Francis' Open Christian Letter

Here's an interesting letter that has been published by Malaysiakini. It's a well-reasoned letter but the jury is out whether the Church will "give an inch" and later a "foot"... Personally, I like the term "Yakweh" better.

Francis sounds like someone I once knew-not personally though- who was once a well-known journalist in this region...

The ‘Allah’ issue in Herald

Much has been written and debated about the ‘Allah’ issue this week. I think this is a ‘non issue’ right from the beginning.

Unlike the ‘crucifix’ which is the supreme symbol of Christianity that all Christians should protect and uphold, using the word ‘Allah’ is something Christians can do without and easily give way if certain quarters feel offended by it.

Let me attempt a suggestion to resolve the matter as a Catholic in total loyalty and obedience to the Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, to whom the Herald permit is issued to.

My fellow Catholics and some of the more vocal members of the clergy can debate and argue with the Internal Security Ministry till kingdom come over the usage of ‘Allah’. But that is not going to resolve the matter.

If everything happen for a reason, then there must be a reason why the ‘Allah’ issue came up over this Christmas season of peace, compassion and forgiveness.

Lim Kit Siang (peace to our ever vocal Mr Opposition) has urged Pak Lah to overrule Deputy Minister Johari Baharom and rescind his ministry’s order to Herald to discontinue its Bahasa Malaysia section “so that Christmas Day this year will not be celebrated under a cloud of burgeoning religious intolerance.”

But the issue does not call for a political solution. Rather than stating that Catholics are unhappy and Christmas this year is “celebrated under a cloud of burgeoning religious intolerance”, we should instead prove to others that Catholics are indeed a very tolerant people.

Here, let me exhort my fellow Catholics in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur to heed the request of the Internal Security Ministry and refrain from using the word ‘Allah’ henceforth in its publication. Just continue with the old fashion ‘God’ and ‘Lord’ which is perfectly understood by all. Then, there is the alternative of using the Hebrew/Jewish ‘Yahweh’ or the Latin ‘Deus’.

At times, it’s better to show and prove just how tolerant Christians in this country are. It’s not an act of cowardice or fear of speaking the truth. It’s all about the true Christian spirit - “when you are slapped on the left cheek, turn to the right one if you know that you’ve done nothing wrong”.

Working as a journalist for a good part of my adult life, allow me also to advise the editors at the Herald to practise ‘sensible journalism’. I’ve come to accept long ago that ‘responsible journalism’ in this country means that editors also have to be politically correct at all times.

‘Sensible journalism’ is about toeing the line of those who think they are powerful and almighty - allow them to think so as long as we know deep in our hearts that the Herald is about serving the Heavenly Lord and continuing to bring the Good News to all who believe.

If the permit is still there and Catholics can continue to have access to news and views about the local church via the Herald, what is the point in prolonging a non issue as the usage of ‘Allah’.

Remember, 'responsible journalism' in this country means being politically correct at all times and if we cannot agree on political correctness, then the option is 'sensible journalism' which allows others to think they are powerful and almighty as long as we can continue with our religious duties which is paramount.

It’s okay to let a few holier-than-thou guys in the Internal Security Ministry win. Our greater service is to our Lord, Master and Saviour.

So Pak Lah, this is the truth from a Christian as far as these recent controversies go. You are noted as a deeply religious person - so make me, a Christian, believe in your fairness and justice, Pak Lah just as a Muslim would believe in those virtues of Allah.

FRANCIS SIAH is a RC (Roman(tic) Catholic) who finds much joy in romancing with his God, Lord, Yahweh and Deus (no Allah, never mind). He can be reached at francis@malaysiakini.com

An Outraged Girl

The following angry retort excerpt was by a Malay girl who's presently studying in a mission school who was visibly upset with the outrageous insensitive remarks by two government Barisan Members of Parliament demanding the removal of Christian crosses in schools and the baseless accusation that the Roman Catholic Vatican controlled the mission schools in Malaysia.

To read more, go to "Dramatic Musings"

This is going to be a semi-political post that might or might not get me thrown into ISA but I am willing to take the risk because I am pissed off. Indeed, I am.

I have long given up in reading the newspapers and watching the news because in Malaysia, democracy is just a charade and the media is a political propaganda tool. There's nothing more to elaborate there. To keep myself updated what I do is I peruse through these political blogs and read about the news written by bloggers with credibility. Today I stumbled across this over at Malaysians says the darnest things! and it pissed the hell out of me.

