In defence of the YMCA on Sex Education

Dear Editor: Many have questioned the “Christian” values of certain members of the YMCA and the organisation itself in supporting sexual education, that included information on abstinence and sensitisation to protective material ie condoms, over the past few weeks. I am reminded of the life of the man many hold in the highest esteem as a man who lived in “the spirit” and was not one for outdated tradition, ole talk and who was wary of those who called themselves leaders, priests and educators. I recall a story of this said man chastising religious scholars of the time for constantly referring to the Torah (Old Testament), questioning their motives for reading and adhering to traditions from the “book of dead men” as opposed to living in “the spirit” and embracing the “book of life” which would be life in and of itself within that context. This very man was a renegade in his time who was at peace searching for and expounding truths and comforting the less fortunate and ignorant around him. He had little time for self-righteousness and folly but was a man of action. If you want to know the fruit, you must first know the root.  Knowledge is power and power is freedom.

Gregory Sloane-Seale
National Youth Outreach Director — YMCA of Trinidad & Tobago
Executive Member — T&T Coalition on the Rights of the Child (TTCRC)