YOURSAY ‘Perhaps they should ban Muslims from using ‘Christian’, ‘Christ’, ‘Bible’.’

PAS to discuss 'rest in peace' controversy

Ferdtan: The National Fatwa Council has discouraged the use of the phrase 'rest in peace' because the term has Christian connotations.

Now we cannot help wondering whether it is the religion or the religious people who are really at fault. Ban this; ban that; that is what these religious people know about.

Why are they so concerned with such innocent matter like offering condolences when Muslims in the country are facing with much bigger problems like youths indulging in drugs, criminal activities, lack of proper education, being jobless, homeless and many more?

The rate these conservative religious leaders go about in trying to control the minds of their Muslim followers, especially the educated urban youths, the more they will make them disillusioned with Islam.

Most cannot reconcile with what is being taught by these old ulama with their ‘common sense’ values and personal feelings.

They know what is right and wrong; and any contradictory and ridiculous advice imposed by their religious elders will surely be taken with a pinch of salt.

Many Muslims who had earlier expressed condolences, with phrase 'RIP' before the ruling came, including the young law professor Azmi Sharom in his tribute article on Karpal Singh, will be shocked.

Just Google the social media, you can see many more Muslims penned the ‘RIP' as a show of respect to the departed. So now will the National Fatwa Council, and possibly PAS party, be ready to make their youths disenchant with the religion?

SteveOh: Some people who like to make rules and more rules like the Pharisees have nothing better to do. I hope their salaries are not paid from the public coffer.

The origin of the RIP usage today was not Christian but Jewish though later adapted by only certain groups of Christians. Most Christians do not use RIP condolences when one of their members die or on non-Christians if they know their Bible well.

Some people, especially non-Christians, are more likely to use it because of its modern universal meaning.

Indeed, what will the religious zealots ban next? They are the reason why Malaysia is becoming a divided nation and regressing into social disintegration when they focus on such inconsequential matters, especially when they have no basis for their ideas.

But when they can ban the 'Allah' word against sound religious and historic evidence, don't expect them to be just and rational. It is the age of ignorance all over again.

Abasir: One really can't help noting that there have been no media reports ever announcing that Islamic bodies or the fatwa group are meeting to discuss the high incidence of incest, teenage pregnancies and abandoned babies in their community, the endemic problem of corruption and sloth in a civil service filled to the BR1M with Muslims, vulgarly ostentatious lifestyles of the defenders of the faith... well, you get the idea.

Clearly these moral and ethical issues are nothing compared to the most offensive use of the words 'rest in peace' (RIP) by Muslims.

Cmfoo: Another load of crap from the self-serving National Fatwa Council where these idiots can't understand simple English words to be just words to communicate its plain meaning - that the dead rest in peace and this has nothing to do with religion.

My Opinion: If one understands the connotation of 'rest in peace', it should be the Buddhist and Hindus who should not say RIP. After all, they believe in reincarnation and karma. It depends whether the next step is a good 'rest' or not.

For atheists, RIP may mean eternal blissful rest. For Islam, 'rest' should mean having a peaceful time with Allah without the earthly struggles of daily lives. So, Muslims should be supportive of RIP.

For a Christian theology which teaches that believers will even judge the angels, I guess is not RIP for Christians because there is a lot of work to be done in Heaven. That kind of 'work' is actually a peaceful rest from earthly office politics.

Proarte: This again is a deliberate bastardisation of Islam by Umno and its proxy organisations. The purpose is to cause division between communities and religions in the morally bankrupt policy of 'divide and rule'.

Karpal Singh's demise has seen Malaysians of all races and religions come together united in grief. Umno and their proxies somehow feel threatened and insecure when Malaysians are united so they will use any means possible no matter how ridiculous and immoral to sow division and hatred.

Sadly in Malaysia, Islam can be used so easily to camouflage evil and injustice because the Malays have a superficial understanding of their faith.

We must remember that the Fatwa Council's pronouncements are not legally binding. If RIP is against Islam, then Islam represents stupidity, insensitivity and wickedness. Period.

Right-thinking Malay Muslims must decide if they are happy to see Islam regarded as a pariah religion due to the idiotic and nonsensical views of the Fatwa Council.

CiViC: If the National Fatwa Council is so concerned about Christian connotations, perhaps they should first ban Muslims from using words such as 'Christian', 'Christ', 'Bible' and the like.

Cheong Sai Fah: I can't figure this RIP fatwa thing. Does it mean that when Muslims die, they don't rest in peace?

Lim Chong Leong: ‘RIP’ has Christian connotations, ‘Gong Xi Fa Cai’ has Taoist connotations, ‘Happy Deepavali’ has Hindu connotations. So, then, just don’t interact with anyone. Stupid!

After ‘A’ and ‘RIP’ words, what’s next?

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