Video: Sir John Swan On Same Sex Marriage
“Bermuda, let’s get ourselves into the 21st century,” Sir John Swan said when asked about same sex marriage, adding that “we’ve got big issues to deal with, and we should not be marginalizing people.”
Sir John Swan, who served as Premier from 1982 to 1995, recently sat down with Bernews for a live interview on a wide range of topics, with same sex marriage and the referendum among the topics discussed.
“I was always in favour of same sex marriage,” Sir John told Bernews when asked about his views on same sex marriage.
“We are the children of God. If you believe in God, you believe that we are all his children. If you believe we are all his children, you should believe the fact that when one is different, whether they’ve got polio or they’ve got something, they’re entitled to get as much care and as much attention as anybody else.
“What people are trying to do, is they’re trying to separate homosexuality from anything else in nature. And you can’t. The laws of nature are the laws of nature. The laws of creativity are the laws of creativity.
“And there is a parallel relationship between the two, and therefore to make a distinction of saying a homosexual person is a non-person in a normal sense, is a nonsense.
“We have a law in our books called the Human Rights Act. And the Human Rights Act makes it very clear, we are bumping up against the Human Rights Act in Bermuda, we’re bumping up against the Human Rights Act in Europe, and everywhere else.
“And yet at the same time, we’re saying, we want these people to come to Bermuda. But we want them to be what we consider normal, as opposed to what they are, being just naturally normal.
“I think we are barking up the wrong tree. The churches have ideological ideas that somehow or the other, a person is not a real person unless they are a certain way. I think, on this matter, the churches are wrong.
“I think Bermuda’s being looked upon as being really out of step. Particularly since we are such a big international center, we do have a very high standard of living.
“But my suspicion is, slowly as technology and information reaches the world, and the growth that we would like to have, because we don’t have that, will slowly be diminished.
“There’s only so much to go around. As we know, 90% of the world’s wealth now is controlled by less than 1% of the world’s population. Which means the fact that these key people in the world that are making decisions about the world.
“These big conglomerates are being run by…and most of those have made it very clear that they have no issues with homosexuality.
“So what’s going to happen is, slowly and in a subtle way, we’ll be diminished by taking a position that is contrary to human rights and human natural laws of nature. Because a few people say that somehow or the other, nature got it wrong. What a contradiction!
Video excerpt from the live interview showing Sir John discussing same sex marriage:
“I’ve taken a position that very simply says that Bermuda let’s get ourselves into the 21st century. We’ve got big issues to deal with, and we should not be marginalizing people as a result of a ideological bend.
“The reality is, we’re out of step with what’s going on other places,” Sir John added.
The video above was extracted from the full interview, in which Sir John discussed a wide range of topics including the current political scene, the waterfront, America’s Cup, race relations, and more. We previously posted an excerpt of Sir John’s comments on the airport redevelopment, will post an additional excerpt tomorrow, and to watch the 1-hour live interview replay in full, please click here.
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God is ALWAYS used for convenience.
Like every funeral I go to, EVERYONE goes to heaven regardless of lifestyle they’ve lived. Just like during Slavery they used God to justify their atrocities.
And those that dont live a God like life always tell those who they are trying to convince about God.
People wake the F!@# up.
You got the slavery in, but forgot the Marley quote.
With your first sentence u shot yourself in the foot. Cant make this stuff up. And u got the nerve to demand help/support for your “real bermudians”. Nope
There. Is. No. God.
Well, we’ve known that’s how de powers think since they bought us over this side.
So who are your oba leaders praying to for help with regards to the 2017 election. At this stage they need all the prayer they can muster up.
I think your in for a shock there bully.
Ya, because some people are so ignorant they they will vote them back in.
Pathetic.
Because the PLP did what again for Bermudians ? What did the PLP do for you?
A fool says in his heart this is no God. Throughout history mankind have been trying to take the place of god. Look at the world today, you remove God and you have unbelievable evil taking place.
The entertainment industry, the music industry and media are all they are doing is forcing immorality, Satanism and violence down our throats. They are programming us to accept this agenda. They point the finger at us, you need to see the men behind the curtain and do your research.
Have you bothered to ask yourselves what do these individuals believe in who control these industries. You are being indoctrinated and do not even know who the men are behind this agenda. Once you do your research then you will understand why they are feeding the masses a steady dose of this mess.
They have wrapped and dressed up sexual perversion in a pretty package under human rights, equal rights, same sex marriage and “love”. And those who have been successfully programmed go along with this deception because they can not think for themselves.
Eh, there’s been evil happening in the world for ages. Wars, inhumane treatment of our fellow humans (e.g. slavery, child trafficking), scamming. They didn’t need the presence of movies or music to get their minds ticking.
Your God is yours.
No one else should be forced to believe in Him or obey the rules of your religion.
You can believe all of this, if you want.
The problem is that you seem to want everyone else to do so.
If you’d have a problem with someone else demanding that you follow their God, then you know it,s wrong… even when you do it.
