In our diverse society, we often have the opportunity to commemorate several days of significance almost simultaneously. Thus, on Friday last Trinidad and Tobago marked Spiritual Shouter Baptist Liberation Day – the anniversary of the repeal of the Shouter Baptist Prohibition Order – together with Good Friday, the day Christians observe the Crucifixion of Christ. The MSJ salutes the members of the Spiritual Shouter Baptist faith for their history of resistance to oppression; their fortitude and resilience which have resulted in that faith not just surviving but growing stronger.

The lessons of both the Crucifixion and the Prohibition of the Shouter Baptist faith are intertwined. Christ was both wrongfully prosecuted and persecuted – leading to the ultimate sacrifice of His being put to death on the cross – by the status quo, the elite of the day, both local (Jewish) and foreign (Romans). The Shouter Baptists were likewise wrongfully prosecuted and persecuted (with many being discriminated against and also going to jail for their beliefs) by the status quo, the elites both local and foreign (British colonial authorities).

Just as Easter represents the triumph of Jesus rising from the dead and living through the Holy Spirit in all Christians; Spiritual Shouter Baptist Liberation Day is testament to the enduring human desire for freedom and justice and liberation from oppression.

In Trinidad and Tobago today, faced as we are with so many challenges we would do well as a people to draw on these strengths which our various faiths have given us. We certainly need a Renewal – of Hope for a better life for all. We certainly need to have a Redeeming experience given the many betrayals of trust that we have suffered from our elites and those who benefit from and maintain the status quo. We definitely need to strengthen our Resistance to wrong doing and Resolve that we are prepared to take on the elites and the status quo in the struggle for justice.

Renewal of Hope; Resistance to wrong doing; Resolve to struggle for justice – our lessons of this weekend of religious observances.

Movement for Social Justice

David Abdulah

Political Leader