I have been attending Cathechism (for Catholics) since I was
old enough to read, and would be at best, an average Catholic.....
Therefore, IMHO, the Church should keep out of politics, and the Politicians too should keep out of churches (if they want to preach) fulfilling one's religious duties is a different matter.
The church is the house of god, and please keep god in mind,
not DAP, or PR, BN or UMNO!
-Tony Yew, Church in Politics or Politics in Church?
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Big Dog has gone to town with his pack of lies in his blogpost- Rampas kedudukan Islam wujud?.
Never mind the Dog- I'm more interested in the misguided, "god-fearing" Tony Yew who has a very peculiar brand of "spirituality" here. FYI- Tony is now BigDog's "Christian" poster-boy .... according to the lying BigDog, apparently, "even the Non Malays/Muslims are complaining of this unhealthy trend."
Tony Yew blames the lies by “Big Dog” and Utusan Malaysia's inflammatory headlines on “civil activism” ….. i.e. Fr. Paulino standing up for the persecution of ISA detainees, Fr. OC Lim's prayer for the Supremacy of the Federal Constitution (& the cessation of the subtle religious persecutions which have been taking place) and even YB Khalid, Teresa Kok and Haris Ibrahim for disputing Perkasa's stand that he's is a second-class citizen in “his church”!!
He calls himself a "devout Christian". That's fine by me.....
However, he believes that those fighting for justice are to be blamed for the deceit propagated by the government. He believes that explaining the political persecution faced by the rakyat, and defending the weak, “corrupts” his spirituality ….In other words, he believes that the free expression of dissent, is the cause of deceitful propaganda, persecution, or tyranny!!!
That means- these social evils are there, simply because you objected to it!!! I don't think things can get any more twisted than that ... ("Tony- what you smokin', bro? Care to share?)
He condemned those pastors who made statements in support of social justice in church. He condemned those who have gone out on the street to protest against the tyranny against another fellow human being.He believes that Church is supposed to be the "House of God"/ House of Prayer" , and pastors should just be parrots who rattle out incoherently pretending that they are "serving God", and nothing else.
Now let's examine the premises upon which he built that high pedestal (the “god-fearing Christian”) upon which he has placed himself ….
Is Tony Yew saying that it was an "unChristian" thing to do, when Fr. Paulino walked in protest against the evil of ISA? Or when Haris refused to agree that he was a “second-class citizen”? Or when Khalid came around speaking justice? Or when Fr. OC Lim prayed for the Supremacy of the Federal Constitution?
Does he think it is a very Christian thing to turn a blind eye to social injustice?
I can almost hear him say, "Oh, but this is different- as priests, their job is to just conduct masses, do the confessions & indulge in the rituals for the benefit of the church to go on worshiping in peace. And politicians should come around speaking to their electorate in “my church”, because it is the House of God"
Tony, I don't mean to be judgmental- but just maybe, you need to reexamine your "faith" as described in your post. Please get to know of the difference between "religiosity" & "spirituality". Look it up, mate.
From what you've written, your definition of "Christianity" and "Church" is actually limited to the definition of the religiosity- which is exactly what people like the Big Dog (and his political masters) would like you to believe, being "god-fearing" is all about.
(Just go & ask the Perkasa types, Tony- they'll tell you that you're on the right track in your faith!!)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Is spirituality a part of religion or distinct from it?
Is it impossible to be spiritual without being religious?
Conversely, is it possible to be religious without being spiritual?
Spirituality may be broadly defined as personal relationship
of an individual to a state of mind,
being or place outside of the experience of our five senses.
And it emphasizes a deeper understanding of life and the sacred.
For most Christians, spirituality involves developing
a personal relationship and experience with Jesus Christ
through prayer, meditation, or Bible reading.
However, this is a narrow definition of spirituality
because it does not make any references to life,
as if Christians live in a vacuum.
In other words, what is missing from the definition
is the element of practicality---
how one lives one’s spiritual life in a sociological world characterized
with a web of relationships and interrelationships with people.
~Religiosity vs. Spirituality
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It appears that his "spirituality" is limited to parroting words (poetically into pretty little prayers) and the rituals associated with it. (I cannot be certain, but) he appears to believe that being a "god-fearing Christian" means, that he should as a "catholic" only entails in reciting prayers, making donations to church, indulging in penances/rituals and "being peacefully apathetic" to the social injustices that takes place around him. (It reminds me of someone I once knew back in my younger days, who used to go to temple & roll on the ground in penance- then go back to her slutty ways the very next day.... ha ha!)
BUT- he want a nice building for church, in a nice location, and processions to parade his faith to the world..... and we should be very hush-hush in church, unless we wish to bribe God for favours or maybe indulge in some spiritual masturbation which would result in "peace". Maybe he even believes that if not for the building where he goes to indulge in his religiosity, his God would end up being homeless on the streets. Probably plenty of bling-blings added to the architecture of the church would make his god sleep better & even strengthen Tony Yews faith too.
Just sharing, Tony – I don't believe that when Jesus said “I am the truth, way & the life”, he meant it about him physically- but the spirit & the values he stood for. No amount of worshipping him would mean anything, if you did not get that part right. Please know that there is such a thing called “extra-ordinary salvation”.
This is my perspective spirituality & true worship ...
You cannot just do it in church- God doesn't need your prayers, offering/bribe of your 10sen, nor your judgements on values preached in the homily. God doesn't need that.
True worship, is when you can translate the values which you are supposed to believe in, to your daily life. True worship is when you work with anyone who believes in "Universal values". True worship is when you are willing to die for a friend- and there can be no greater love than this.
Anything less, and you'd fall short in the spirituality which was preached by Jesus. You'd be nothing more than the Pharisee who dressed in garbs, indulged in rituals, ignored social justice .... And remember- they too, condemned Jesus for his activism for social justice ....
To me, I believe that the doctrine of "separation of state & religion" is confined to partisan politics & Government. I believe that it is imperative that we (more so the church leaders) support social justice in word & deed (transcending partisan politics) to be conscientious Christians- not just parrot prayers or dance around town in a procession/freak-show, to grease your ego.
One is being hypocritical at best, when one tries to project that he is a "faithful Catholic"- and yet deplore the church's demand for social justice & Constitutional religious rights.
I find it strange that your "spirituality" ignores the need for efforts towards educating the people on social justice. Worse still, you even go to the extent of condemning the shepherds who do their Christian duty in guiding their flock on the morality of it all.
Instead, you are more interested in a procession around Shah Alam to parade to the world your faith, while you ignore your moral obligation to share the pains which your brothers suffer.
If you were to ask me, going by Tony's standards, I don't think I'd categorize myself as much of a "god-fearing Christian"- not by a long shot, bro! I don't place much premium on the dogma/rituals attached to religiosity.
It is nice to know though, that you have such confidence in your faith.
Take care.
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“Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord
shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;
but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord,
have we not prophesied in thy name,
and in thy name have cast out devils,
and in thy name done many wonderful works?”
~Mat 7:21-22
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