Rasbert Turner, Star Writer

A woman who declared that she was a ''warrior fi Christ'' caused a stir on a Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) bus recently when she verbally attacked the driver who had prevented a woman from preaching.

The driver of the yellow Volvo bus stopped the vehicle twice to explain to the female that he wanted to have a quiet trip.

The preacher then obeyed and sat down quietly.

However the driver's move to stop the preacher apparently offended another woman who was a passenger.

ole sorcerer

The burly woman with her khaki and red turban went on the defensive; ''Tun off di radio and listen to God words you ole demons," she said. "It is reproach fi no listen. A God time now, and dis ole sorcerer no want fi listen to di word.''

Her outburst began to affect other passengers who stated their displeasure in no uncertain manner.

''Woman tap the noise a di driva head and mine yu mek him crash di bus. A him a drive and him decide dat him no want fi hear nuh preaching dis mawning. Nutten no wrong wid dat,'' a male passenger said to much approval from other persons.

But even with the driver getting support from other passengers, the angry woman would not relent. Instead she moved closer to the driver and continued to vent.

"Mi a defen Jesus and mi nuh care wah anybody waan seh. Mi a warrior fi Christ,'' she said. She further stated; "Even inna di Bible people always a war fi God. Di driva is very rude.''

Without much support and with the would-be preacher already gone quiet the remainder of the journey between Spanish Town and Kingston.

delicate matter

Corporate Communications manager for the JUTC, Reginald Allen, explained that the company is aware of the popularity of such religious practices taking place on the buses, but there is no formal policy to prohibit it as it remains a delicate matter.

"There's no policy that guides such a practice," Allen commented.

At the same time, he emphasised that, " the company would appreciate it if someone who is planning to preach on the bus has a discussion with the driver prior to doing so as it is up to the discretion of the driver," he told THE STAR.