Allah can’t be substituted with Tuhan in Bible translation

Muslims in other parts of the world (Arabs, Persians, North Africans, Pakistanis and Indonesians) have no objection and are not worried about getting confused when Christians using the word “Allah”. In contrast, some Malaysian Muslims claim to be confused; a strange phenomenon indeed.

By Dr Ng Kam Weng (Sin Chew Daily)

This observation lends credence to the suggestion that the Allah issue is an artificial Malay issue and not a genuine Muslim issue. The truth is that the current orchestrated protests against the recent High Court decision to allow the Catholic Herald (and Christians) to use the word Allah must be seen to be as cynical manipulations by Malay politicians to gain votes from their community.

I am more interested in going beyond these political manoeuvres. Politicians (and that includes government bureaucrats) are happy just to stay at the level of vague suggestions since they have no competence nor care to address real issues of translation. In contrast, Christians must ensure their arguments for the right to use the word Allah are based on concrete evidence supported by a coherent linguistic philosophy of translation of Scripture.

One major demand from the Malay protestors is that Christians stop using the word Allah on grounds that Christians can find a simple alternative, that is, simply substitute the word Allah with the word Tuhan. Unfortunately, this demand only betrays the ignorance of the protestors.

I would have thought that any Malay would know that the meaning of the words Allah (God) and Tuhan (Lord, Rabb) are not the same. How can they suggest that Christians simply use the word Tuhan to substitute the word Allah? To express the issue linguistically, Allah and Tuhan have different senses even though they have the same reference.

Both the terms Allah and Tuhan are used in the Malay Bible. Following the precedent set by Arab Christians, Allah is used to translate el/elohim and Tuhan (or TUHAN in caps) is used to translate Yahweh (YHWH). The two words are sometimes paired together as Yahweh-Elohim in 372 places in the Old Testament (14 times in Genesis 2-3; 4 times in Exodus; 8 times in Joshua; 7 times in 2 Samuel; 22 times in Chronicles; 12 times in Psalms; 32 times in Isaiah; 16 times in Jeremiah and 210 times in Ezekiel, etc.).

More importantly, the word Tuhan is also applied to Jesus Christ in the New Testament. Thus we read of the LORD Jesus as Tuhan Yesus (The word LORD was used to translate the word kurios 8,400 times in the Septuagint, the Greek version of the Old Testament. It refers to human beings in only 400 times and refers to God 8,000 times. Of these 8,000 times, 6,700 are substitute for the word YHWH). The transference of the title kurios LORD/YHWH to Jesus Christ is testimony to the belief in the deity of Christ right at the beginning of Christianity.

This simple statistical survey shows clearly that the demand by Muslim demonstrators that Christians simply substitute the word Allah with Tuhan is unreasonable since it renders many Biblical references to God and Jesus Christ incoherent. First, the substitution is incorrect since the meaning of Allah and Tuhan are different.

Second, it creates an absurd situation when Christians try to translate the paired words Tuhan Allah (LORD God). Are Christians now required to call the LORD God, Tuhan Tuhan? This sounds like committing linguistic redundancy. Worse still, the repeated words Tuhan Tuhan come across to Malay readers as suggesting that Christians believe in a plurality of Lords/Gods (since the plural form in Malay is expressed by repeating the noun and setting them in apposition).

Finally, Christians are unable to express the Lordship of Jesus Christ as one who is distinct from the Father and yet shares with the God of the Old Testament, the name that is above every other name — kurios/Tuhan (Philippians 2:9, cf. Isaiah 45:23). In other words, Christians are rendered unable to affirm the deity of Jesus Christ and teach the doctrine of Trinity without the foundational words that maintain the semantic relationship between the words Allah and Tuhan as they are applied distinctively in the Malay Bible.

Christians in Malaysia would do their utmost to maintain religious harmony in Malaysia. Indeed, the Christianity community has made many concessions to accommodate the concerns of the Malay community.

However, it cannot accept the demand that it abandons the use of the word Allah and adopts the word Tuhan as the substitute simply because some ill-informed Malays take offence at their practice — an offence which would not have arisen if only these people set aside emotions and prejudices and examine the historical and linguistic evidence in a calm and rational manner. At the very least, Malays (or rather Muslims) should understand that believers are not at liberty to change the meaning of their Scriptures, the word of God, to satisfy the unfounded scruples of man.

