Imagine Bermuda

There’s a reason why I’m a writer and not a politician. I’m much more comfortable debating ideas online than I am discussing them with a room full of strangers. So it was with mounting panic that I realised that the meeting of Imagine Bermuda 2009, which I attended in St. George’s earlier this week, was going to involve audience participation.

The initiative’s aim is to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the settling of Bermuda and the 50th anniversary of the Theatre Boycott by encouraging Bermudians to come up with ideas for improving their local communities and by extension, that of Bermuda as a whole. The project is just one of a number of Imagine initiatives that have run worldwide, starting with the Imagine Chicago project back in 1992. Thursday night’s meeting was the first of many that are planned to take place across the Island over the coming months and years.

For what is presumably intended to be a secular initiative, the evening got off to a bad start when committee member Glenn Fubler invited the Reverend Erskine Simmons to open with a prayer. As a committed agnostic I feel extremely uncomfortable when religion is dragged into public events unnecessarily, though unfortunately this seems to be all too common in Bermuda (the public education system is saturated with it). I wonder if the individuals who feel the need to flaunt their faith so publicly have actually read that part of the Bible (Matthew chapter 6, verses 5-6) which says “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites! They love to stand up and pray in the houses of worship and on the street corners, so that everyone will see them… But when you pray, go to your room, close the door…”. I guess not.

There were around 30 people present, including mayor Michael Jones, town crier David Frith and town manager Lance Furbert. It soon emerged that the purpose of the evening was to initiate a dialogue on how to improve life in St. George’s. Facilitator Janet Ferguson passed around a set of handouts containing four questions to provide some structure to the discussion; first we answered the questions on our own, next we discussed our responses in pairs, then finally the pairs came together in larger groups to summarise the suggestions and present them to the whole audience. It was like being back at school. We were encouraged to focus only on the positive, listen to each other respectfully and engage our imaginations.

Initially, I was disappointed by this emphasis on the local: I had been expecting to consider the bigger picture. But as the evening wore on I began to realise the merit in this approach. The purpose of the Imagine Bermuda meetings is to get local residents excited about improving their own neighbourhood. It’s about motivating people to change the things they can, about making a thousand small improvements to improve the quality of life rather than trying to solve one or two big problems Island-wide.

There was certainly no shortage of ideas about how to improve St. George's. Introducing a ferry service to Hamilton was a recurring suggestion, as was reopening the old Club Med hotel and pedestrianising the Town Square. People suggested creating a youth centre, running a treasure hunt for children, having more al fresco dining and adding planters to make the town greener.

If Imagine Bermuda can inspire enough people to campaign for change, the Island stands to benefit enormously. But the group’s organisers would do well to leave their faith at the door.

Comments

[Smiffy on 25.09.04 at 18:08]

As a St. George's resident, I'm sorry I missed the meeting. I feel this type of gathering is the way forward and I applaud the organisers. I do however disagree with your comment's regarding people's "faith". What you as a non Bermudian (same as me - another limey spouse of Bermudian) have to remember/respect is that, like it or not, religion plays a major role in the lives of many people here (witness recent 7,000 attendance at Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir/Cornerstone Bible fellowship gathering at National Stadium). I feel it is you that needs to bite your lip and leave your ideas/beliefs at the door. Did having to sit through a prayer harm you in any way? Did it distract you from the purpose of the meeting? I do enjoy the majority of your postings and think this is a great forum for debate, but I found your comment's regarding people's faith very self centered.

[Graeme Outerbridge on 25.09.04 at 18:30]

God told me that there should be no more praying at Public Meetings and he told me HE MEANS IT THIS TIME---"Knock it off with the request line, I'm taking some time off!" Amen God

[The Limey on 25.09.04 at 18:41]

I'm not disputing the rights of others to hold their religious beliefs. I understand that Bermuda is an extremely religious place. But did the prayer distract from the purpose of the meeting? Yes, it was superfluous. Did it harm me? Well, no, but it did make me feel uncomfortable.

The aim of the initiative is to harness the enthusiasm of as many Islanders as possible, regardless of religious beliefs, for a goal which is not religious in nature. As such, I think it's simply counterproductive for them to do anything that might drive the less religious members of the community away.

[Graeme Outerbridge on 26.09.04 at 09:21]

No Phil Bermuda is not a very religous place..I think it is rather a very hypocritcal place. The only true church I know of on island is Horseshoe Bay early in the morning or at dusk. The only sermon on the beach is the kiss of the breeze.

