year, one Oshawn Grant was ridiculously, though legally, arrested on suspicion of practising obeah. Court records and media reports concerning his use of candles, burning of incense, and wearing of silver rings among other related paraphernalia, read like a joke when one considers that a private citizen in the privacy of his home was using items commonly used by many people.

Let me share a little secret here. I have and do use oil for anointing. I also have my own incense pot at home. I use candles. And yes, I burn incense. I also use holy water. I also use this stuff in other people’s homes. However, I have never had any fear of being arrested and charged for this. Am I to be exempt from the suspicion mentioned? (I have taken the risk of submitting picture evidence of my having suspicious material in my possession.)

The accused man upon being questioned revealed that he had problems sleeping at night. Hence his use of these common items. He also affirmed his belief that having done his ritual, he was fully “guzu”, a term noting that he was covered under the impact of his practice. Clearly a faith position consistent with his understanding of “African powers”.

It is unfortunate that descendants of the enslaved have chosen to disregard sensitivity for the despised traditions of the ancestors. Despised simply based on racism. Please note that when some Indian nationals in Jamaica openly place advertisements offering to influence luck and healing, and prosperity etcetera, they have never been arrested on suspicion of obeah. Why would such persons not be “reputed” to be practising obeah? And why would they not be “pretending to possess supernatural power” which would have rendered them “liable to imprisonment, with or without hard labour, for a period not exceeding six months” in accordance with the Obeah Act? Who decides whether obeah is a religious practice?

How can it be that church leaders would decry the very laws that protect their own beliefs and practice, while a lawyer seeks to represent protection of said pastors and all who would qualify for protection regarding freedom of religion.

Attorney-at-law, Bert Samuels, has been quoted by THE STAR newspaper. “It is my view that the Constitution of Jamaica is that there should be freedom of religion. I am protecting them, and they don’t even realise it,” Samuels told THE STAR. “Any attempt to criminalise any religious group is an offence to the Constitution.” But several church leaders are furious at the push to strike down the act, insisting that legalising the practice would unleash spiritual disaster on the country. They cite Haiti’s practising of voodoo as a reason for that nation’s series of troubles over the years.

Respecting other people’s right to their religious practices is not the same as agreeing with them. It was never the practice of the early Christians to seek to criminalise those with different practices. We have a duty to affirm the dignity of fellow human beings while protecting their right to choose their faith tradition.

People in church need to understand that protecting the right to belief and practice is not necessarily an agreement with any belief and practice. Protecting human rights and dignity should ensure remedy under the law for anyone doing any practice that is not breaching the rights and freedoms of others. Oshawn Grant only wanted to be fully guzu.

Then there is the unfortunate disregard for Haiti and voodoo. Many Christians have decided that obeah and voodoo are the epitome of evil. When Hurricane Matthew was headed to Jamaica and then turned to Haiti, many zealous Christians declared that it was because Jamaica is blessed while Haiti is cursed due to voodoo. Too many Christians lack awareness and enlightenment that “evil powers” as mentioned in our National Anthem is about political systems which often oppress people and prevent their flourishing.

The Constitutional challenge is a step in the right direction. The Act should be struck down. The rights and freedoms of every Jamaican should be respected and protected. This is yet another opportunity for those who may consider themselves unlikely to be accused or charged regarding obeah to support the rights and freedoms of those who so believe and practise.

Fr Sean Major-Campbell is an Anglican priest and advocate for human rights and dignity. Please send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and seanmajorcampbell@yahoo.com