bobjots : redux

i'm with you bob! i will put up the post and the logo at once.

Couldn’t agree with you more. I have sent your link and my personal appeal to fellow Christians that I know. I call for other Christians to do the same too:

Dear all,
I read with shock that the Tamil daily - Makkal Osai, that published the cartoon of Jesus got suspended for one month.

http://www.bobjots. org/2007/ 08/christians_ must_say_ no_to_makk. php

Let me share with you what I think:
1. It is wrong to publish such thing.
2. It is appropriate to ask the daily for a public apology, which they did.
3. It is too severe a punishment to suspend them for one month.

What Rev Dr Julius Paul or other church leaders could have done is just asking for an apology and accept it with a gracious heart. What better opportunity it is to show the forgiving heart of Christ than this? Are we giving Christianity a better image to others through this outcome? Will the livelihood of the workers (assumed Indians) there threatened? If so, will they hate Christ more or love him more as a result of this? Are we feeling happier with such a ban? An eye for an eye?

Also, Church leaders must be alert about the whole situation and the social-political context of the region that they are living in. The current suspension is upon a Tamil daily, would the government suspend a Malay daily for the same act? I heard that this daily is a rival to another Tamil daily that is pro-Samy Vellu. Could there be some hidden political agenda in this whole fuzz? Are we Christians being used in this case?

I appeal to all to use whatever means available to express our stand as Christians to forgive the daily, and to ask for the lift the suspension.

Note From Bob: The author of this comment is probably a well known online impersonator who has impersonated many people on the internet before, including yours truly. He has now seen it fit to impersonate Julius Paul, which happens to be the same name of the Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia. Definitely catholic but with a small lettter "c". Some background can be read from this article in The Cicak.

The same impersonator has had a collection of his (or her) earlier comments collated and published here with the various pseudonyms and impersonations. One would notice the similiar style in writing and the similiar inconsistency in the stand.

For the record, I have never hidden the fact that I am a member of Parti KeADILan Rakyat. It has been plainly stated in this blog. The opinions presented in this blog however are strictly my own and do not represent the party's position or point of view.

As a Christian, I urge my fellow Christians to join me to say NO to Makkal Osai's suspension and urge that it be lifted.

No, you are not a Christian at all but an apostate, who is a wolf in sheep clothing. You are a guilty of hypocrisy as you use the title Christian to serve your pro-opposition propaganda (and propaganda is lies) when you are never in a Christian in your heart. Did not Christ our Lord command in John 8:44 "You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. "

I am a Christian who will not listen to your urges because they are Satanic. I will write to the Prime Minister of Malaysia (who is Internal Security Minister) and also Revd. Hermen Shastri, CCM chief and tell them both that I want to see Makkal Osai permanently banned.

This perhaps can be one way we can seek to salvage this sorry state of affairs and start on a journey of reconciliation.

So you say. But you forget you are nobody to tell Christians. Remember, Jas 2:17? God decrees "So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead." You have no works that can prove you are a real Christian, and so your faith is dead, Bob K :)

I do not want any reconciliation with a person like you!

I am a Christian* Malaysian and I was not offended by the accidental depiction of a picture of Jesus Christ holding a cigarette and a beer can in Makkal Osai.

I AM A CHRISTIAN MALAYSIAN AND I AM VERY OFFENDED BY THE DELIBERATE DEPICTION OF A PICTURE OF JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD HOLDING A CIGARETTE AND A BEER CAN IN MAKKAL OSAI. I DEMAND A BAN ON MAKKAL OSSAI LIKE THE PAST BAN ON SARAWAK TRIBUNE AND ITS EDITOR EXECUTED LIKE IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN.

Note From Bob: The author of this comment is probably a well known online impersonator who has impersonated many people on the internet before, including yours truly. He has now seen it fit to impersonate Julius Paul, which happens to be the same name of the Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia. Definitely catholic but with a small lettter "c". Some background can be read from this article in The Cicak.

The same impersonator has had a collection of his (or her) earlier comments collated and published here with the various pseudonyms and impersonations. One would notice the similiar style in writing and the similiar inconsistency in the stand.

For the record, I have never hidden the fact that I am a member of Parti KeADILan Rakyat. It has been plainly stated in this blog. The opinions presented in this blog however are strictly my own and do not represent the party's position or point of view.

I AM A CHRISTIAN MALAYSIAN AND I AM VERY OFFENDED BY THE DELIBERATE DEPICTION OF A PICTURE OF JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD HOLDING A CIGARETTE AND A BEER CAN IN MAKKAL OSAI. I DEMAND A BAN ON MAKKAL OSSAI LIKE THE PAST BAN ON SARAWAK TRIBUNE AND ITS EDITOR EXECUTED LIKE IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN.

"No!"

Bob, I agree with you and will join you with the posting.

Since when did Christians start using the word 'apostate'...

fishy fishy fishy

Wow Reverend. Remind me to check out your church.
Not.

