YOURSAY ‘Muslims burning their own holy book, who cares?’
Dr M defends Ibrahim's 'burn Bible' remark
CHKS: Former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad is shifting the focus from the Bible to the Quran. Don't fall into his trap.
The burning of the Quran in the case he mentioned is by Muslims themselves. It has nothing to do with non-Muslims. Non-Muslims couldn't care less whether Muslims burn the Quran or not.
On the other hand, the burning of the Bible by Muslims is a sign of disrespect because regardless of the context or circumstance this burning of the Bible is intended for, it is never right for the Muslims to do so. Just as Christians have no right to burn the Quran.
Furthermore, legitimising Muslims to burn bibles just because it is acceptable for them to burn Quran is akin to saying that just because it is acceptable for a non-Muslim to eat pork, the non-Muslim can eat pork in front of a Muslim in a halal restaurant. That's the kind of argument Mahathir is giving.
Thirdly, while it is okay for a Muslim to burn an old Quran rather than have it being trampled upon, it is never right for a Muslim to dictate to the Christian community that burning the Bible with good intention is okay. Are you a Christian theologian, Mahathir?
And lastly, how do you know that Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali's intention was good when it was uttered? Did you cut open his skull and see what's inside his brain? Did you know the context of the statement when it was made?
Judging from the fierce context it was uttered at that time, objectively speaking, it is most probably Ibrahim Ali did not say it with "good intention" but with hatred and evil intention.
World Citizen: The doctor is missing the point. Muslims burning their own holy book, who cares? Inciting Muslims to burn another religion's holy book - that is provocation and incitement to violence.
Non-Muslims in Malaysia have not resorted to uttering such bile and they expect Muslims to be respectful as well.
Hang Babeuf: Once again, the usual stupid logic [Mahathir has made, and “got away with”, this same argument before]: burning a bible, he avers, is not, under Islamic law, offensive to Muslims; so it cannot be offensive, and must accordingly be acceptable to non-Muslims.
Mahathir was a strong prime minister, one cannot deny it; but his grasp of elementary logic, as demonstrated here, is pretty weak.
Non: Disingenuous! Mahathir is throwing a red herring to distract people from the issue. How can it ever be good to suggest burning the holy books of another faith?
What you do with your own is up to you, but keep quiet about what you want to do with those belonging to others.
If mutual respect for each other's religion is not maintained, it will lead to chaos and anarchy in this country, no matter how strong the position of the dominant religion is. Look at history, and you will agree. So, do not stoke the religious fire, it is dangerous.
Proarte: I think Mahathir is doing damage control in his characteristically inventive and unorthodox way. What Mahathir is saying that if we disagree with any book which we deem to be dangerous, then we can dispose of it by burning. This applies to the Quran as well.
Non-Muslims may find many of the passages in the Quran or hadiths to be extremely disturbing as it conflicts with basics norms of a civilised society. Parents may not want their children to be influenced by material which promotes and justifies hatred and violence.
So if Muslims present the Quran and hadiths to non-Muslims who may take offence at the contents, then Mahathir is saying it is perfectly acceptable to burn the Quran and hadiths as long as it is done 'respectfully'.
Have I misinterpreted the old man's comments? Please correct me if I have.
Tan Kim Keong: What warpedlogic from Mahathir, based on what was reported.
So is he also saying that "For the adherents of other faiths, if they have something or some documents which they are adverse to, they should not throw them around, they should not throw them on the ground and step on them. They should show respect for them and by burning them the way they burn their own holy scriptures, that is permitted."
Multi Racial: Dr M lied in speaking out for Ibrahim Ali. Just look at his reasoning, it is basically nonsense.
We know he was the one who sponsored the establishment of Perkasa. Initially because he dislike dSports and Youth Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and KJ was the person in charge of Umno Youth.
Now he's using Perkasa as his own political sounding board. But does he needs to go this low to lie for this racist?
Uragt: Perkasa is the militant wing for Umno. Their sole objective is to continue the fear campaign amongst ‘pendatangs’ using religion/race cards and to divert attention from Umno’s corruption and mismanagement of the country.
But Perkasa is actually digging a deeper hole for its master.
Malaya: To us Christian, the call to burn bibles is taken as a provocation.
We don't need a Muslim to teach us how to up keep our Bible. To us, the older the Bible, the more value we see in it. If Muslims wanted to burn their old Al-Quran, that is their business But don't threaten us.
Ibrahim Ali claimed that Christians were giving out bibles to Muslims, please show proof. Otherwise it is pure slander and provocation. According to our constitution, it is seditious to slander another religion.
LeftHandSide: Beating up your son and beating up your neighbour's son is two different matters altogether.
This expired politician is saying it is okay to beat up the neighbour's son because he used to beat up his own son.
Mahathir’s twisted logic on Bible burning
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