[ace on 26.09.04 at 10:20]

I couldn't agree more with Graeme.

You can see affirmation of the piety of many Bermudians on their shiney new cars or by the fact that their workspaces are covered in religious material.

My understanding is that pride is one of the seven deadly sins and that it is a sin against the virtue of humility. Yet these hypocrites display their pride in shockingly blantant ways.

One such person used to work in our office. She is a very nice and very generous person, but she felt no compunction against purchasing two illegal cable boxes and justifing her act of theft by stating that Cablevision is stealing the signal so why shouldn't she?

This island's churches are full of people who view homosexuality as a sin against God, yet they have no problem having a government cabinet full of gay politcians. My personal opinion is that it doesn't make an "iota" of a difference whether someone is gay or not, but the hypocracy the bible thumpers engage in is...well...sinful.

Frankly most of the large churches on this island are little more than cults. Many insist on taking a percentage of their congregations earnings and have accumulated vast amounts of assets. Their "leaders" wear $1,500 suits and sport gold rolexes, all paid for by the relatively poor of this island.

I find it sickening.

[jake on 26.09.04 at 11:07]

Phil, Bermuda is different in this respect to England and perhaps the US. People still feel free to place worship at the forefront of many initiatives. That is a choice, like the choice you suggest to avoid religious references, so as to make agnostics more comfortable. Somehow I wonder if you would be so affonted if we were in India, or China, or Ghana and a tribal custom were being invoked. I suspect you would simply patiently allow the participants to conduct their ceremony, and then commence the business at hand. Perhaps you can allow us the same courtesy.

[Bermudian teacher on 26.09.04 at 12:08]

Well, I'm Bermudian and it drives me nuts that everything has to begin and often end with a prayer. In particular at school where there are prayers every five minutes. Beginning of the day... before lunch... and at the end of the day. Prayer is inflicted too frequently. Fine to say something along the lines of 'take a moment to gather your thoughts' which would allow people to privately express their own religious thoughts, but when you are not Christian, Christian prayer only makes you feel alienated it does not bring the whole group together.

[J Galt on 26.09.04 at 12:45]

Phil,

I think you got it wrong this time, I have to agree with Jake, if people want to pray at public meetings more power to them. We should respect people’s beliefs regardless of our own.

Please everyone bow your heads and join me in asking Jesus/Snuffy or which ever imaginary friend in the sky you prefer to forgive Phil for using common sense, and logic in the face of ignorance and superstition.

Oh Mighty Yellow Bird that’s big, you who gave your only begotten friend, Snuffy, that he, who ever believes in him, shall not perish in a fiery lake of brimstone and fire, but will go to heavenly street, where sunny days chase the clouds away, yes we who believe are on our way, to where the air is clean, tell us Snuffy, can you tell us Snuffy how do we get to heavenly street. Mansions SUVs and streets of gold for all.

Amen

I’ll see all the believes there, Phil it’s not to late give me 10% of your income and you to can get your place, (throw in a extra 2% you’ll get waterviews) money back guarantee.

[jake on 26.09.04 at 13:09]

It is clear from your comments that you spend little time with the people you judge so quickly. Sometimes I feel like we are so apart, your community and mine. Why should that be, when we all want safe homes, good jobs and the best for our children. But in all sincereity, I find it hard to understand why so many people on this blog ridicule everything that others hold sacred.

Can I ask a question. Is that your view(s) on all the belief systems in the world, or just us little folks in Bermuda?

[J Galt on 26.09.04 at 16:23]

Hi Jake,

If your question is directed at me than I would say all belief systems in the world, based on the occult, emotion or supernatural.

I am a man of science.

[far left on 27.09.04 at 06:40]

I had decided to sit this one out but as fate would have it, a 'little voice' told me to jump into the fray. You guy have to agree that the respect shown to an 'imaginary' God will automatically expand to include respect for self, and fellow mankind. Are most Christians perfect...NO but they do set standards according to the Biblical writings, and we just won't commit some of the crimes that others have no inhibitions about. We are not talking about illegal cable boxes, failing to declare all purchases to HMS Customs, or insisting that you didn't run that stop-sign. Most sins of the average christian and nothing compared to the crimes against humanity commited by non-christians. Just ask any permenant West Gate resident

[The Limey on 27.09.04 at 08:09]

The problem with the Biblical writings is that they can be interpreted in many different ways. Some people believe the Bible says homosexuality is sinful, some believe it says it's OK. Some believe that it allows for the ordination of women priests, some believe that it does not. Rather than setting standards for Christians, the Bible is more frequently used to justify what people already think.

