Tan Tarn How, policy researcher in the Institute of Policy Studies, tells TODAY:
“I don’t think you should have complete freedom of speech on Internet, even though it is very hard to police. The existence of these things (hate videos and speech) is problematic. But if its roundly condemn by society, especially institutions and opinion leaders, there is a vaccine against the virus of hate speech. The opinion of society is very critical, not just of individuals but opinion leaders and institutions. Unfortunately, it seems churches are keeping silent on this. This has become Buddhist criticising Christians, but rather should be Christians criticising this pastor. This would be a more potent weapon against such talk. It is a failure that media do not go out and talk to churches and seek their responses. Of course, the Buddhists will be angry.
I want to another point. Unfortunately, it seems to get the small guys and let the opinion leaders relatively free with an apology. The right approach is, if he is an opinion leader, he ought to be more severely dealt with than if he is just a small individual. The opinion leader has more influence. I think the pastor is let off too lightly.” [Emphasis mine; read more of Tan Tarn How's views here and here.]
The above interview was given by Tan Tarn How to TODAY in the wake of the first part of the Rony Tan saga (featuring the anti-Buddhism/Taoism remarks) but I think what he said applies to the Rony Tan vs Gays incident too — the churches are way too silent.
It is time for moderate Christians to stand up and disavow themselves from all the infactual insults made by Rony Tan against the Buddhist, Taoist and gay people of Singapore. Then and only then can the healing begin.
In Singapore’s fight against terror, moderate Muslims were encouraged to speak up and distance themselves from the likes of Osama bin Laden and Jemaah Islamiyah. That has proven to work very well (I think).
Of course I’m not saying here that Rony Tan is like Osama or JI, but the principle remains the same — when a small group of people hijack the faith and make the headlines for all the wrong sorts of reasons, then it’s time for the silent majority to speak up and say, “We do not accept this. This sort of behaviour is incompatible with our faith.”
That time has come. Will they?
Tags: Christianism, Christianity, Islam, Lighthouse Evangelism, religion, Rony Tan, Singapore, Tan Tarn How
[...] How: Comments to media on allegedly racist Facebook and Rony Tan cases Part [1] [2] - Kennethism: Tan Tarn How: The churches are silent [Thanks Kenneth] - Kennethism: Pastor Yang Tuck Yoong of Cornerstone Community Church agrees with [...]
When I viewed Rony Tan’s videos denigrating and making fun of Buddhist and hurling HATE against Gays and Lesbians I thought to myself what a Diabolical Man using his God to slender others….
I thought to myself this Evil Man is undoing all the Good Deeds of the Other Christian Leaders and Christians from the other Sects. and Denominations. To me He is a Christian Taliban (a religious terrorist)…and should be locked up like Mat Selamat.
Strangely none of the Moderate Christians have come out to defend themselves which lends credence to this Evil Man’s tirades. Time the Ordinary and average Christian Leaders speak up for true Christians.
Yes he should be locked up.
Naturally no response since you are calling to moderate Christians (which you called average and ordinary) which there are few. If you find a large moderate church, do tell us.
The ordinary and average Christians in SG is very conservative and right wing. Being moderate and liberal is highly abnormal and not popular at all in Singapore.
Maybe it’s harder to get bums on seats if you’re being moderate and loving, rather than populist and right wing. Better cash flow in playing to myths and misconceptions, and peoples’ existing prejudices, than actually listening to what scientists, gay people, and their supporters have to say.
Also, pastors who are more accepting of gays can get fired for not toeing the line.
This is from a BBC article about a few brave Christians standing against the violent and murderous religiously inspired homophobia in Africa; this pastor is in Kenya. He reminds me of a similar loving pastor in Singapore; it’s a shame such people are so rare:
‘Love, not hate’
There are small pockets of resistance within the religious community - but theirs is a hard fight.
Reverend Michael Kimundu served the Anglican Church in Mtwapa, Kenya, for 30 years.
To make his point, one gay Ugandan did a news conference in a paper bag
But recently the Church expelled him because leaders found out that he headed a religious organisation called The Other Sheep, which preaches tolerance towards gay people.
“I am a preacher I should be spreading love, not hate - that is why I don’t believe in treating the homosexual community with disdain,” he says.
“My Church didn’t want to be associated with such beliefs.
“Because of my stance I have had many people accuse me and many of the pastors I work with of being gay because we refuse to let this injustice continue.”
Rev Kimundu says he has not had an income for some months, but says his sacking was a blessing.
“I’m free to minister and give counselling to whoever I want to now without worrying what conflict it will cause with my leaders,” he says.
“Educating the community and breaking the myths about homosexuality is my calling.”
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8528409.stm
The paper bag comment is from elsewhere, under a photo, not to do with this guy…error in cutting and pasting.
“..it’s time for the silent majority to speak up and say, “We do not accept this. This sort of behaviour is incompatible with our faith.””
“That time has come. Will they?”
Yes, many of them spoke up. Comments from Temasekreview (whose readers are mostly left-wingers) have very mixed responds.. Many spoke up to back RT’s derogatory wayang towards LGBTs. Luckily, amongst them, there are also quite a few apathetic and some even supporting.
Anonymous faceless commenters are a no-count.
Why are the bishops, pastors and leaders still silent?
Kennethism
reality is sad but simple. Condemning homosexual is a sure way to fire up congregations to achieve whatever goal that needs to be achieved.
what happened when the threat of homosexuals are gone? idol worshipers ? (too scary to imagine the rest)
I do agree that Singaporeans, in general, should be less cowardly and more daring to take a stand based on their beliefs/logic. Nobody can assume what does silence actually means and most people seem to take advantage of this ambiguity.