In his book Authentic Faith, the Christian teacher Gary Thomas says: “Mourning is a curious thing. A spiritually deadened person mourns over things that should bring celebration – and often celebrates things that should be mourned. In many ways, what we mourn over is a benchmark of our maturity – or at least, of what we hold dear.”
Mourning is not about chanting or banging on drums or paying people to chant on behalf of the dead. Mourning is the deep sorrow or sadness we feel when something hurts us. Christians believe the Kingdom of God is here. Christians believe God, the King, desires justice and good neighbourliness. Anything contrary to justice and good neighbourliness offends God, and causes Christians to mourn – in prayer and in everyday interactions.
As 31st August and the 53rd Anniversary of the Independence of Malaya (Merdeka day) approaches, I’ve listed some things in Malaysia which I believe offend God.
The case of YB Teo Nie Ching, Member of Parliament for Serdang. Ms Teo has been castigated by UMNO politicians including Khairy and Shahrizat for accepting the invitation of Muslim men to enter their own surau, in her own constituency, without wearing a head covering. I am not aware of a single report of any protest by any Muslims then present nor any reports of her being offered a head-covering by anyone then present. The Islamic authorities in the state have “taken over” from the surau committee.
The newspaper which reported this “outrageous act” was the Malay daily, Utusan. It’s sister newspaper, the English daily, the New Straits Times, refused to name Utusan in it’s report on Saturday 28 August. Even quotes attributed to YB Teo are reported as “I think the allegations hurled against me by a local daily is baseless;” and “It is obvious that it (daily) has no better issue to write (about) than to look for ways to run down DAP.” Would she really have said “local daily?” and not Utusan? Why not name Utusan?
Is the story about (a) YB Teo or (b) the surau committee members or (c) a certain brand of journalism or (d) UMNO/BN? Why choose to focus on the guest?
What positions did all these people take when, in 2009, the Catholic Church’s sacrament of Holy Communion was desecrated by two Muslim journalists?
The case of 20 year old Grace Church and it’s pastor Joseph Marcose for planning to stage a play in the Shah Alam Convention Centre. The police accepted a report against the church, seemingly for applying to rent the premises. The report was lodged by the Petaling Perkasa chairman, Zainal Abidin Ahmad. The pastor cancelled the event and is reported to have said “we will co-operate if there are any police investigations.”
Is the story about (a) an insensitive church/pastor or (b) some insecure Muslims or (c) civil rights or (d) UMNO/BN? What rights did the church/pastor trample upon?
The case of Johor school Principal Siti Inshah Mansor, against whom at least 17 police reports have been lodged. She is alleged to have said that “Chinese students … can return to China” and compared the prayer strings worn by Indians to the collars around the necks of dogs/cows. She is alleged to have made these remarks while launching the school’s Merdeka celebrations. No action is to be taken against her.
Is the story about (a) an isolated case not representative of other school heads and teachers, (b) a more “obvious” example of beliefs deeply embedded in heads and teachers, (c) Malay insecurity or (d) the result of BN policies over the last 53 years?
The Teoh Beng Hock inquiry. Over a year after the death of TBH, the Attorney General’s Chambers claims TBH left a suicide note; TBH’s family learns of this note in open court. The Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) claims TBH may have strangled himself to death. The inquiry continues.
I note also the permission given to Lingam and Co. to challenge the findings of a Royal Commission of Inquiry; Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s unchecked vote-buying in Hulu Langat and in Sibu; the continuing Sodomy II trial of Anwar, one of whose prosecutors was/is in a relationship with Anwar’s accuser (who is engaged to another woman); and UMNO/BN’s use of the police to attack those who light candles in public.
Do we mourn over these things? How mature are we?
Rama Ramanathan maintains the blog “Rest Stop Thoughts”.
The Micah Mandate is a Christian-based public interest advocacy ministry that seeks a transformation of our nation through justice, mercy and humility.
September 2nd, 2010 at 10:45 am
contributing my 2 sen for this wake:
wail, moan, lament, put on ashes and sackcloth over
-apathy when peeks into the heart of darkness bring no horror but acquiescence and circumlocution
-cowering in acceptable worldly gear not fear so positions are safeguarded
-hence playing to the gallery when pushed to make stands; not just public or world, but that of flesh and the devil who as usual is the best tutor for making pleasant speeches and looking after self)
-God and seeking his ways, are out of the picture; if he is, it’s cosmetic to embellish stands and stances of the popular mould
(how one reads as a fellow follower of jesus christ in the context of where malaysia is at today, but acknowledging those who do not belong in my list of laments)