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An Investigation of HowChristianity Impacts theLives of Individuals in
the Community of Somerton
Name of Candidate: Amelia Reid
School: Herbert Morrison Technical High
Subject: Sociology
Centre No. : 100047
Candidate No:
Teacher’s Name: Mrs. Reid - Williams
Date: 2013
Table of Content
Title Page
Introduction 3
Statement of Problem 4
Aims and Objectives 5
Literature Review 6
Research Design 8
Sample 10
Data Collection Instrument1 16
Presentation of Data 17
Analysis of Data 26
Findings, discussion of FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION 29
1 Table of ContentsPage | 2
Name of Candidate: Amelia Reid
School: Herbert Morrison Technical High
Subject: Sociology
Centre No. : 100047
Candidate No:
Teacher’s Name: Mrs. Reid - Williams
Date: 2013
Bibliography 33
IntroductionStudy has shown that Religion is one of the most prominent
institutions across the globe, where Christianity most dominant
religious practice within the Caribbean.
According to the New Steps in Religious Education, Caribbean Book 1,
Christianity embodies various denominations and has been one of the
main aspects of positive influence among children, and adults in the
Caribbean, as persons benefit moral, spiritually, socially and
physically from and religious teachings in churches. Members are
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also expected to make positive contributions and abide by the codes
enforced by the church.
The districts of York land and Industry, in Somerton community,
runs approximately eleven miles from the capital city Montego Bay
and prospers with numerous Christian believers of different
denominations. For many years the churches have contributed to the
community in more ways than one, this involving discipline moral and
societal conduct. Thus the reason for my choice in topic as an
effective accumulation of data is at hand as well as intelligence on
the significance of religion to society.
Statement of Problem
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By what means does Christianity positively impact the lives of
individuals in the community of Somerton?
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Aims and
Objectives
To determine the importance of Christianity in society in
contrast to the community of Somerton.
To disclose the functions of Christianity in society in
comparison to the community of Somerton.
To determine the effects of Christianity from varying
denominations on society as opposed to the community of
Somerton.
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2 Literature ReviewsAccording to Emile Durkheim, the secret of societal cohesion was
by socializing, a collective science was internalised by
individuals to the extent where “Society becomes present in individuals.”
He stated that religion emphasises the importance of society and
social obligations and promotes social unity and consensus,
because of the need for reproductions and its elevation by
religion into a sacrament of marriage.
Similarly, Christianity greatly influences the behavioural
conduct of both believers and citizens surrounded by the
religion. The example is best illustrated in the archives of
Jamaican history, where Jamaica’s first encounter with
Christianity was by the conditions of the Spanish Colonisers who
introduced the repartimiento and Encomienda systems for social
for social order.
2 File//: The Real Crisis in Jamaican Christianity November 3,2011
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Since November 4, 2011, Celebrity personality, Ian Boyne has
consecrated a portion of his Focus Column on the perceived “Demise
of Christianity” as with the decrease of supreme world powers, it is
believed that Christianity will regain its former distinction as
the world’s greatest unity mark among humanity. According to
Boyne, Christianity has resisted society’s tests and continues to
persist as a societal instigator for approximately 2000 years.
A published census for 2001, centralized around Jamaican
churches, also showed Christian development, as interests in
Christianity have remained high for long periods with
approximately 200,000,000 Jamaicans expressing connections with
the church. Membership increased in Protestant churches with the
largest numbers among Seventh – Day Adventists.
Reverend Ernle Gordon, informed The Jamaica Observer, in a letter
to the editor about the educational contributions that Christians
have made in society.”
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3“I was informed that Pentecostal churches have students attending Jamaica School of
Music and are producing the most qualified musical conductors in Jamaica.”
Gordon continued to say churches are perseverant in uncovering
the musical reservoir in society.
“I learned that Pentecostals have dance groups which have become a revolutionary
trend.”
He told the newspapers.
Likewise, a majority of the churches in Somerton enforced
disciplinary conduct, by contributing social and artistic groups
which constitute good moral behaviour, social order and change in
society.
3 File//: The Real Crisis in Jamaican Christianity November 3,2011
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4 Research DesignThe researcher conducted an investigation on the effects of
Christianity in the Jamaican society, and how the religion has
escalated and impacted the lives of individuals over the years.
Questionnaires were distributed to citizens in Somerton and
information extracted from internet websites to justify the
positive functions and effects of Christianity in the Jamaican
society, compared to the study area. Browsers such as Studymode,
Google and Answers.com were used.
