Of Rony, GLBTs and Police

The second wave of criticisms against Rony Tan by the GLBT groups have somewhat abated but not completely dissipated. Thus far, we have perhaps seen the most vocal of both sides - an uneducated sermon on GLBT by Rony Tan has elicited a group of concerned individuals, numbering 85, to lodge a police report against Rony Tan. The group of concerned individuals were hoping for an apology from Rony Tan and, in the words of prominent director, Sun Koh, "send a message that gays and lesbians in Singapore will no longer stay silent when provoked by religious groups that actively promote disinformation.”

Before I write about how I, as a Christian, view homosexuality, let's just say that a police report against someone will hardly get the same person to apologise. A defensive stance is only a natural response. Wonder if anyone from the GLBT community sent a measured but strong-worded response to Rony Tan to dispel some of the ridiculous statements that he has made, just like what the NUS Buddhist Society had done earlier. Rony Tan can apologise all he wants, but it doesn't make a difference if he doesn't LEARN. There can thousands of police reports, but enforcement and punitive measures were never enlightened ways to educate the other.

http://www.nusbs.org.sg/blog/?p=774

With regards to Sun Koh's rallying cry that gay and lesbians WILL NO LONGER stay silent when provoked by religious groups, I will just like to say that we have seen during AWARE saga that they can have a voice in civil society too. Mistake me not, I am not a fan of the hijacking a secular organisation but neither am I a fan of portraying oneself as constantly being under seige. Vindictive actions, such a police reports, would only further polarise the Christian and GLBT communities with every action and reaction etched in common consciousness of each group.

For the Christian community, it has a mission to propogate and educate its flock on the right standards of moral behaviour, and this includes promoting the typical man-woman union. While doing so, we should not denigrate other religions or the sexual minority. Religious communities, as part of civil society, non-state opinion makers, would expect their message to spread to the wider public. While we argue with reason and maturity, we hope that others can share our point of view, if not, at least tolerate us, just as I would urge Christians to tolerate others.

In terms of arguing for the stay or abolishment of Section 377A, while some churches would like it to stay, I believe that it has no consequence whatsoever since it is not being used and politicians have assured that it will not be used to persecute the GLBTs. Would less people become GLBT due to the existence of such a law? I doubt it. Is it a Peanuts Linus' security blanket for the conservatives, regardless of religions? Perhaps. Maybe it's going to stay to placate both sides, an uncomfortable, bumpy, middle ground.

As Christians, the first lesson we were often taught were Adam and Eve, man and woman created by God, prone to sins and temptations. GLBTs were always the group that we Christians were mixed, confused and often ignorant about, unless one were to have close family/friends who were GLBT. It easy to label the sinner and cast the first stone, it's harder, and definitely more emotional draining, to understand, counsel and share. Perhaps, we must first understand that we might never share the good news with all GLBT, just as not every heterosexual person might be receptive to The Bible, but that shouldn't stop us from respecting their wishes just be around when they need us. And, I can't emphasis enough these days to share with respect and sensitivity. But ultimately, let us revisit the scriptures to see that there is enough of the blood and body of Jesus Christ to share with everyone, regardless of sexual orientation.

Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. 1 Corinthians 10:16-17

Rony Tan saga and what it means for Christians (Part II)

There are so many articles out there talking about Rony Tan that I feel almost guilty writing about it because it will most probably be plagiarism. But, there are still a couple more things to say:

i) Some might see Christianity as an arrogant religion and Christians as people who condemns non-believers. This is not true, most Christians accept non-believers and when we can we share the good news with care and respect. We don't shove it down your throat or force you to convert your parents, break up the family etc etc.

ii) Many Christians are flabbergasted and ashamed by Rony Tan's antics. Not all Christian churches preach in that manner. In fact, this is a good opportunity for the moderate Christians to voice out and argue that the Christian community is increasingly inward-looking and it is time for us to engage other religions and civil society in a frank, candid and mature dialogue. This will be a positive step for Singapore society and Christianity.

iii) It is time for NCCS to take a more pro-active role in regulating churches. If not in an official manner, then at least as an influence. With so many churches under its umbrella, it can set the tone and prevent such incidents in the future. It should also be a public face and voice to the majority moderate Christians in Singapore.

iv) We should work towards a community that self-regulates and not one that depends on, or is sub-consciously fearful, of the strong arm of the state. A strong enforcement agency and punitive measures would only restrict the growth of a intelligent, sensitive and respectful Christian community and retard the development of genuine inter-faith dialogue beyond the government orchestrated pleasantries.


http://kentridgecommon.com/?p=6275
Read this to understand Buddhism - not the Rony Tan show.

http://kentridgecommon.com/?p=6261
http://theonlinecitizen.com/2010/02/it-has-only-just-begun/
Read these articles to understand why we should forgive, and most importantly, learn our lesson, and thank those who forgive us so that we can really move towards a frank inter-faith dialogue. Also, why citizens shouldn't be too quick to call for arrest and punitive action.

http://theonlinecitizen.com/2010/02/take-a-stand-for-moderation-liberty-and-genuine-understanding/
Read this to understand a moderate take on the issue and why we should work towards a robust self-regulating community rather than one dependent on a strong hand of the government.

http://sdhammika.blogspot.com/2010/02/pastor-tan-fallout.html
Read this for the views of a esteemed monk and the state of inter-faith dialogue in Singapore.

http://singaporelifetimes.blogspot.com/2010/02/flogging-dead-horse.html
Read this for how cyberspace is sick of Rony Tan. ;p

Rony Tan saga and what it means for Christians

I asked a much older friend, "Why are people still calling for more blood after Rony Tan has apologised, seek forgiveness from Buddhist n Taoist Federation, and basically lose his credibility as a church leader?" The friend replied, because you young people take our inter-religious peace for granted and you dun know the consequence or sensitiivity of a religious leader being charged in open court by govt, moreover the Buddhist and Taoist chiefs have forgiven him...either that or they have benefits outta religious tensions, like arms manufacturers from wars.