“We have a law in our books called the Human Rights Act. And the Human Rights Act makes it very clear, we are bumping up against the Human Rights Act in Bermuda, we’re bumping up against the Human Rights Act in Europe, and everywhere else.
Surely Mr. Swan knows that the European Convention on Human Rights has already rule that this is nota human rights issue and if he did not know then how informed is he?
If the country decides to embrace same sex marriage it will have to be because they want to do it.
You are completely wrong about ECHR rullings. They have rulled, consistently, that’s it’s a human rights issue. They have, however, never rulled that SSM is the only remedy for the issue – as long as a State provides a legally equal avenue for same-sex couples to receive the benefits of marriage.
Well at least de animals have it right.
Homosexuality is quite common in the animal “kingdom”
I don’t disagree that humans should be able allowed to join and share their life with whomever they chose but the animal argument holds no water.
In the animal kingdom what you call homosexuality is actually a show of dominance. It’s nothing to do with animals mutually showing their affection. An animal of the same sex does this to another to show who’s in charge. Most owners of dogs have seen this before where a dominant dog of the same sex mounts another submissive dog. In humans this is seen also in prisons or in military history where dominance is shown through sexual ways. This is not considered homosexuality it’s considered rape. In the natural order of mammals it’s not considered a natural part of the life cycle and that’s why reproduction is not part of homosexuality.
Homosexuality is a preference that could be the result of life experiences or maybe to do with a chromosome anomalies but it’s not a standard development in humans. Regardless of not being a standard it isn’t life threatening as long as precautions are taken so there’s no reason to not let a homosexual person have the same rights as a heterosexual. In Japan a man was legally allowed to marry an inflatable doll so be it. Having a relationship with a doll is not a normal part of life but neither are all the government regulations on marriage so why not if it makes the person happy and they aren’t harming anyone else. Proponents of homosexuality spend too much time trying to prove it is normal which is a dead end because it’s not. Proponents should just focus on the right to choose and how it’s against every human’s right not to get the freedom of choice.
Nope. You’ve posted this before and show to be wrong.
Homosexuality is prevalent throughout the animal kingdom, not just dominance plays.
And reproduction has nothing to do with this topic. It is not a stipulation for marriage.
As for the rest of the post? It’s ridiculous. Inflatable dolls can’t sign a legal document.
Thank you for supporting marriage equality, but please stop spreading misinformation.
Back on de plantation Buck Busting was a tactic used by slave masters on any slave who defied, was tied down whipped and raped in front of other slaves to demoralize them.
This was a very common practice in Jamaica which is why Jamaica is not tolerant to that lifestyle.
What does rape have to do with this topic?
That’s nice, so is cannibalism, random killing etc.
Well someone is lying because all these chickens I see around de Island there is ALWAYS a rooster with multiple females and when I look at National Geographic de lions ALWAYS have a pride of females.
LMFAO
But you just have a crusty sock on your bedside table.
Yes. That someone is usually you.
OJ go and see the oscar winning movie Moonlight.
Ya, de Black version of Broke Back Mountain.
You’re absolutely correct. The European Court has consistently ruled that Article 8 of the Convention grants same-sex couples a right to family life, which means that member states must provide legal recognition of same-sex relationships. For Bermuda to be in compliance with the Convention, we need to allow either same-sex marriages or some form of civil unions.
Nothing in this post is actually correct.
“If you believe we are all his children, you should believe the fact that when one is different, whether they’ve got polio or they’ve got something, they’re entitled to get as much care and as much attention as anybody else.”
Wait, did he just compare being gay to having polio???
Drawing a parallel isn’t necessarily comparing.
There’s an interesting case going on at the moment in the UK I believe where a heterosexual couple are going to Court because they want a civil union instead of a traditional marriage. The churches in Bermuda better beware of what they wish for because this case may stamp out traditional marriage all together. Better to be inclusive than isolate yourselves into obsolescence.
Maybe that should be the end game after all. Government gets right out of the ‘marriage process’ entirely. Couples wanting legal benefits get to apply to Govt for a separate certificate.
They already do that. It’s called “marriage”.
Note!!
Leviticus 18: 22 – You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.
Here’s a verse from my book.
Humans 21: 33 – Do whatever you want. If your life. Live it how you choose.
A man should not have sex with a slave if she is betrothed to another man – but if they do, she is to be scourged (beaten) and he must sacrifice a sheep (Leviticus 19:20-22, KJV)
Good old Leviticus, it’s right up to date isn’t it?
That is a rule of your personal choice of religion.
Do you believe that everyone should have to follow the rules of YOUR religion?
Insert lightening bolt.
Leviticus 19:!9 “You shall keep my statutes. You shall not let your cattle breed with a different kind. You shall not sow your field with two kinds of seed, nor shall you wear a garment of cloth made of two kinds of material.” Clearly we’re all going to hell.
Isn’t Leviticus where it says you can keep slaves as long as you don’t beat them too badly?
You never made any comment on the continued marginalization of herb smokers.