Industry and York land district were visited, both comprised of
approximately 300 households. Approximately 200 of the houses had
extended families; meaning more than one questionnaire could be
distributed to each house. At least 25% of both districts were
required to complete the investigation. (25% of 200= 50)
4 http:// jamaicaobserver.com/columns/Christianity-s-immortality_12974978#
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50 questionnaires were distributed to 20 houses and five each to
a Pentecostal and Adventist church.
Citizens often refused to answer the surveys and wanted to know
the basis of the investigation. Also survey repossession was
problematic as persons refused to respond unless given additional
time. Questionnaires were left overnight with citizens and the
researcher had to wait for days before recollecting.
Name: Amelia Reid
Address: Somerton, St. James.
Contact: 481 – 5254
Reason for instrument: The researcher chose this method of data
collection as it less time consuming. It ensures privacy for
respondents, and it is an effective means of gathering
statistical information.
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SURVEY OF THE POSITIVE IMPACATS IF CHRISTIANITY IN THE COMMUNITY OF
SOMERTON.
Dear responder,
You are in possession of a survey constructed in Somerton to
uncover the incontrovertible effects of Christianity in the area.
This application is an assignment for the advancement of my
Sociology course. All questions must be answered truthfully as
your identity will remain confidential. Answer questions by
placing a check mark the boxes as shown. Only one answer is
required for each question.
Yours sincerely,
Amelia Reid.
Sample questionnaire1. What is your gender?
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Male
Female
2. To which ethnic group do you belong?
Indian
African
Chinesse
Mixed descent
Other___________________________________
(Please Specify)
3. What type of family are you are member of?
Nuclear family
Extended family
Single parent family
Reorganized family
Sibling family
4. What type of union are you/your parents apart of?
Common law union
Legal union
Visiting relationship
None of the above
Other_______________________________________
(Please specify)
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5. To what age group do you belong?
10 – 18yrs
19 – 27yrs
28 – 36yrs
44 – 52yrs
Other___________________________________
(Please specify)
6. How many years have you been a Christian?
Over 10yrs
6 – 10yrs
1 – 5yrs
Under 1yr
7. To what denomination do you belong?
Baptist
Anglican
Adventist
Jehovah Witness
Pentecostal
Pokomania
Methodist
Other________________________________
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(Please specify)
8. The dominating amount of members attending your church are:
Elders
Adolescence
Adults
Toddlers
9. How often do you attend church?
Every Sunday
Every Saturday
Once every month
On religious holidays
Other___________________________________
(Please specify)
10. How were you introduced to the denomination?
Parents\guardian\grandparents
Friend
Neighbour
Pastor
Sibling
Other__________________________________
(Please specify)
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5
11. What position do you hold in the church you attend?
Minister
Pastor
Usher
None of the above
Sunday school Teacher
Other______________________________
Deacon
(Please specify)
12. What extracurricular activities do you participate in at
your church?
Bible competitions Sign
language
Bible study
all of the above
Choir
Other________________________________
Performing Arts
13. Does the church you attend enforce rules?
Yes
5
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No
14. I yes, what types of rules are enforced in the church?
_____________________________________________________________
__________
_____________________________________________________________
__________
_____________________________________________________________
__________
15. Would you consider your community as being an organized and
secure environment?
Yes
No
16. If yes what do you think is the main cause of this societal
cohesion?
Type of family
Type of education
Type of religion
Type of socialization
17. What lessons involving human beings are taught in sermons at
the church you attend if you are a member of any
denomination?
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Humans are physical beings Humans are
Sociocultural beings
Humans are spiritual beings All of
the above
Humans are moral beings
Other_______________________________ (Please specify)6
18. In what ways does the church you attend contribute to your
community?
Fund raisers (Charity events)
none of the above
Bible camp
All of the above
Community meetings
Other___________________
Distribution of Biblical items (Bibles, Pamphlets, etc)
(Please specify)
19. How often does the church you attend contribute to the
community?
Once every week
Every day of the week
Once every month
Once a year6
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Never
Other_________________________________________
20. What is/are the main reason/s you attend church?
Provides members with a sense of identity and belonging,
Establish codes of conduct
Relieves fear, anxiety and frustration by assuring divine
intervention in times of disaster
Provides answers and give reasons for man’s existence
Provides focus for life’s journey
All of the above
Other______________________________________________
(Please specify)
21. What form/s of Negativity is/are present in your community?
(Tick option in bracket)
Abuse (Sexual/ physical/ verbal /emotional)
Teenage trafficking
Teenage pregnancy
Drug trafficking
Juvenile delinquency
Lottery scamming
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Street children
All of the above
Murder
None of the above
Praedial larceny
Other_________________________ (Please specify)
22. In what way/s do you think your church positively impacts
your community?
