21 February 2008

Media silence and the cultivators of hate

An inexplicable, senseless killing hogs the news for days. Another horrific killing is hardly mentioned. Why? Full essay.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am wondering -- how would a 14-year old murderer (or perhaps a 14-year old caught with a hangable amount of cannabis) be prosecuted in Singapore? Could a 14-year old be hanged? Or how severe would the punishment be?

~[z][x]~ said...

"Where they are not alert, you see our churches doing exactly the same thing, again taking a leaf out of the American churches' book. Look closely and you'll see them trotting out "reformed homosexuals" telling lurid tales of their previous "lifestyles" and how the Christian faith was the one and only thing that "saved" them"


This is a ridiculous analogy. To lump crazy extremists calling for the murder of Muslim people with ordinary Christians sharing their religious experience says a lot of your sense of objectivity. Your experience tells you that homosexuality is innate and can't be altered. Fine. You are more than entitled to your view. But why can't these Christians who claim to have been "transformed" be entiteld to theirs and share their own experience too?

As someone who is pro-gay, I am of course naturally sceptical of the claims of these "reformed homosexuals" as much as you are. But at the same time I have to humbly admit that religious faith, whether we subscribe to it or not, has a record of transforming people beyond rational explanation. As such, I do not feel entitled to the moral authority to shut these people up unless I have evidence that they are but homophobic tricksters in disguse, lest truth be denied by my own prejudices.

Moreover, are these Christians forcing their views down your throat? Are they preaching that homosexuals either "convert or be eradicated"? If not, then your rightful and polite response ought to be 'I'm sorry, I am not a Christian. I don't buy your stuff'. Period. You do not have the right to denigrate them, or draw ludicrous analogies that are laughable at best, and immaturely silly at worst.

barrie said...

I have made a rebuttal to your article in my blog in this link.

Anonymous said...

i think s/he could be detained at the president's pleasure.

Anonymous said...

But basically the two are the same religion excepting the prophet parts.Like the Judaism and Mormon too.
To someone who raise up in Asian culture and read all of their religious text as an hobby(post Da Vinci code) which is kind of like a horrifying extended fairy tale harry potter style.
With emphasize on how lowly women are and what to do with a slave????
not to mention the various come upon which always miraculously produce a son.
So back to my point is Why fight just because of one prophet difference?
As for Sodom and it's biblical meaning. The translation for the people there is in fact in Hebrew "qadesh"(google for meaning) could mean whore or shrine prostitute for Canaanite fertility worshipping.
Which coincidentally related to various BC gods like Dionysus.

Anonymous said...

Where they are not alert, you see our churches doing exactly the same thing, again taking a leaf out of the American churches' book. Look closely and you'll see them trotting out "reformed homosexuals" telling lurid tales of their previous "lifestyles" and how the Christian faith was the one and only thing that "saved" them"

That was what exactly what the Rev Lonnie Latham once said.

I don't think this is a ridiculous analogy because "ordinary Christians" in Singapore have a good track record in siding the extremist elements mentioned. What we called as extremist Christians such as FOF are actually mainstream.

When the Americans invaded Iraq, the Benny Hinn Ministries played "onward Christian Soldiers" on a very good video clip showing the army in action. I did not support the war but all my christian friends did!

Anonymous said...

Just a comment for the reader to NOT click on solobear's link to his blog post, unless you want to experience serious cognitive dissonance.

Great post as usual, Alex.

~[z][x]~ said...

Gentle lamb,

""ordinary Christians" in Singapore have a good track record in siding the extremist elements mentioned"

>> What extremist elements?? Can you name a few??


"I did not support the war but all my christian friends did!"

>> Haha. Then you simply have too few Christian friends, my dear. Go visit a church and stop sterotyping please. -_____-


It's always good to have a critical attitude towards Religion, but at least do it when you are more informed/have more sound arguments. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

dear [z][x]

Extremist groups - It was the groups mentioned in the article by Alex but perhaps you may consider mainstream. You mean you did not log into "this is your day" by BHH and know what I am talking about?

Perhaps you have not visit many churches, or read their web sites or listen to their sermons online or grown up in this environment.

Alex's article made some good points, one may not like it, but that does not mean there is a great element of truth in it, disparaging as it may appear.

~[z][x]~ said...

"You mean you did not log into "this is your day" by BHH and know what I am talking about?"

I'm sorry but is the Benny Hinn Ministries even established in the Singapore Christian landscape, which you claimed had extremist elements?


"Alex's article made some good points, one may not like it, but that does not mean there is a great element of truth in it"

Yes there is. But definitely NOT in that analogy drawn. I think many churches today are more ignorant/apathetic towards this issue rather than hateful. And this calls for more understanding and dialogue between both camps, instead of instigating hatred with false analogies against one another. The latter will NOT help the pro-gay cause, and that is why I'm against it.

Anonymous said...

This article reminds me of the movie "Jesus Camp".
http://www.jesuscampthemovie.com/

It also brings to mind the "rationales" in support of retaining 377 raised by certain folks published by the Singapore mainstream media. IMHO, the existence of a law that is not enforced, as "promised" by the nation's leaders, reflects that those in-charge of making/managing the legal statues to be slacking in their responsibility.