That said, unlike Galt I respect an individual's right to hold whatever belief system they choose. I simply don't understand the need for those beliefs to be brought into a secular initiative. I'm not complaining (much) about being made uncomfortable for a couple of minutes. But anyone who is made to feel that way has to either put up with their discomfort or leave. To knowingly cause discomfort to others doesn't seem a very Christian thing to do. But if it causes enough people to leave (or not turn up to the meeting in the first place), then it's undermining the success of the initiative. The latter is what I really have a problem with.

If this were a secular initiative in India, China or Ghana and tribal beliefs were brought into it, I'd have a problem with that for the same reason.

[jake on 27.09.04 at 08:40]

To knowingly cause discomfort?

My very presence can cause others to feel unease depending on their particular school of thought. To make them feel better should I cease to exist? There has to be a line drawn whereby people are free to be themselves, and those who are not the same must be willing to accept the difference and move on. The prayer does not hurt you Phil. Forcing those who want to pray, to refrain from doing so restricts their freedom and is wrong. It is your definition that makes the meeting secular. For many, every action is an outpouring of their spiritual lives.

[ace on 27.09.04 at 09:08]

Far left:

You blame non-Christians for all crimes against humanity?

Take the plank out of your own eye before you attempt to pull the sliver out of someone else's.

Ever heard of the Holy Inquisition, the crusades, the wholesale slaughter of indiginous Caribbean indians in the name of God and Christianity?

Two things have caused the most blood to be spilled in human history, religion and nationalism.

[gimme a break on 27.09.04 at 09:09]

Ah, how quickly we return to race, even during a discussion about God!

So I guess Jake wouldn't have a problem with J Galt or Sal opening a public meeting with their particular schools of thought.

Would you be willing to accept that difference in thought or is that somehow different?

Can't this board discuss issues without someone always trying to direct it into a race issue?

[Xando on 27.09.04 at 09:18]

Funny how this blog likes to go off on long winded tangents about race and religion...oh yeah, I forget, there are a lot of lawyers here :)

I wish we could stay focussed on practical topics such as the PLP's intent to 1) push independence and 2) institute income tax.

[The Limey on 27.09.04 at 09:19]

Jake - It's not just me who thought Imagine Bermuda was supposed to be a non-denominational initiative. Louise Jackson last week praised it for "encouraging all of our people, regardless of race, religious or political beliefs to honour our shared history and building toward a better future".

I agree that the organisers can bring their faith in to it if they choose. I'm simply pointing out that this may lose the initiative some community support.

[far left on 27.09.04 at 09:47]

Well ACE certainly has a point. True Christianity
has been misrepresented and misused by many throughout history, for everything from greed and personal gain, to justify slavery, to advocate the murder of homosexuals, and the list goes on. I'm sure ACE will agree that to call onself a christian alone doesn't necessarily make it so. Tarik Azziz (IRAQ Foreign Affairs Minister) proudly labled himself a christian, yet he willing and I'll add proudly serve under Saddam.

[J Galt on 27.09.04 at 09:59]

"unlike Galt I respect an individual's right to hold whatever belief system they choose"

Your belief system is fine until you force it on me, be it praying at the imagine meeting or pulling the pin on your explosive vest.

I don’t recall you respecting Nancy Acton’s beliefs. But that is a dead horse lets not flog it. But going forward I will hold you to that, one more time for clarity’s sake

Phil respects an individual's right to hold whatever belief system they choose.

Got it, so we are on the same side.

[ace on 27.09.04 at 10:11]

Far Left,

Thanks.

Interestingly enough I had a long conversation with a staunch Catholic recently who is from Peru. She is bringing up her children as staunch Catholics also.

I asked her why, as a native Peruvian, she was a Catholic. She answered that it was because she was brought up that way, to which I pointed out that there is a VERY good reason why her ancestors practiced Catholicism. It is because the Spanish forced her ancestors to convert at the pointed end of a sword.

She didn't like that at all, but it is fact that she could not dispuite. I guess it kind of takes the edge off one's belief that their religion is the RIGHT religion.

(I posted this as merely an anecdote, sorry for being off topic)

[Tiger Bay on 27.09.04 at 10:28]

This blog is symptomatic of Bermuda's approach to so many things -- rather than focus on achievable tasks or correcting real problems in our society, the discussion immediately goes off into navel gazing about race and religion!