_____________________________________________________________
___________
_____________________________________________________________
___________
_____________________________________________________________
___________
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Data Collection Instrument
50 questionnaires were distributed by twos to 15 houses in the
districts of York land and industry, 8 in York land and 7 in
Industry. The remaining ten questionnaires were handed in fives
to both a Seventh Day and Pentecostal church.
The researcher was unknowledgeable about the present status of
household members and where members were absent, had to continue
on to an alternate house, this soon became tiring. Problem
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encountered by the researcher included, refusal to respond
inquisitions about the researcher’s authorizations to conduct the
investigation, thus the researcher had to seek other respondents
and also the Retrieval of surveys left overnight at different
houses, respondents extended the time for which each was to be
returned.
Presentation of Data
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As questionnaires were returned, the researcher apprehended that
churches contributed to the community by offering social
activities, religious education, and financial assistance to
other institutions Seventh Day Adventist denomination as they
were better able to function in churches which offered
hospitality. Justifications for their preference were because
churches participated in community activities which benefitted
both church members and other citizens in the community by
establishing codes of conduct and problem solving.
Fig1: Proportionate Bar Chart Showing the GenderPercentage of Respondents in the Community of Somerton
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
0.36
0.640000000000003
Male Female
Numb
er o
f Re
spon
dent
s
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Figure 1 displays the gender percentage of respondents in the
districts of York land and Industry. A maximum of 64% were
females and 36% were males.
Fig 2: Bar Chart Displaying the Different Types of
Marriages in the Districts of Industry and York Land
Legal Union Common Law Relationship
Visiting Relationship
None of the Above
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%
60%
16% 14% 10%
Types of Marriages
Perc
enta
ge o
f Re
spon
dent
s
As the Christian religion encourages couples to complete the
sacrament of marriage, a majority of the population in both
districts had concluded the requirements, a maximum of 60% of
citizens participated in a legal union to legitimize their
connection.
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Fig 3: Histogram Showing the Number of years each
respondent in Industry and York Land Has Attended
Church
Over 10 Years
6 - 10 Years
1 - 5 Years
Under 1 Year
0%
20%
40%
60%
Number of Years each Respondent Attended Church
Perc
enta
ge o
f Re
spon
dent
s
Figure 3 illustrates the length of time each respondent in both
districts has attended church. A majority of respondents have
been associated with Christian beliefs for over 10 years which
automatically accounts for their conduct in society.
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Seventh Day
Adventist46%Pentecosta
l30%
Baptist9%
Jehovah Witness11%
Anglican2%Pokomania
2%
A majority of the respondents in the community were members of an
Adventist church where the 46% of respondents have confessed to
having preference to the denomination in comparison to alternate
beliefs such as the Pentecostal, though experiencing high
attendance rates which exceed to 30% and Baptist at 15%.
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Fig 5: Pie Chart Showing the Activities Practised by
Members of Different Churches in York land and Industry
Bible Competition14%
Bible Study18%
Choir30%
Performing Arts16%Sign Language
10%
All of the Above12%
Figure 5 exhibits the activities that interest members of
churches in both districts, a majority of respondents were
participants of both the choir which advances to 30% and Bible
studies at 16%. 12% of the members participated in all activities
as it kept them occupied and provided lessons on moral behaviour,
also resulting in modes of conduct.
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Fig 6: Pie Chart Showing the Reasons why each
respondent in York land and Industry attend church
provides a sense of
identity and belonging
15%Establishes codes of conduct12% Relieves fear
and anxiety by assuring divine intervention in
times of disasters
12%Provides focus for life's journey
4%Provides
answers and give reasons for man's existence
14%
All of the above43%
A majority of respondents confessed that they attend church for
all reasons presented on the surveys. Surveys displayed that most
of the respondents attend because Christianity provided members
with a sense of identity. Percentages exceeds to approximately
50%.
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Fig7: Table Showing the Lessons Taught in Different
churches in York land and Industry
Lessons Taught by
Churches
Number of Respondents
Humans are physical beings 1Humans are spiritual beings 14Humans are moral beings 7Humans are Sociocultural
beings
6
All of the above 22Other 0Figure 7 displays the different teachings present in churches in
the districts of York land and Industry. A majority of 22
respondents communicated that all lessons of the Christian Code
were enforced in the churches. However, most of the respondents
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stated that the main lesson in their church declared that humans
were primarily spiritual beings.
