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