By EARYEL BOWLEG

Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis yesterday decried the current state of politics in the country, saying he is “deeply afraid” of what it has become and how it is affecting communities.

His comments came at the Church of God of Prophecy’s “Love Thy Neighbour” event, a national faith-based initiative aimed at promoting unity through service and spiritual renewal.

Mr Davis lamented the growing hostility in political discourse, saying it is eroding the sense of community that once defined the country.

He reflected on a time when Bahamians could disagree politically but still share meals, attend the same churches, and cheer for the same Junkanoo groups. But, he said, much of that unity has faded.

“Today, we don’t just argue – we attack. We don’t just disagree — we despise. It’s not enough for someone to be wrong in our eyes — now we must make them out to be wicked, corrupt, irredeemable,” Mr Davis said.

“I want to say this clearly, as our prime minister, but more than that, as your neighbour: I am deeply afraid of what politics is making us become.”

He said politics should never cost the country its compassion — but “more and more it is”.

Mr Davis said he has seen families and church communities grow divided over political differences, asking “Is this who we want to be? Because it’s not who we were and it doesn’t have to be who we become.”

He added: “If we lose civility, if we lose decency, if we begin to see every opponent as an enemy, we’re entering into a different reality. One where our country can’t hold together.”

Referencing American writer and civil rights activist James Baldwin’s observation that every encounter reflects a part of ourselves— Mr Davis urged Bahamians to extend grace and understanding to one another.

“You don’t know what that woman on the bus is carrying,” he said, “You don’t know what that young man on the corner has been through. You don’t know what that angry voice on the radio is trying to heal from. But you know this: they are your neighbour.”

“And if you’ve ever needed grace, then you know how powerful it can be to give it. Treat others the way you want others to treat you. That’s not just a moral guideline. That’s how we survive. That’s how we heal.”

While acknowledging his role as the country’s leader, Mr Davis said the nation’s strength lies not in its leaders, but in the way citizens treat one another.

He said questions about kindness, forgiveness, honesty are what will determine the future and not just who wins an election or how laws are passed.

“You don’t have to agree with someone to treat them with dignity. You don’t have to like someone’s choices to respect their humanity. You don’t have to share someone’s story to honour their struggle. We can disagree. That’s democracy. That’s life. But we must never let disagreement lead us to devalue one another.”