Fig 8: Bar Chart Showing the Different ways that Churches in both Districts Contribute to the community
0%5%
10%15%20%25%30%35%40%
Types of Contributions
Perc
enta
ge o
f Re
spon
dent
s
Churches unequivocally impacted the lives of citizens by making
offerings to the community. In that 36% of respondents stated
that, the church they attend contributed to citizens and
congregation members by all the means presented on the survey, as
through their actions, they enforce social unity and consensus.
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Fig 9: Pie Chart showing persons’ opinions on how both
districts function
Type of Family16%Type of education
12%
Type of religion
52%
Type of socalizat
ion (peers/adults)20%
When asked their opinion on the main influences of societal
conduct in communities today, 52% of respondents believed that
this was due to persons’ affiliation with the church
Fig.10: Proportionate Bar Chart showing the type of Negativities present in both Districts
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0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Praedial LarcenyAbuseJunvinile DelinqeuncyTeenage pregnancyLottery scamNone of the above
Axis Title
Figure 10 shows the types of negativity in the community, where 56% of respondents stated that their community was not affected by any of the crimes presented on the questionnaire. The main form of illegality practiced in their surroundings involved lottery scamming, a common crime among citizens in today’s world,this however was communicated by only 16% of the respondents.
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7 Analysis of Data
The researcher learned that approximately 70% of respondents
were members of Seventh - day Adventist and Pentecostal churches.
However Adventist churches appeared to have more attendances
compared to other denominations in York Land and Industry. In
those, at least 50% of respondents were members of a Seventh –
day Adventists, mainly because of the effective connections made
between members, as where one has feelings of belonging and
identity, the place becomes a fundamental aspect of one’s life.
According to Doctor Rualston Nemphard in The Real Crisis of Jamaican
Christianity, a census on Jamaican churches showed increases in
church affiliations, where more than 100,000,000 of the
population have had some religious acquaintance. He also declared
a boost in Pentecostal churches as more citizens are attending
churches in their communities, which has benefitted their lives
immensely. Significantly, Adventists seem to have more members
compared to other denominations. Nemphard believes that this is
because the denomination provides social change by enforcing
7File.128992011//: The Real Crisis in Jamaican Christianity November 3, 2012
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conduction codes for citizens, disciplines persons to be aware of
order in society and develops education.
According to the, History of Christianity, the lessons constituted in
the religion teaches persons to have a positive attitude toward
the world, whether in favourable or poor situations. Numerous
respondents stated that the primary lesson apprehended during
sermons revealed the spiritual value of the self, which accounts
for the way in which one thinks of as one learns to accept
oneself as an individual. Persons then become cognizant of their
identity and values. For example, respondents in both districts
communicated the main reasons they return to church, this 8was
primarily because the church provided answers and gave reasons
for man’s existence as well as the essence of belonging and
identity.
The compatibility between churches in both districts and others
in the Jamaican society, points to the fact that the religion
offers educational improvements, most commonly in the context of
religious and social education. A letter to the editor, posted in
the Jamaican Observer shows how the Pentecostal denomination has8 http://jamaicaobserver.com/letters/-p-Congrats--Pentecostals--p---_8230074#
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provided religious and social discipline to members and non
members of the congregation where the Reverend Canon Ernle Gordon
informed the editor about the improvements he has witnessed over
the past two years. He broadcasted that Pentecostal churches now
have students who are attending the Jamaica School of Music and,
like the Adventists, is persistent in exposing their musical
reservoir, as they have organized several dance groups which have
become a revolutionary trend in society.
Also in America, one hundred of the first one hundred and ten
Universities were founded for the express of propagating the
Christian religion. Likewise the Ephesus Basic School in Somerton
was formulated around Christian inspirations, and disciplines
students from the stage of a toddler where they continue the good
moral behaviour to the stage of adulthood.
Emile Durkheim believed that all aspects of society have its own
function and maintain order in society. The Christian faith
encourages persons to complete the sacrament of marriage prior to
sexual intercourse as it is perceived a sin to engage in any act
of fornication. The researcher discovered that a majority of the
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respondents had participated in a legal union and later started a
family, the institution which sequels that of religion. This
therefore suggests that the Christian faith had played its role
in aiding the functions of society by encouraging a disciplined,
family life, reproduction and later, education as it often fuels
the development of other institutions.
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Findings, Discussion of Findings and Conclusion
Statement of Findings
As surveys were distributed and returned, the researcher learnt
that the Christian religion was one of the primary influential
aspects in the Community of Somerton. In that:
A majority, of 60% of respondents participated in a legal
Union.