Apparently in the Parliament, some exceedingly brilliant gentleman, the representative of Parit Sulong (where?) have nothing to do with his time and nothing to do in his community that he had to point out that mission schools in Malaysia, such as Convent, La Salle and Methodist have crosses and statues representing the Christian faith in them. These crosses and statues must be demolished.

Well no shit Sherlock.
Its called mission schools. Built by the British back when they invaded Malaya.

Also he pointed out that these schools have strong Christian influences and apparently sing "church songs" during school assembly.(FYI: Those are hymns, not songs). And shock and horror!!- apparently Malay-Muslim parents send their children to these school as well!! What is the world coming to?!!

Then his sidekick, an even more incredible genius of a man, the representative from Sri Gading (bitch, again - from where?) have to butt in and mentioned that apparently "a father have alerted him that these missionary schools are not close during Raya". Raya is Eid Mubarak; as in the main festival celebrated by Muslims. Bear in mind, Malaysia is an Islamic nation.

Not close during Raya? Right....

Ok listen up geniuses, I am a Malay woman. A Muslim-Malay woman and my parents sent me to be educated in SRK. Convent Klang and then, oh nooo they didn't stop there. They then sent me to my high school: SMK. Convent Klang. That's right bitch, I'm a Convent girl. A Muslim-Malay woman educated the Convent way.

When I went there, there was never a moment where we were made to sing...what did you called it again...right "church songs" during assembly. We did read prayers but it was the Islamic prayer that we read weekly at the assembly while the other students who weren't Muslims stood in silence of respect to it. Did they other students have parents alerting the Parliament members about how the have to stand in silence when the Muslims were saying their prayers? No. Perhaps its a little thing called religious sensitivity or maybe because they were shit scared of idiots like you who are in the Parliament talking about Islamic supremacy.

Also calling into the demolishing of the crosses and Christianity artifacts. Where I went to school, we no longer have a church in it. The church have been converted into the hall and where the altar where the people used to pray, a stage have built over it. There were no crosses at all though on the walls where they used to hang, one can see the outline of Jesus Christ. When the school was repainted, all that gone missing. So what is there to demolish? We do have a giant cross in front of the school but it never bothered us. It is a part of the British/Malaya heritage, it is a part of Malaysian history. Demolish that? Demolish a part of our country's history just because you are an uneducated prick that have no religious tolerance?

F**k you.

You are not above history.

And then about the 'Raya' comment....Dude, that shit is not just stupid. It is BEYOND stupid, I don't even have a word to comment on that because seriously, you have created a whole new level of stupidity here. What kind of BS is that, that the school is not closed during Raya? You think that there would be no heavy media coverage of that if that ever happened? Stop talking mindless shit. It is embarrassing. If anything at all, Convent gave more holidays. We get day off during Good Friday while the other kids go to their non-mission school. You don't hear no one complaining because who would say no to a day off?

Oh look ma! Christian architecture! Tear down the school now!

These mission schools, Convent, La Salle and so on and so forth are not just schools. They are historical landmarks that have been around before Malaysia achieved her independence, back when she was Malaya instead of Malaysia. The fact that they have Christian identity is undeniable because the title itself is 'mission schools'. Demolishing them or trying to hide their identity is stupid because the very act itself is telling us to turn our back on history. The fact that so-called Parliament members have to make up stories to make these schools as if it is out there to convert students are false and unfounded. Further more it is also offensive and hurtful for those who have been in those walls and know such accusations are false.

The Constantly Dramatic One is all about school pride after all.

Religion is a set of beliefs. You choose what to believe. Just because you think your religion is better than other peoples' does not give you the right to condemn and push your religion onto them.

Last time I checked, we promote this country to the outside world as a country where people of different races live harmoniously and without conflict. Last time I checked, we are a country that is proud of our religious diversity and sensitivity. Last time I checked, this country wasn't run by a bunch of idiots with the Taliban-mentality.

But we all know that's all bullshit right?

Pope John Paul's Spirit?

This amazing story has not appeared in Malaysia's local mainstream news so I'm including an excerpt of it.
Is it really the spirit of a beloved messenger of God? The story appeared in London's Daily Mail dated October 7, 2007:

Is this Pope John Paul II waving from beyond the grave? Vatican TV director says yes

By NICK PISA - More by this author » Last updated at 21:21pm on 15th October 2007

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This fiery figure is being hailed as Pope John Paul II making an appearance beyond the grave.

The image, said by believers to show the Holy Father with his right hand raised in blessing, was spotted during a ceremony in Poland to mark the second anniversary of his death.

Details appeared on the Vatican News Service, a TV station in Rome which specialises in religious news broadcasts.

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