JAMAICA’S largest denomination, the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church, has distanced itself from a member of the church who is scheduled to speak at a two-day international conference titled “Intimate Conviction” to discuss the church and anti-buggery laws in the Commonwealth.SDA Communication, Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Director Nigel Coke said Dr Keisha McKenzie may be a member, but “she does not speak on behalf of the Seventh-day Adventist Church globally or locally, and any statement or utterance by her concerning the conference’s theme should not be taken as an official statement or position of the church”. But the church made it clear in a press statement that it would not be taking action against McKenzie, stressing that it was not against individuals exercising their freedom of conscience and expressions, “which are God-given rights never to be taken from anyone”. However the church clarified its position saying – ““We believe that sexual intimacy belongs only within the marital relationship of a man and a woman. This was the design established by God at creation. Throughout Scripture this heterosexual pattern is affirmed
