A conscience vote
November 27, 2008 by Marguerite Orane
Filed under Love
On Tuesday, the Members of Parliament of Jamaica casted conscience votes on the issue of the retention of the death penalty in Jamaica.
In the weeks leading up to the vote, the politicians struggled to define what a conscience vote is. Many quoted the Bible, both for and against the issue. A number of them stated that their conscience would be guided by the wishes of their constituents; some said that they had consulted those they represent, and that their vote would reflect the “will of the people”.
The discussions suggest that a conscience vote is misunderstood, as perhaps is the even the concept of a conscience. Our conscience is the deep inner knowing of what is right or wrong. It is the ultimate connection with the source, the very being of who we are. There is no rationality, nor reasoning – just a knowing. Indeed the word “conscience” comes from the Latin root “scire” meaning knowledge and the prefix “con” meaning with. Our conscience therefore is what we know and what we know with, it is intrinsic and a part of our very nature. To say therefore that one’s conscience needs to be advised by others, is contrary to the very nature of conscience. Acting with a conscience requires an awareness or consciousness of self. It requires that we look deep within, not without, for the right answer.
To make a conscience vote, one must be present and aware. The ego must be moved away (perhaps a very, very difficult task for a politician). It is the ego that is listening to and giving credence to the external opinions bombarding the person. The noise of the ego will drown the voice of the conscience.
How will we know if the answer is the right one? We will just KNOW. There will be a sense of ease and peace. For if one really goes within, there can be no other answer but one that is based on love and forgiveness. This is what creates the peace.
Perhaps rather than a debate the Members of Parliament would have been advised to have gone into deep, silent meditation. Then they would have been able to truly vote with their conscience.
