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Responses || Discussion || Debates || Commentaries

1. “Why should they take offense or feel insulted because I don’t believe that he died on a cross to wash away the sins of pedophiles, rapists and murderers?

   Don’t hate me for thinking that Christ dying for the sins of such villains is blind salvation and a mockery to justice.”

   How interesting. I like how you portray those whom you’ve spoken to as being intolerant of your “beliefs” — those are rather offensive beliefs, if you get my drift. That you even get any room to voice that inflammatory opinion out is a sign of how we have double-standards in this country; take for example what I’m about to say:

   “Why should people take offence in how I don’t believe that God’s will was revealed through an angel, to a mere man, who could’ve been lying and have made up his own religion?

   Don’t hate me for thinking that I find Prophet Muhammad’s claim that he was visited by the angel Gabriel, to be blind faith and a mockery of logic.”

   Would I have much room to mention that in an Muslim-majority country like this? No, not at all. Probably on the internet here, where I’m protected by encrypted protocols and anonymizing technology. But not to any Muslim that I know.

   Not believing in Christianity as true and valid is fine. However, believing that it’s a “mockery” and “blind salvation” — what’s all that about? Not a lot of Christians, us being in the minority and all, will speak out against your offensive words. Mine, however, would result in Muslims all over the country baying for my blood, because I personally think that Islam is a “mockery of logic” and “blind faith”.

   As a matter of fact, neither do I expect this comment of mine to stay here for long, or even be published if there’s any moderation in place, since it’s “religiously offensive”, nevermind the irony in how your post is, too. I digress. Here’s to hoping The Cicak editors can prove me wrong.

   Comment published by Anonymous on 14 July 2007.
   Was this a good comment?     +16

2. Hello Anonymous,
   It’s Poh Si, director of theCICAK.

   Thank you for posting your comment on theCICAK.

   Would you be interested to write an article about your fear or hesitance in expressing your opinion about Islam in Malaysia?

   Shoot me an e-mail at:
   pohsiteng at gmail dot com.

   Look forward to hear from you.

   Comment published by Poh Si on 14 July 2007.
   Was this a good comment?     +1

3. “That you even get any room to voice that inflammatory opinion out is a sign of how we have double-standards in this country…”

   I didn’t ‘get’ any room. I made my own room. Why don’t you write another article? Don’t assume people get to say what they have to say because of privileges and bias.

   Comment published by Kris Khaira on 14 July 2007.
   Was this a good comment?     +2

4. It’s tough being a Muslim convert. It’s tough being a gay. It’s tough being anything different in this place where differences are scorned upon. It is tough that people aren’t open enough to discuss bout religion and beliefs without getting into some childish squabble.

   And when you said:
   Why are they so occupied with these small differences. Aren’t we all Muslims?

   I ask you this:
   What’s with bumiputera and non-bumiputeras? Aren’t we all Malaysians? Who cares who touched down first.

   Is it alright for me to say that the non-bumiputera are being stripped off their sense of belonging as well? Why do you think some Chinese cheer for China athletes?

   I know i’ve deviated but i can’t help it. Sometimes there is no way for us to justify everything or even a mere something.

   Coming back to differences, it matters not how trivial the matter is, differences will be differences. The microscopic will be magnified. I, for one do not see the significance really. I don’t care if you’re Muslim, i don’t care if you’re Christian, just don’t you tell me bout how your beliefs are more superior than mine.

   Btw, there is no need to call another’s beliefs bs or to play defend, so similar to childish names calling don’t you think? Your beliefs. My beliefs. Trespassing is an offense.

   Lastly, i think downplaying differences is key to peace & harmony. I’m not saying we turn a blind eye towards differences, acknowledge and move on but there are so many magnifiers out there to turn microscopic into Godzilla.

   Comment published by amanda on 14 July 2007.
   Was this a good comment?     +8

5. You may find it tough to be a Muslim convert because people make fun of your names. How about us being in the country of a Muslim-majority where we do not have much freedom to voice out our opinions?