[Graeme Outerbridge on 27.09.04 at 11:19]

Heah Tiger you sound like your on a hunt for results. Nobody has a corner on the God Business--I think belief systems are up to individual search and reflections---Public meetings do not need to start with a Christian prayer anymore than it does with a Muslim chant. The meeting should be brought to order with the aims of the 400 year celebration of Bermuda. Religion is a personal matter not a public directive.

[J Galt on 27.09.04 at 12:14]

Tiger,

What did you hope to achive with your last post?

[The Limey on 27.09.04 at 14:08]

Tiger Bay/Xando - I'm surprised that you'd characterise a discussion on race or religion as "navel gazing" or tangential.

Race is an issue that underlies many of Bermuda's problems and while it may have nothing to do with this thread, Jake's use of it as a simile was entirely legitimate (though I disagree with him).

Religion has less of a bearing on Bermuda's problems, but is relevant to the Imagine Bermuda project. As an initiative that has a "focus on achieveable tasks" to improve our society, I would have thought you would have supported it.

We can't spend all our time knocking the PLP, you know.

[Graeme Outerbridge on 27.09.04 at 14:11]

Well Galt...Mr. Tiger or Mr. Parker as he is known in India is presently exploring Mexico after a very difficult crossing of the Pacific Ocean in a life boat. Habitat issues are wearing heavy on his heart and he no longer wants to deal with petty little issues. All the time on the lifeboat on an enforced diet of fish and long nights gazing at stars has made Mr. Parker to reflect on the source of his symetry and stripes...this was followed up by a reading of the Republic by Plato and working out algebra to explain first cause. One thing for sure Mr. Parker is turning his back on civilization and moving deeper into the Mexican jungle....He was last seen by a farmer with a copy of Kalfka's best musings. Remember Mr. Parker always calls from your back on your blind side with teeth to your jugular.

[Tiger Bay on 27.09.04 at 14:19]

Exactly!

[Tiger Bay on 27.09.04 at 14:41]

My post is a growl of impatience with the immediate veering of discussion into intangibles. Certainly, race and religion are important aspects of Bermudian society. However, there are few venues in Bermuda to directly and maturely discuss the events that are shaping our real daily existence. Our politicians won’t do it. Our media don’t do it. They act like ADD children.

This blog, at times, provides a productive outlet. Discussion on events in Bermuda can help us actively improve the future of this island. It will take generations of discussion on race and religion to accomplish the same. I guess I want to tackle "the doable things" first.

I am not here just to howl at the PLP (that's a bonus). I am interested by the insight provided by others from elsewhere on the political spectrum (and in the case of J Galt, elsewhere in the universe).

[far left on 27.09.04 at 14:45]

I think that a lot of folks just don't realize how cosmopolitian, mixed, multi-cultural this little rock has become. We have a church building on every intersection, but most are half full on Sunday. Surely, the inclusion of religion in secular matters will always cause problems as history has proven.

[J Galt on 27.09.04 at 16:45]

Graeme,
I'm not sure I followed your post at all, are you saying he really is a tiger, or a canablistic french cook? And your talk of him attacking from behind, is that a dig at homosexuals? I'm lost and for the life of pi... uh I mean me, I don't think I'm going to figure it out with out your help.

Tiger Tiger burning bright, I would be interested in some of the things you think are doable.

[Graeme Outerbridge on 27.09.04 at 18:03]

No reference to sexual preference on behalf of the tiger. My word play was as you picked up on --The Life of Pi- and the incredible story of survival--When I was in Northern Thailand I was told the story of a man eating tiger and how he was eventually killed by an excentric Irishman that waited with a knife in a grassy clearing with a trunk of a tree to protect his back...sure enough the tiger stalked the Irishman from behind and he just turned in time as the tiger came around the tree at him....he managed to kill the tiger which was old and infirmed and hence hitting the occasional villager for prey....so in around about way I'm saying be careful about tigers yes they are beautiful but they are also dangerous...I should know I was born in the year of the tiger and the only thing I have to be on the guard against are dragons.

[jake on 27.09.04 at 21:17]

Thank you for that, Phil.

It was not my intention to bring race into the resulting discussion on religion, and I can admit that I clearly did. The parallel just seemed too obvious, but in retrospect it was not the best analogy.

[Graeme Outerbridge on 27.09.04 at 21:37]

Heah Jake did'nt you hear..Tyler Butterfield won the race up at Dockyard...GO BERMUDA!!!^..^