Prime Minister Perry Christie has called on the church and state to work together.

There must be, he said, no division between the two.

“In The Bahamas we have never followed that sort of edict separation of church and state,” he said Saturday while speaking with worldwide Leader of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church, Ted Wilson.

“…We have not followed that republican model. When I say ‘republican’ I don’t mean the party, but that of republics in terms of how we have approached life here in The Bahamas.”

Mr. Christie however acknowledged that both he and Deputy Prime Minister, Philip Davis agree that the country is too far removed from what is happening in the Adventist church and the “obvious advantages flowing from its work.”

He said the idea is to now see how, after 40 years of Independence, the country can bridge the gap that exists between the secular and religious parts of the country.

Opposition Leader, Dr. Hubert Minnis agreed, adding that since serving as minister of health, he has admired the lifestyle of Seventh Day Adventists and hopes to incorporate certain portions into his everyday living.

“I’ve worked with the church and I’m happy to hear that the prime minister has made a determination and in fact an obligation that both he and I will work together and be guided by the programs of the Seventh Day Adventist church, in terms of improving the quality of our life,” he said.

“I can assure you, as the opposition, we’re more for positive things for The Bahamas, and whatever’s positive for the country, we will never oppose.”

Pastor Wilson was in town to visit members of the regional headquarters of the Atlantic Caribbean Union of Seventh-day Adventists (ATCU).

The idea was to strengthen the church as well as forge relationships with other religious leaders in The Bahamas.