   What is the difference of Catholicism and Islam? Don’t you think the root of Catholicism, Islam and Judaism has some sort of connection? It doesn’t mean that you are a Muslim-convert now that you are able to enjoy the bumiputra benefits to harshly criticize your former religion of Catholicism.

   I myself felt hurt as a Catholic when you used such offensive words in your post. We are not inviting each other here for a “DEBATE” but what I rather call a “DIALOGUE”. A debate will not resolve everything but a friendly dialogue amongst other religions should be encouraged.

   I simply agree with what Amanda has to say. You have your own religion now and we here in Malaysia have ours. It is not the matter of who’s religion is more superior and which religion touches mankind’s heart. All that matters is that we as Malaysians certainly hope that we can live in peace and harmony. What’s more is that the nation is celebrating its Golden Jubilee of Independence next month.

   I hate to disagree but it is not the matter of fact to table this as a debate knowing how you have left your religion as a Catholic and being in another religion but a discussion or a forum should be encouraged.

   I certainly hope that there is no bloodshed in this country and respecting all religions as they are. Do not rub any salt to the wounds or it will gets worse.

   I look forward to hear from anyone.

   Comment published by William on 14 July 2007.
   Was this a good comment?     +3

6. I seriously agree with amanda.

   First they say, people who convert to other religion from Islam is apostasy. Now, their saying people who convert INTO Islam is also apostasy just because some believe that we should respect everyone’s beliefs and is free to choose.

   Who cares whether your from what not religion. In the end when you do murder or rape or thievery everyone falls under the same category.

   I simply do not understand the meaning of religion anymore.

   Comment published by sringangel on 15 July 2007.
   Was this a good comment?     --2

7. MUAMMAR KRIS KHAIRA,

   Muslims would also feel offended if someting similiar was said about islam. At the end of the day, we are all emotional human beings and it transcends all religion.

   If i were to say islam is an inferior religion practiced by third world countries(maybe its the cause), if were to say islam is the main barrier to economic developement, wouldnt it not hurt the feelings of muslims? Would it not create hatred towards me and my religion?

   Religion is a very sensitive issue….educate yourself before saying something like that about christianity. Dont expect people to educate you and feed you with a silver spoon. Religion cant be treated like everything else we talk about.

   And if you love your religion, please represent it justly. going around telling christians that jesus didnt die for us is not going to do islam any favours. Islam is a good religion. A few bad apples have tainted people’s perception of it.

   Comment published by democratic junkie on 15 July 2007.
   Was this a good comment?     +6

8. Allow me to play the Devil’s Advocate.

   Why is it that if people have a certain inkling towards a certain ideology, we are encouraged to critisize (constructively, of course) and challenge those theories, but when it comes to religion, we simply must accept other people’s believes?

   One of my favourite quotes comes courtesy of Douglas Adams:

   “Religion…has certain ideas at the heart of it which we call sacred or holy or whatever. What it means is, “Here is an idea or a notion that you’re not allowed to say anything bad about; you’re just not. Why not? – because you’re not. If someone votes for a party that you don’t agree with, you’re free to argue about it as much as you like; everybody will have an argument but nobody feels aggrieved by it….But on the other hand, if somebody says ‘I mustn’t move a light switch on a Saturday’, you say ‘I respect that.’

   Comment published by vincent on 15 July 2007.
   Was this a good comment?     --1

9. Before we let this commentary slide into ‘holier-than-thou’ fest, lets take a while and see beyond the words of the author and into the essence of the article.

   The author is basically trying to say that people within a certain community (in this case, the Malaysian Malay/Muslim community) find it hard to change their hard-set ways of life, refusing to even re-analyse the teachings of Islam.

   He goes on to use the treatment of apostasy as an example.

   For my Catholic friends, although his comment on Jesus’ death was quite shocking, it served to drive home an example of how this same sort of mentality is prevalent within the Catholic community as well, and that other religions are not free from this stigma.