Jamaican Seventh Day Adventist like those in Somerton were
most popular for societal influences, this involved both
Social unity and change which were a result of the
conduction codes established in churches, the activities
offered and the different contributions made by church
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The primary Christian contribution in both Jamaica and
Somerton included educational improvement. More than 50% of
the respondents befitted academically from Christianity,
which established religious facilities in communities.
Approximately 60% of the respondents were members of Seventh
Day Adventists and Pentecostal churches in York land and
Industry.
More than 50% of respondents stated that churches mainly
made positive contributions to the community by offering
Biblical teachings and items outside of the church and
creating activities for members of congregations
Christian affiliations in Somerton far exceeded the negative
activities which were only at an approximate 44%.
9 Discussion of Findings
Though there were different institutive influences in Somerton,
citizens, appeared to be solely affected by the impact of
9 http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/columns/The-real-crisis-in-Jamaican-Christianity_12899201#
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churches in their community, which most often than not, made
contributions to the other institutions by assisting with
development and offering religious teachings.
More than 50% of the respondents were also legally united by
Christian beliefs as the Christian code constitutes that persons
annex prior to sexual intercourse. By completing the sacrament,
couples often move on to other stages in their lives, this
involving reproduction which therefore constructs the family
institution in society by the order of the church. 50% of
respondents in both districts participated in a Legal union and
later started their own families as almost all respondents were
of an extended or nuclear family type
Both the Jamaican churches and those in Somerton were common for
their societal influences, and enforced social unity by making
financial, religious and social contributions to the community,
which greatly benefitted the citizens. In that, more than 30% of
the respondents were participants of a church choir, and more
than 12% participants of Bible studies. As Durkheim believes,
that socialization is the basis of societal cohesion and unity,
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contributions made most commonly by Pentecostal and Seventh Day
Adventists, often involves societal interaction which most often
connected members of the community who later become lifelong
companions or even assist neighbours.
However the most significant contributions made by churches in
Jamaica were educational improvements, his was also common in
Somerton where churches taught citizens in both bible
competitions and studies. When asked the positive impacts by the
churches in their communities, a majority of the respondents
claimed that these were oftentimes social activities, and the
only basic school in the area, called Ephesus which was inspired
by a Pentecostal church.
Conclusion
The history of Christianity is inseparable from the history of
Western culture and society. For almost one hundred centuries,
Christian beliefs, principles, and ideals have imprinted the
deliberations and feelings of man. The practices have left its
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mark on the improvement of religious welfares and the total
endeavour of man. The aspect has manifested itself in the forms
of social intellect, art, literature, politics, science, law,
economics and love worldwide.
Likewise, churches in Somerton, most commonly, like Jamaica, tend
to maintain some forms of social order in the community by making
contributions to members and non members of the church. This is
often in forms of art, socialization and love as the researcher
has observed that the churches in both Somerton and Jamaica have
organized dance groups to keep young adults preoccupied in their
spare time and away from negative activity. The churches, most
commonly Seventh – day Adventists, also contributed to social
order by enforcing codes of conduct for members of the church,
one of which includes completing the sacrament of marriage, which
decreases the chances of overpopulation, child neglect, visiting
relationships, and negativities such as teenage pregnancy, in
that a majority of the respondents were legally engaged in
Somerton. It also contributed to other societal intuitions, such
as the family, as the sacrament of marriage, promotes the need
for reproduction, which often results in a stable family life. Page | 42
Other institutions benefitted from the churches in both Jamaica
and Somerton as the researcher learned that more students in the
Jamaica School of music are producing qualified conductors and a
School constructed by the inspirations of a Pentecostal church in
Somerton.
According to James F. Williams, Christianity has suffered
periods of persecution and divisions within its own ranks. It has
been the cause and the victim of war and strife. It has assumed
forms of astonishing variety. It has been confronted by
revolutionary changes in human and social outlooks and subjected
to searching criticism. The culture of our own time, indeed, has
been termed the most completely secularized form of culture the
world has ever known. We live in what some have called the post-
Christian age.
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Bibliography
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/columns/The-real-crisis-in-Jamaican-Christianity_12899201#ixzz2D4qWxvdX
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/columns/Christianity-s- immortality_12974978#ixzz2D4pERcSy
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/letters/-p-Congrats--Pentecostals--p---_8230074#ixzz2C7kSZ6I4
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/columns/500-years-of-Christianity-in-Jamaica_11339616#ixzz2C2XNDUQX
: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/letters/-p-Congrats--Pentecostals--p---_8230074#ixzz2C7kSZ6I4
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