Lucia,

Thanks for your support and your link. How has the SVP been treating you? :)

KC Lee,

Thanks for passing the word around. This fiasco might just blow up in their faces yet. We must however be mindful that we do not turn this into a racial or religious matter. When Sarawak Tribune was closed down, the Malay language Utusan Sarawak went down with it. When it comes to oppression, there's usually no colour bar.

"Julius Paul",

'Nuff said.

Sivin (who's my LUTHERAN pastor),

That's one resounding NO :)

Nyx,

Fishy indeed. A halibut perhaps? Or maybe a kurau?

Eli,

The cathedral's actually quite pretty and a mere block away from the party HQ. I'd like to actually have a conversation with the bishop on this matter if I get the opportunity :)

There's one more point I would like to add. The suspension of Makkal Osai has put 100 families out of a job; at least for the period of the suspension. If the Sarawak Tribune suspension can be used as an precedent, and this suspension turn out to be permanent, the Church has just participated in an exercise to put 100 families out of an honest income.

Think about it.

I actually have to disagree with your call to action. I sincerely hope that the daily won't be suspended indefinitely.

But what I find disturbing is your rallying call is rather 'us vs them' e.g.

"I am a Christian* Malaysian and I was not offended by the accidental depiction of a picture of Jesus Christ holding a cigarette and a beer can in Makkal Osai."

What about those Christian's who were offended BUT who doesn't want the suspension.

The fact is there will be Christians who think that some kind of legal action is necessary. Will you still consider them your brothers and sisters in Christ?

Personally, I hope that ISM will stay good to their word and lift the suspension after 30 days. And for the record, "the Church has just participated in an exercise to put 100 families out of an honest income." is an exercise in emotional appeal. It doesn't justify The relevant issues here is whether the newspaper has done something right or wrong. If they are innocent, then the suspension should be lifted. If they did something wrong, consequences entail.

Perhaps a more radical response is: If the newspaper is terminated(and I hope not) will the Church forgive and help the editors start a new paper?

I think the premise you put forth is a valid one. There are, of course, folks who did feel genuinely offended by the picture. Honest disagreement doesn't invalidate fraternal and spiritual bonds, does it?

My posit would be this - I am not saying ALL Christians MUST oppose the suspension although I am saying, based on the raison d'etre given, that all Christians ought to.

It is a position based on my own analysis of the situation and taken in view of the possible socio-political fallout that could possibly be a result. It doesn't require everyone to obligingly fall into line, at least not unless one agrees with my point of view and see value in seeking to undo a set of wrongs that I feel we as a community have been made complicit to.

Regarding the loss of income for the 100 families; I feel there is a need to also see the human tragedy that tends to be overshadowed in circumstances like these. This isn't just about the emotional discomfort of seeing a representation of one's deity being desecrated or the political machinations behind the move to suspend a politically inconvenient publication - these are real people who will suffer at least one month's lost income. I have been through similiar situations in the past to realise the pain and anguish this will lead to - I cannot imagine it being multiplied a hundredfold.

So, there are the facts - the newspaper did make a big mistake in publishing the picture, whether on purpose or inadvertantly; the newspaper did make a public apology the following day; the aggrieved parties did make public their dismay and unhappiness over the publication of the picture; the aggrieved parties did accept the apology and considered the case close; a Christian bishop did publicly call for the banning of the publication; the authorities, whether acting on the call or not, did already have plenty of reasons to want to clamp down on the publications; the publication did get suspended; and people are losing incomes.

How we decide to respond to this would definitely be dependent on our conscience and our worldview on such matters. This is my response and I appealed for support. Quite a lot has been given and for this I'm thankful but I must reiterate I do not demand nor expect a grand consensus and I respect the right of those who choose to disagree with the stand that I and those who have chosen to support this stand have taken.

Blessings :)

I am quite dissapointed with the suspension of the Makkal Osai newspaper. This is a classic case of a suppression of free speech. Malaysia is going backward and not forward with such actions.

It was a shocking decision,as an apology was made in various local dailies i also felt the lifting was an over board..doesn't christ believe in forgiving...

100 of families may suffer to make ends meet..

its in yr hands bishop..

Is Christ the Saviour, or does Christ need to be saved?

A christian could well have the right to be offended, but then even Jesus said `turn the other cheek`. I am very sure that Christ would not have been offended by this. He would have been above it.

This is the greatest disservice that christians could do to their faith. It`s put them on the same page as that other batch of loonies, and will always be held against them.

People should be understanding with this kind of issue.This picture can cause chaos not only in malaysia but all around the world. this news paper even deserves to be banned forever. The picture was published to incite violence, murder and more. It cant even be an error,if it was on the front page.they should be punished , from the chief editor. those guys are not reasoning at all.

I share your position Bob. And I am more offended by the heavy-handed response to Makkal Osai than by the image. I grant that there is a broad spectrum of feelings, but I disagree with banning the paper. What christians and the church can do is to rally support for employees hurt by the ban and supply material help (cash and kind)

Hi David,

Thanks for your comments. We might be able to do something on that front. Let me see what can be organised.

Regards,

Bob