Even publication of the Bible is gov't controlled

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vox populi small thumbnail 'Politics has entwined into religious affairs so profusely that even the publication of the Bible is dictated and controlled by the government.'

Abim: Don't flout ban on use of 'Allah'

Hello: This banning of the word ‘Allah' in the Bible is nothing more than a rash act by the BN government to prove that they are more Islamic than PAS. The continuation of this is alienating the Christians of the country, especially Sabahans and Sarawakians.

The government is treading on dangerous grounds as more and more Sabahans and Sarawakians feel alienated. It does not take a wise man to realise this.

FellowMalaysian: The federal government is playing out a farce by seeking and obtaining a stay order from the court. Politics has entwined into religious affairs so profusely that even the publication of the Bible is very much dictated and controlled by the government.

Is this what you call as practising religious freedom and tolerance? Can't we be magnanimous enough and let the higher religious orders sort out this matter while others stay out of it?

Joker: Why should we 'respect' the court decision when the very act of banning the use of 'Allah' is illegal according to the constitution, the highest law of the land?

The constitution provides for freedom of worship and the Federation of Malaysia Agreement further stipulates that Sabah and Sarawak have absolute freedom of religion and no one, especially the Kuala Lumpur-based federal government can ban anyone from doing/saying anything when it comes to religion.

Before Abim asks for respect, Abim should give respect.

Lover Boy: Abim, the Muslims and the Christians in Sabah and Sarawak have been living side by side for so many years that they call each other's god ‘Allah'. Until, that is, you came and cause problems for us.

Multi Racial: In this time and era when everyone is moving forward, Abim appears to be moving backward. What is the problem if the Christians print their Bible in Bahasa Malaysia and use ‘Allah' to refer as God. Does that made Abim members weak?

Christian have been printing their bibles in many different languages, including Arabic and Bahasa Indonesia. It is a known thing that the word ‘Allah' is widely used in Indonesia. In some churches, you can see in huge lettering ‘Allah' on display above their churches, which can be seen from more than several hundred metres away.

Christians from Sabah and Sawarak who speak BM have been using the Bible in BM which refer to God as ‘Allah' for more than a century. What threat did it pose to others over those years?

Please look at the big picture. Muslims are mature enough to decide from themselves.

Catholic bishop rails against impoundment of Bibles

David Dass: Bishop Paul Tan Chee Ing has articulated the Church's position. We are not a Third World nation. Let the PM respond. His 1Malaysia platform is the issue. The constitution and the rule of law are at stake. We are at the cross roads. We can choose between the rule of the mob or the rule of law.

It is just not the sensitivity of some Muslims that is relevant here. It is the constitutional right of Christians to practice their faith without let or hindrance. The constitution guarantees it. We are risking so much because of ignorance and foolishness. Our leaders must act wisely and courageously.

Judge Doe: The rights of the rakyat should not be compromised and the government of the day should be held responsible for making such a decision in the first place.

Important decisions maybe even sensitive, where compassion and common sense should clearly be exercised, is necessarily be reached through consensus. What's worse is our inability to put this matter to rest expeditiously.

Kimberley: Although Bishop Paul Tan is absolutely correct, perhaps it is best that there be no more comments about this issue. This is what Perkasa, Dr Mahathir Mohamad and PM Najib Abdul Razak want. They are looking for a common issue to cheat the Malays into supporting them at the general elections.

Geronimo: Last year, during one demonstration held after a Friday prayers (the one which PM Najib said he couldn't do anything) about the usage of the world ‘Allah', a protester was asked by a foreign journalist why do Malaysian Muslims find it offensive for others to use the A-word when the same word is freely used by Muslims and Christians alike in the Middle Eastern countries. The answer given by the protester was most amusing, "This is Malaysia!".

So what does this tell us? One, it reflects the low intellect of the person concerned; and two, that there are two types of Islam practised by the Muslims, one by the Arabs and the other by Malaysians.

Isn't this weird and contradictory? Sometimes, I just can't help it but to think that Umno Muslims come from planet Mars.

'Christians fast losing faith in gov't'

Sarawakian_3ff9: The BN government always talk about freedom of worship but this issue has shown that all it does is talk and pandering to the bigots. Even Islamic countries do not behave in such a high-handed manner.

Who was the moron who started it all anyway by banning the Bible in BM and depriving others of reading the holy book? The BN was stupid enough to do it and now found that it had painted itself into a corner which it cannot get out from. The BN has created too many little Napoleons that it can no longer control them.

Anonymous_4031: It's not only Christians and people in Sabah and Sarawak but other people in West Malaysia also are losing faith fast in BN and its leaders. It was only last year when the PM loudly proclaimed at the UN General Assembly that moderates must fight extremism and racism.

But back home, he has not done anything to convince the people that he meant what he said to the whole world at the august chambers in New York. People watch the actions of leaders in BN and Pakatan Rakyat, they don't just listen to mere words.

Bishop Paul Tan has used very strong words condemning the confiscation of Bibles meant for Sarawak and Sabah. Even the deputy chief minister of Sarawak has come out strongly against the seizure of bibles.

Mr PM, no amount of your promises will ever be believed.

 


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