Sedition
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_310719.html
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_310849.html
In case you people still don't know about this.. 2 people are on trial for "Sedition". Now, lets have a look at the some of the issues involved..
Sedition means
1. incitement of discontent or rebellion against a government.
2. any action, esp. in speech or writing, promoting such discontent or rebellion.
3. Archaic. rebellious disorder.
(Source: Dictionary.com)
For the purpose of the Law, a Seditious Tendency is defined as a tendency to "promote feelings of ill-will and hostility between different races or classes of the population of Singapore." Except if it aims to "point out, with a view to their removal, any matters producing or having a tendency to produce feelings of ill-will and enmity between different races or classes of the population of Singapore,"
(Source: Sedition Act, Chapter 290, Section 3)
I am of course not a lawyer, so anything I comment on will be based on not the law persay, but by Reason and Logic.
Firstly, I must say that a cursory search on "The Little Bride" and "Who is Allah" seems to uncover much much more negative comments than positive ones.. Seems like quite a lot of people agree that the material are offensive, and only a few believe the material to be largely true. Of course, that should be seen in the light that many believe the author's stand on homosexuality (as in, that it is wrong) to be controversial.
In this case, the publication might contain falsehood or prejudiced views. If that is so, I don't have much in defense for them (Unfortunately, I am quite unable to give my own opinion on whether the publications are true or false, since I can't seem to get hold of any...)
But this relates to the larger issue of evangelism and sedition in general. I have a friend who passionately believes that evangelism should be done in an agreeable and relational manner. This is so as to prevent the negative backlash, of unpleasant feelings of others towards Christians. I myself can bring examples which show this type of outcome - quite a few of my friend's objections are more towards evangelism methods rather than Christianity itself..
However, I somewhat disagree with this view. My disagreement lies not in this method itself. In fact, I believe that agreeable and relational evangelism is very important and should be practiced. That is what I do personally too. But I can't help noticing that there is another type of evangelism practiced in the New Testament. In the case of Peter and John, they just would not, and perhaps even could not stop proclaiming what they hear and what they saw and what they know. Even when brought before the lawcourt, they pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them, and respectfully disagreed with their judgment, saying that they must obey God, not men. In the case of our Lord Himself, He proclaimed Woe to the Scribes and Pharisees and He used a whip to drive out the people from the Temple..
This is not very agreeable is it?
It seems as though proclaiming the Truth is more important than anything else.. Forcing it down people's throat? Na, not really, its not possible to do that. You might as well call a teacher teaching a class about, say, evolution, or even organic chemistry "forcing it down her student's throat". It is still teaching about the Truth.
That, I believe is the most important characteristics of truth. Truth divides. Something is either true or not true. Its no use saying that you are being accepting and open to different opinions. You might as well respect my opinion that apples are purple and the sky is falling.
Which makes the Sedition act quite strange. It is the characteristic of Truth to have the potential to promote feelings of "ill will and hostility". I mean, look at Jesus.. He sure got plenty of Ill will and hostility.. At the same time, it can be said to have in view the reduction of ill will and hostility (I mean, if everyone believes what is true, then there is definitely reduced ill will right?)
Lol =p
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_310849.html
In case you people still don't know about this.. 2 people are on trial for "Sedition". Now, lets have a look at the some of the issues involved..
Sedition means
1. incitement of discontent or rebellion against a government.
2. any action, esp. in speech or writing, promoting such discontent or rebellion.
3. Archaic. rebellious disorder.
(Source: Dictionary.com)
For the purpose of the Law, a Seditious Tendency is defined as a tendency to "promote feelings of ill-will and hostility between different races or classes of the population of Singapore." Except if it aims to "point out, with a view to their removal, any matters producing or having a tendency to produce feelings of ill-will and enmity between different races or classes of the population of Singapore,"
(Source: Sedition Act, Chapter 290, Section 3)
I am of course not a lawyer, so anything I comment on will be based on not the law persay, but by Reason and Logic.
Firstly, I must say that a cursory search on "The Little Bride" and "Who is Allah" seems to uncover much much more negative comments than positive ones.. Seems like quite a lot of people agree that the material are offensive, and only a few believe the material to be largely true. Of course, that should be seen in the light that many believe the author's stand on homosexuality (as in, that it is wrong) to be controversial.
In this case, the publication might contain falsehood or prejudiced views. If that is so, I don't have much in defense for them (Unfortunately, I am quite unable to give my own opinion on whether the publications are true or false, since I can't seem to get hold of any...)
But this relates to the larger issue of evangelism and sedition in general. I have a friend who passionately believes that evangelism should be done in an agreeable and relational manner. This is so as to prevent the negative backlash, of unpleasant feelings of others towards Christians. I myself can bring examples which show this type of outcome - quite a few of my friend's objections are more towards evangelism methods rather than Christianity itself..
However, I somewhat disagree with this view. My disagreement lies not in this method itself. In fact, I believe that agreeable and relational evangelism is very important and should be practiced. That is what I do personally too. But I can't help noticing that there is another type of evangelism practiced in the New Testament. In the case of Peter and John, they just would not, and perhaps even could not stop proclaiming what they hear and what they saw and what they know. Even when brought before the lawcourt, they pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them, and respectfully disagreed with their judgment, saying that they must obey God, not men. In the case of our Lord Himself, He proclaimed Woe to the Scribes and Pharisees and He used a whip to drive out the people from the Temple..
This is not very agreeable is it?
It seems as though proclaiming the Truth is more important than anything else.. Forcing it down people's throat? Na, not really, its not possible to do that. You might as well call a teacher teaching a class about, say, evolution, or even organic chemistry "forcing it down her student's throat". It is still teaching about the Truth.
That, I believe is the most important characteristics of truth. Truth divides. Something is either true or not true. Its no use saying that you are being accepting and open to different opinions. You might as well respect my opinion that apples are purple and the sky is falling.
Which makes the Sedition act quite strange. It is the characteristic of Truth to have the potential to promote feelings of "ill will and hostility". I mean, look at Jesus.. He sure got plenty of Ill will and hostility.. At the same time, it can be said to have in view the reduction of ill will and hostility (I mean, if everyone believes what is true, then there is definitely reduced ill will right?)
Lol =p
posted by P{ZM} at
10:38 PM
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