“We urge Malaysians of all various religions to be more sensitive about sensitivity to other religions.”
Let us all be frank enough to attempt a serious, open discussion: I think that there exists a thin line between being tolerant (or as Chua Soi Lek puts it, “sensitive”) and being submissive.
The position of religious tolerance is one that accepts and understands the needs of the other faiths. That includes being “sensitive” to the difficulties of other people – the punished resort manager being the best recent personification of such ideals.
Clearly, some politicians do not understand that the resort manager is already “sensitive about sensitivity to other religions”.
Why else would someone freely lend (albeit temporarily) their own place of worship to people who require it urgently? Isn’t this an example of sensitivity at its purest?
To make matters worse – Chua also adds: “… the Islamic leaders should be referred to and respected before everyone gives comments”. Nonsense!
With all due respect to all honourable Muslims and their leaders, this sort of belief only serves to perpetuate the dominance of the LOUD touchy politico-religious groups. For in this way, their voices become far more important and powerful than everyone else’s.
The laypeople have to be particularly careful so as to not offend these touchy vocal groups who want to assert their power and authority (over an atypical member who does not conform to their elitist ideals and “other” religious practises). There is, after all, a limit to their benevolence.
What a way of saying that some people are just made to submit to the dominance of another.
By saying that “MCA asks all quarters to respect Islam as the official religion and at the same time, all citizens have freedom of religion”, Chua is insinuating that “we are all (questionably) free to choose our religion, but please understand that Islam is at a superior position, and we need to make way for the one that is above even those who are equal”.
It strongly reminds me of a line in George Orwell’s Animal Farm, where the ruling powers decree that “all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others”.
I don’t proclaim to know the truth of this world and I remain open to the possibility that either (or neither) one of us is right. This is precisely why we need to engage and discuss.
If the LOUD touchy politico-religious individuals (e.g. Irwan Fahmi) do feel that allowing the Buddhists to use the surau is indeed “something that is unacceptable”, please, feel free to illustrate why using theology and reason. If the people are convinced, you would be able to obtain the support that you need.
Perhaps it would be fine if we left it at the NATO stage.
Unfortunately, these LOUD undemocratic fellows detained the owner of the resort for four days. Instead of being rewarded, the generous and religiously righteous has had to suffer retribution.
An equal share of responsibility has to be taken by the silent ones, that is, the Buddhists. The Buddhist association has expressed regret over its members’ transgressions, but this is in no way adequate. It has to speak up and call for mercy and justice towards the Muslim who was kind towards others.
The olive branch for multi-faith reconciliation (in Umno-BN terms) was already extended by the resort manager. Silence is akin to shoving the kind gesture back into his face.
This silence amidst loud oppression is cause enough for me to speak in an “ignorant” manner and out of line.
To not speak up against this injustice, my friends (Muslims and non-Muslims alike), is to insult the individual who has done his utmost to uphold a basic tenet – to love his neighbour, regardless of their perceived differences.
The ability to empathise with another is an admirable quality, and certainly a principle worth upholding, regardless of your religious background.
I pose just one question to my readers: Will you be sensitive to the needs of a person unjustly arrested, or to the “touchy-sensitivity” of other religious individuals? You decide which seems to be the more sensible answer. – August 17, 2013.
Deliberating Politics in Malaysia 