YOURSAY | ‘Is the church to refrain from standing up for justice, even as Gerakan fails to do so?’

Church no place to invoke Bersih, preaches Gerakan Youth

Malaccan: Does Gerakan Youth deputy chief Andy Yong also suggests to stop Bersih supporters who are Muslims from praying in their yellow garb? Who is Yong to decide for the church?

The church is independent of Gerakan and is not beholden to Yong as he might be to BN. The bishop (Malacca and Johor Catholic Diocese Bishop Bernard Paul) is supportive of the ideals behind Bersih 5, which are justice and fairness to all, however much these values may be anathema to Gerakan and their masters in BN.

Is the church to refrain from standing up for justice, even as Gerakan fails to do so? Surely not. Not everyone is afraid to say the truth, or stand for values and principles they believe in.

The church and its leaders are to be commended for acting and walking the talk. Unlike them, Gerakan only pays lip service to being the conscience of BN, when they have no conscience of their own.

Andy Yong and his party are lost souls. Their redemption lies in repentance and ensuring truth and justice prevails.

Old Timer: Yong, you are really illogical. If some choose to go to church wearing a particular colour, it is their choice as the church has no restrictions on colour of dress. And that's no business of yours.

You should speak more on gerrymandering, racial politics, discrimination and corruption.

Rupert16: Did Yong offer any comment when the imams in government-run mosques spoke against Bersih? 

Drngsc: The biggest culprit in mixing religion and politics is Umno and PAS. You conveniently forget that.

HaveAGreatDay: Yong, you are barking up the wrong tree. As 'Drngsc' pointed out, do you dare tell that to your political masters? That aside, good religious teaching ought to point its faithful on the path of being good citizens.

I see no conflict as such by that good archbishop to lead the way to protest against the misrule of our country. If anything, I am ashamed that no religious leader of my faith came out to walk the talk about leading a moral life.

Dumbo: Religion is mixed with politics, including national schools, universities, government-linked companies (GLCs) and all spheres of life by Umno, so why is Gerakan Youth so worked up over churches supporting Bersih?

Yong, uphold justice and fair play, and have the scrotal gumption to stand up to your political masters Umno. What is good for the goose is also good for the gander.

Ipoh PP: Your tunnel vision can only see till the tip of your nose. The church, like all other religions, has a moral duty to guide its faithful to discern right from wrong.

Obviously, they see theft by the billions from the people and abuse of power as totally wrong. So, it's their duty to guide the faithful on the right path.

Hopeful but Prepared: Hypocrite. Utter hypocrite. What is BN doing if not using religion to justify having two sets of laws? How is this keeping religion and politics separate?

Telestai: Yong is once again displaying his infantile mentality by equating the Bersih movement with the opposition.

Bersih is about clean and fair elections and good governance. If BN is serious about good governance, their members should have participated in the Saturday rally.

Sadly, Gerakan is in denial - in professing to support good governance, it hides its head in the sand when the clarion call is sounded.

Anonymous 2350931441161169: Yong, since when is Bersih 5 political? When you 'politicians' have no guli (marbles) to speak up against the grand 1MDB theft and the marginalising of certain communities' rights, you expect ordinary rakyat to keep quiet?

Anonymous 2398161454293761: I am not sure if Yong has ever read the biography of American clergyman and civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr.

Who was this person? What was his job and position? Where did his movement start? How did he change the course of history for the better?

I highly recommend that he read this book.

Justice: The late Cardinal Sin of the Philippines was a fierce critic and opponent of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Bishop Desmond Tutu was with the late Nelson Mandela opposing the apartheid regime of South Africa.

Please learn about the history of the world struggles against dictatorship, injustice and discrimination, Yong.

Just a Malaysian: Yong, save your sermons for Umno, the biggest abuser of religion and supremacy of Islam for political purposes.

I am not a Christian, but the church is advocating clean elections and a clean government, which are universal unifying values consistent with Islam and other great religions.

Justice: So, cheating in an election is good, but promoting clean and fair elections is not good, according Yong.

What disgraceful preaching by Gerakan.

In defence of bishop for supporting Bersih

Editor's note: Yong has issued an apology on Twitter yesterday.

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