Lessons learned

The repugnant law stated, “It shall be an offence for any person to hold or to take part in or to attend any Shouters’ meeting or for any Shouters’ meeting to be held in any part of the colony indoors or in the open air at any time of the day or night.” The ordinance was repealed by way of another ordinance passed on March 30, 1951, and today’s holiday marks that fact.

It is important to look back at history to understand where we have come from. What are some of the lessons that society as a whole has learned from the Shouter Baptist experience? The origins of the Spiritual Shouter Baptist religion are not well known but the consensus is that it came about during the 19th century. With animus against the religion being officially sanctioned by the State, it is easy to see why many aspects of it became clandestine.

While the religion can be found in various forms throughout the Caribbean, the name Spiritual Shouter Baptist is indigenous to Trinidad and Tobago.

It is unique, comprising elements of Protestant Christianity and African doctrines and rituals.

It is also one of the few religions indigenous to this country.

Therefore the ability of citizens to practise this religion freely has always been bound with our ability to be independent, to acknowledge and cherish what is ours and to take pride in our own unique ways of approaching life, even if we, too, comply with universal standards and values.

The repeal of the prohibition in 1951 was not only a victory for a group of people of a certain faith. It was a victory for all of us.

It sent a signal that we live in a society that values human rights and fundamental freedoms. Particularly, the freedom of religion.

In a way, the repeal was a precursor to the insertion of the values of our current Constitution which enshrines “freedom of conscience, religious belief and observance;” “freedom of thought and expression;” and “freedom of association and assembly.” The State had cited concerns about security to justify its excesses.

The prohibition had allowed police officers to enter premises without warrants at any time as long as they had “good ground to believe or suspect” a Baptist meeting was going on, or recruitment was happening.

It is not fashionable in some quarters to remember it, but it was the important figure of Albert Gomes who is credited with introducing legislation that put an end to the persecution of the Shouter Baptists in this country.

That contribution, alongside the efforts of people like Tubal Uriah “Buzz” Butler, must not today be forgotten, even if as a society we have failed to adequately memorialise it.

Gomes’ contribution is a reminder of another lesson: this is a country of wondrous diversity.

That diversity sometimes leads to tensions when groups ignore the humanity of their fellow citizens. But generally, we overcome.

Reform of the law in relation to Shouter Baptists also teaches another lesson. Eventually all unjust laws must be abolished.

Today as a society there is need for us to reconsider the law as it relates to the practice of child marriage, the death penalty, and the rights of LGBTI people — be it in the Sexual Offences Act or the Equal Opportunity Act.

Ironically, those who support child marriage cite freedom of religion, even though religions have long gone away from the practice and even though we now know enough scientifically to override the premises on which religions have operated.

We should learn the main lessons that we today commemorate: times change and we must all, eventually, be just.