The Jamaican Bible Remixed

Christianity has been part of Jamaica for 500 years and it’s said there is a church on every corner.

Christian worship is conducted from the King James bible in antiquated English rather than the native Jamaican patois.

But the number of people - especially young people - actually going to traditional churches is falling. The answer, some believe, would be to translate the King James bible into the local Jamaican language, offering a uniquely Jamaican version that appeals to ordinary people. However many traditional Christians feel it dilutes and disrespects the word of God. Others believe Jamaican patois is inappropriate for a formal setting like church.

To mark Jamaican Independence Day and during the week where Jamaicans celebrate emancipation from slavery, British theologian Professor Robert Beckford travels to Jamaica in an attempt to legitimise the use of the Patois Bible.

Presenter: Robert Beckford
Producer: Rajeev Gupta

(Image: The Jamaican Nu Testament Credit: Rajeev Gupta)