In any case, once 'touched' by ISD, you're marked for life, that's what we know during our time, he said. He added with a chuckle that things shouldn't have changed much since we haven't had a change of government since independence when the intelligence department was already very much into politics. A wink he added - means what?? Am I suppose to fear them? haha I only fear God.

By calling for more punishments for Rony and posting the videos of the sermons, we are aggravating the situation as the nameless public or even foreigners might take take this on another spin or see it as an opportunity to further strain the tenuous social fabric. Don't be mistaken, it's very wrong to run the other religion down just to glorify our own. In fact, it is rather distasteful, like bad mouthing about your neighbours and relatives behind closed doors.

But, Christians, instead of feeling remorseful or embarrassed, we should see this as an opening to push forth the need of frank dialogue between the different religions. Yes, we should share part of Rony's blame because we carry the cross too but we shouldn't go into hiding as this is a good chance to share about what Christianity is about - forgiveness and repentance and salvation. We can makan together with individuals of other faiths but do we really know the philosophy behind other religions. If we don't know, how can we fulfill God's and his son's mission to spread the good word?

Like many of you, with the Bible close to my heart and Jesus in my thoughts, I know I hardly need to look further to find the answers. But I too studied Buddhist philosophy, in fact, it is quite an interesting philosophy and it has many similarities like turning the other cheek and de-emphasizing materialism. Sure, you might not agree with the Karma part, but don't run it down and learn to appreciate the other finer parts of Buddhism as a way of life.

Alright, I will write more when I have time, meanwhile I really need to move that mop and broom for spring cleaning. =)

Campaigning a cause on TV

This caught my eye. The Canadian government has allowed a church group to run a pro-life, anti-abortion advertisment titled, "Everyone Against Abortion, Please Raise Your Hand”, on a local TV channel. The video shows an adult hand clutching a hand that belongs to an aborted baby...the message is strong...a life has been truncated when there were many alternative choices.

Would it be possible to buy media advertisment space for a religious cause in Singapore? Afterall, we only have one official media station/company and their declared interests are that of national interests. It would be tricky. Would the financial might of the various stakeholders/camps be crucial in deciding whose views gets publicise more? Or who gets more supporters? It is also interesting that Focus on the Family have had their "advertisements" publicised in the TODAY newspapers several times (but I guess not explicitly stating their stance on issues).

At the end of day, are advertisments strong enough to sway one's moral viewpoints? Or is it a matter of getting people aware of certain issues and presenting a counter argument? Would we be mature enough to take such a debate public? Obviously, in the West, they have been thru a long process of civil activism, they have debated/protested long and hard over sensitive issues and they numerous TV channels where different camps and promote their cause. But, I am of the view that, even if we do it differently here, it is crucial to get our stance and opinions in public.

In our current society where moral standards and values seemed to be a constant flux, it seems inextricably difficult to get good positive message across. And I guess one way we can reach out to people is thru the channels where we can find them, i.e. TV, Internet, Facebook, Blogs etc. If we don't, the battle is only ours to lose. In our small ways, we can be the salt and light of the Lord.

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Canadian group airing pro-life ad on local TV station

Kelowna Right to Life is running a pro-life video ad entitled “Everyone Against Abortion, Please Raise Your Hand” on the local TV station, CHBC, starting today, reports LifeSiteNews.com.

The ad features what the local media is calling a "graphic anti-abortion image" of adult fingers holding the outstretched hand of a baby killed by abortion.

"This is the hand of a child that was aborted," the ad says, "Let us mourn for these children. May our hearts be broken enough for God to enter and stir us to action to defend their lives."

Kelowna Right to Life executive director Marlon Bartram said the airing of the advertisement, which was created by Priests for Life in New York, will likely mark the first time a body part from an aborted child has been shown on television in Canada.

"I am sure there will be people saying that the ads should not be allowed to be run on TV," he told LSN, saying "there is nothing the pro-abortion side would like better than to prevent people from seeing these ads."

However, CHBC's new director, Derek Hinchliffe, told The Province that the ad has been approved by the Television Bureau of Canada. "It has met with their approval, so if we were to say, ‘No, we're not going to run it,’ we would have been offensive," he said.

Bartram said he hopes the ad will show the truth about abortion and encourage people to react in the same manner as people have reacted to the disturbing images of the Haitian earthquake aftermath .

"This is similar to what has been happening since the earthquake in Haiti two weeks ago," Bartram said in a Kelowna News report. "We've been bombarded with images, very real images of what's been happening there. It's hard to look at, but it's important to get the truth out there so we can react appropriately."

Bartram told LSN that the "Raise Your Hand” ad is one of several the group is funding that are aired in rotation and will be broadcast for as long as Kelowna Right to Life has the funds to pay the fees.