Postscript

I refer readers to the accompanying post, “Translating the Names of God” published in the learned journal (The Bible Translator) that gives more concrete examples of how the names of God are translated in the Malay Bible.

The article also discusses the controversy among some scholars on how words Allah and Tuhan should be used in the revision of Shellabear’s version of the Malay Bible. In any case, all the scholars in the controversy agree that Christians need to use both the words Allah and Tuhan in the Malay Bible. Please note that the article is reproduced (partially) with permission from the author Dr D Soesilo.

What? Malaysian? Welcome to Umno-Land, Buddy!

A Letter to Lim Kit Siang

Dear Mr. Lim Kit Siang,

I have utmost respect and admiration for your tenacity in remaining in Malaysia to champion the cause of justice and equality and fight for a Bangsa Malaysia.

My heart broke when I read about your article regarding the honest cyber cafe operator especially when he wondered if he ‘had chosen the wrong country’ to start and operate his business.

I see my situation summed up in that phrase. You have said before that the best and brightest are leaving this country. Well, I am making every preparation to leave. I have consistently scored straight As in every public exam and placed among the top 3 of my form. In university, I studied medicine and am among the top scorers. I have just graduated and scored near perfect results in a medical licensing examination that will enable me to work abroad and further my studies.

I was born a Malaysian yet I cannot see myself as a Malaysian. As a Chinese, I feel that I am being discriminated against. I feel that the government is trying its hardest to sideline me just because of my race. I look around and see this discrimination manifested in various forms. From the issue regarding religious conversion to the allocation of places in local universities, the stench of discrimination is sickening.

It was horrifying to note in my batch of medical students, there were a substantial number of malay students who actually did not apply for medicine but were sent to study it. It is disgusting to think that many STPM straight A scorers are deprived of a chance to study medicine while the government gives the places to people who are not even sure that they want to study medicine.

I have seen how racial politics sully the environment in the university and how unqualified people are in high posts at the expense of far more intelligent and qualified individuals just because they are Malay. I have heard the terrible statements made by delegates at the recent UMNO General Assembly about revoking my citizenship rights should I question their special rights.

I have seen the videos on YouTube where UMNO MPs have the audacity to ask us to ‘keluar’ of the country if we don’t like what they are doing to it. And I see the pathetic attempt by the PM to ‘discipline’ these racists. I hate the fact that Gerakan and MCA have done NOTHING to fight for my rights instead of just kow-towing to UMNO for their own gains.

Patriotism isn’t about singing the national anthem or raising the flag. It isn’t about accepting at face value everything the government says. It isn’t about attending merdeka celebrations. It is about feeling accepted as part of your nation. It is about knowing that your nation accepts you as a son or daughter. It is about realizing that being a part of a nation entails certain responsibilities. That is my definition of patriotism.

And right now, as a Malaysian, I am feeling anything BUT patriotic. 50 years of independence? So what? What has it done for me? Whoopee. I have a chance to change my life. I will change my destiny. I could not choose the country where I was born but I can very well choose the country that I will swear my allegiance to. I want a country that will recognize me as a citizen and grant me rights equal to that of all other citizens. I want a country that has the wisdom to recognize my potential and talents and reward me accordingly. I want a country where the government fears its people and conducts itself in a manner worthy of respect and honor.

This is not my nation. I am leaving. Mr. Lim, I salute you and all those like you who can find the strength and energy to fight for an ungrateful bunch of people. How many actually held mass protests, hunger strikes or rose up to defend you and your family when you or your son was imprisoned for fighting for us? How many did more than just shake their heads and move on with their petty little lives? None that I know of. Yet you continue to defend their rights.

You are an amazing man, Mr. Lim and I truly admire you for that. Unfortunately, I have a bright future ahead and I will not waste it in this country. It is not my nation.

Thank you for fighting the good fight.

(Author’s name withheld for privacy)

The Great Holes of the World

1. Kimberley Big Hole - South Africa

Apparently the largest ever hand-dug excavation in the world, this 1097-meter-deep mine yielded over three tons of diamonds before being closed.

2. Glory Hole - Monticello Dam, California

This is the Glory Hole at Monticello Dam, and it's the largest in the world of this type of spillway, its size enabling it to consume 14,400 cubic feet of water every second.
A glory hole is used when a dam is at full capacity and water needs to be drained from the reservoir.

