Pastor Karl Hood has launched his bid to unseat Deputy Prime Minister Gregory Bowen in the upcoming general elections and has denied reports that his re-entry into politics is dividing his congregation.

The Pentecostal pastor is contesting the St George's South East Constituency as a candidate for the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Widespread debate

His involvement in party politics though has sparked widespread debate among his congregation even though he insists "there is no split at the people's church.

"They are some persons who really do not like the decision," Hood told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) after the NDC public meeting on Sunday endorsed him as a candidate.

"There is no split in the people's church. There has never been. There is none right now and there would never be a split in the church," he argued.

Hood suffered a crushing defeat in the 1990 elections when he was trounced by then Communications and Works Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell.

No religious conflict

Hood said that his involvement in politics does not conflict with his religious duties, but admitted that he is prepared to sacrifice his political career if it became too overwhelming.

"I do not see why people think it is such a great conflict because actually as far as I am seeing, it is not. I am seeing that the both are the very same. Serving people and trying to get the best for people, Hood told CMC.

"If for any reason that politically I find myself driven and that I cannot handle them both, I am definitely going to withdraw politically. If I have to give anything up, I would never give up the church," he said.

Reprinted from jamaica-gleaner.com