3. Great Blue Hole , Belize

This incredible geographical phenomenon known as a blue hole is situated 60 miles off the mainland of Belize .
There are numerous blue holes around the world but none as stunning as this one.

4. Sinkhole in Guatemala

This photo is of a sinkhole that occurred February 2007 in Guatemala .
It swallowed two dozen homes and killed at least
three people.

5. Not to be outdone, in its Malaysia Boleh Spirit,
we have Putrajaya- the most famous RAT-Hole.

It is capable of swallowed Billions of Tax Payers Money annually,
never to be seen again - and continues to do so!
It is the brainchild of the biggest Malaysian Asshole
and is reputed to house at least 1000 rats & ass"holes".

Happy New Year 2010!

2009 has been a very 'exciting' year politically,
though with more disappointments from Umno.
Just too many scandals,
open challenges to the Umno machinery,
ideas and norms
- all from which, they chickened out shamelessly,
and resorted to boorish behaviour & intimidation.
The people, despite the hard times,
have persevered in dictating to the politicians.
The coming year will be tough for all, except the cronies of Umno.
Change will be tough, slow and painful.
Let us keep up the pressure to help this lovely country,
become a true Nation for real.
Happy New Year 2010!!

MURDER, SHE SAID!!!

Teoh Beng Hock murdered

Tue, Dec 29, 2009

National

KUALA LUMPUR: Teoh Beng Hock was murdered. Top Thai pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand (picture) has sufficient evidence to prove that he was killed.

The Parti Keadilan Rakyat organ, Suara Keadilan, reports in its latest edition that her forensic report will be presented at the January 7 inquest into Teoh’s untimely death.

The weekly quotes unnamed Health Ministry sources as saying that Pornthip reached her conclusion after a second postmortem at the Sungai Buloh hospital.

The report adds that Pornthip has made known her findings to all relevant groups, including the Teoh family and the Selangor government, which commissioned her services.

Teoh (picture) was the political secretary to Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah. Yong is the Seri Kembangan assemblyperson and a member of DAP, a member party of the ruling coalition in Selangor.

On 15 July, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), investigating allegations of misappropriation of state allocations, raided Yong’s office. Teoh was questioned as a witness at the Selangor MACC office later that day.

At about 1.30pm the following day, a janitor found Teoh’s sprawled body on the fifth floor of the building.

The coroner’s court allowed Teoh’s remains be exhumed on Nov 21 for a second-post mortem.

Earlier in October Pornthip told coroner Azmil Mustapha Abas that based on photographs of his remains, she was 80 percent sure that Teoh was murdered.

The second autopsy was witnessed by British pathologist Prof Dr Peter Venezis acting for MACC, Dr Khairul Azman Ibrahim and Dr Prashant Naresh Samberkar.

Oh No -Not the Umno's "Social Contract" Hogwash Again!!

The following was my comment (with minor editing) to Art Harun's well written "An open reply to Dr Mohd Ridhuan Tee Abdullah".

"government is not a matter of natural rights or social contract,
as in many forms of liberalism. Forms of government are, rather,
to be judged according to "utility in the largest sense,
grounded on the permanent interest of man as a progressive being"
~ on J.S. Mill's "On Liberty"

Well said, Art - if only more Muslim/Malay politicians could rise up to fight for reason, Malaysia would definitely be a better place. This of course is too much to expect (especially when we have a "Mr. Cakap Omputih" as the spokesperson of the ruling govt).

The point that Tee fella (and many other so-called Umno/Ulama aligned pseudo-intellectuals/Ulama, mind you) is making is simply this -

"I don't give a F%$*ing rats ass if I'm said to be right, wrong or stupid-
all that matters is that I support my paymasters. Period."

These are people who have renounced all common sense, to serve their masters.

For reason to get through, they'll need far more than the lonely voices of reason from people such as you, Haris, RPK, YB Khalid Samad (yes- one of those rare voices of reason in PAS ... but where are the Ulamas?) etc.
The established "defenders of Islam" in Pakatan Rakyat, don't seem to make much of a whimper on issues of the fascist "Ketuanan Melayu" ideas, especially when in touches on "stolen advantages" to their benefit - albeit in the name of God.

Things can change- but if only you guys become more forceful, and smack them in their disgusting faces.
In fact, I actually think open rebellion/ revolution against such as these, is warranted in the so-called "social contract" (which he and many other political/ pseudo-religious perverts, so obviously know nothing of).
Some people are too dumb for reason, and only know the law of the jungle ....

"The dictum that truth always triumphs over persecution
is one of the pleasant falsehoods which men repeat
after one another till they pass into commonplaces,
but which all experience refutes."
~John Stuart Mill

Mahathir - Twisted Logic 101

"... I think they (Indian Muslims) will be accepted by all if
they can pick either to become a Muslim or Indian,"
he was quoted as saying by Bernama.
"The problem of Indian Muslims will be resolved if they can decide
and choose to become either a Muslim or an Indian," he added.
Elaborating, Mahathir said people in Thailand and Indonesia
called themselves Thais and Indonesians but this is not the case here.

=================================

There is a big problem here - and (to quote Russell Peters), "somebody's gonna get hurt real bad"!! There's some confusion between Nationality, Ethnicity/race/heritage and Religion in the aging mind of Mahathir and his apologists. They somehow don't seem to be able to define it well - to them, it all amounts to the "constitutional definition of being a Malay", and nothing else matters.
He doesn't understand how a person can be a nationalist, and yet hold on to his cultural heritage!! He doesn't understand how one can be an ethnic Indian/Chinese and an Indonesian/Thai/American/ Canadian etc etc etc, at the same time!!

It reminds me of what many of us feel - "I Love My Country; but Does My Country Love Me?" The answer here is quite simple - pluralism be damned - in Mahathir's (and therefore, BN/Umno/MCA/MIC's) Malaysia, your country cannot love you unless you are "constitutionally Malay" and consequently "accepted".
So much for Jibby's 1-Malaysia!!

Mahathir seems to be of the opinion that "to be accepted", probably means to "become Muslim", when they're already Muslims. The beauty about all this is, the fact that he implies that "being Muslim" is "being Malay" and consequently leads to- "being accepted". The Indian Muslim, has to give up his "Indian" heritage, suck up to the artificial Umno-Malay ways - and voila - you're accepted!! It's as simple as that!! You can then get all the benefits of the plunder which Umno perpetrates - at least in the next generation, lah. (No wonder some mamaks shamelessly go all-out to be categorized as second-class bumiputras/Malays).

The result of Indian Muslims "becoming Malay"

There seems to be no other way in his mind, that one can be accepted- even if one is a hardcore Malaysian nationalist at heart, or a patriot. All that matters is that he "becomes Malay", by abandoning his cultural heritage which is far older than the "constitutional Malay" ways.
In short, that means - You cannot be accepted unless you are constitutionally, Malay!! Now if that isn't racist, I don't know what is!

Neil Khor in his article "Indian Muslims - in defence of Mahathir" in MalaysiaKini, acknowledges the fallacy in the above statement, but turns out to be the apologist for Mahathir in saying, "But to be fair, what was the context and what was the situation that Dr Mahathir Mohamad was referring to?", and says that Mahathir isn't racist for playing up the race and religion factors - to "be accepted" as Malaysian.

He then goes on to say, "To be Malaysian, to Mahathir, means giving up this emotional link to one's country of origin. He also said that the Indian Muslims must decide whether to be Indian or Muslim. In the context of his speech, this means deciding whether one was Indian as an ethnic category or Malay, as Muslims are defined constitutionally".

Herein lies the twisted logic, for which Neil Khor wishes to be the spinmaster.
Firstly, being Muslim has never been "defined constitutionally" - only "Malay", as silly as it may seem, is.
What's worse, is the fact that we have an academic by the name of NEIL KHOR [who has recently completed his PhD at the University of Cambridge (!!). He is co-author of 'Non-Sectarian Politics in Malaysia: The Case of Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia' (2008).] subscribing to this fallacy and denying that Mahathir is being racist!! He seems to say that the Indian Muslims have a choice - they can abandon their "race", and overnight "become Malay" to be accepted!!
He does concede that "in a non-sectarian society, they would not have to make the choice that Mahathir has put to them. They can be both Indian Muslim and Malaysian" - he however does not condemn the sectarianism which is the source of the evil, but instead encourages them to adopt this evil which Mahathir preaches!!!

I wouldn't know - Maybe it was some greenbacks for which Neil Khor has traded his academic integrity. Maybe he just doesn't care about being Malaysian, and already holds a PR in UK - why else would he ignore the implications of Mahathir's racist statement ...