   However i do find that comment offensive and wonder if there could have been a better way to put it.

   But let us not get carried away with being defensive as the article is not about religion bashing, its about finding acceptance as a member of a new community, a member who wishes to affect a change.

   Comment published by cyber_tapir on 15 July 2007.
   Was this a good comment?     +2

10. The only thing nice about this article is the artwork.

    Comment published by anon on 15 July 2007.
    Was this a good comment?     +0

11. First of all, thanks to theCicak for finally updating the “Comment of the Week” after 2 months….or perhaps longer.

    On a more personal note to the writer, the whole “not feeling Muslim enough” vibe is not just on you. I have had the same feeling from time after time. That “holier than thou” attitude that most Muslims born into the religion have is definitely something that we have to shed off our religious society as a whole.

    Let me just point out a few things.

    First and foremost, I do agree that there should be some leeway to allow the discussion of religion, to give people a better understanding of all religions. Which is why I try to ask why the Catholic world is mad at the Pope for once again allowing the Latin Mass. It’s also why I see a bit of Islam in Taoism. Strange, but true.

    However, there is a huge difference between allowing a discussion about religions and going around spewing that you don’t believe Jesus is the savior who had himself crucified to save people, or that Muhammad receiving messages from God through the archangel Gabriel as a load of crap.

    That’s looking for an argument. We’re not looking for arguments, we’re looking for understanding. You don’t have to believe it, but you do have to respect it.

    This whole concept of calling another religion bullshit is basically what will lead to the downfall of multicultural society. Well, that, and the occasional “Melayu balik kampung!” and keris waving Malay fascists….

    But that’s besides the point here.

    The Koran itself has preached that we practice what we practice, and let others practice what they practice. They don’t believe as we believe, and we don’t believe as they believe. They should follow their Way, and we should follow ours. (The Kafir, loosely translated)

    We can discuss religion. True, the government may not want us to, and most Muslims of the older generation see it as a threat to society. But from what I’ve gathered so far in this day and age, not understanding another’s religion is what is driving the world into radicalism.

    We have Christians praising 9/11 for happening as a sign of God’s intolerance towards homosexuality. We recently had a radical bunch of Muslims barricading themselves and innocent civilians in mosques in Pakistan, just because they wanted a Taliban style Sharia code of laws.

    I’m all for freedom of religion, as well as freedom of speech, but I do believe in people being sensitive with both.

    That’s another thing I’ve noticed. People are either becoming too sensitive or insensitive at all when discussing issues like this. Another social evolution I don’t actually enjoy.

    Comment published by Aput on 15 July 2007.
    Was this a good comment?     +7

12. i believe the author is just trying to express his feeling of left out from his new religion group, only thing is the example used was not quite suitable, we shouldn’t get carried away and argue in return about Muslim’s beliefs.

    i feel like being left out too sometimes, even though Jesus Christ is the One i pray to, I’m not considered a Christian yet since no baptism took place. My
    dad’s objection prevented that to happen.

    “This whole concept of calling another religion bullshit is basically what will lead to the downfall of multicultural society”–quoted from Aput.

    i fully concur with the quoted comment.

    Comment published by christian in heart on 16 July 2007.
    Was this a good comment?     +2

13. another argument born out of religion. ZzZ What a bore. Is this what religion is supposed to bring? ZzZ

    Comment published by ZzZ on 16 July 2007.
    Was this a good comment?     --3

14. Unless a sinner genuinely changes his ways and turns from his or her sin, the forgiveness of Christ will not ‘wash away their sins’, that sounds pretty fair to me.

    Comment published by Chang Wei Hao on 16 July 2007.
    Was this a good comment?     +0

15. How do you respect a belief you don’t think is right? I don’t respect all beliefs, but I do respect the followers of these beliefs. The key to making a multiracial society work is to promote mutual respect towards people. If I was raised an atheist and I believe that is the perfect way, how would I respect the worshipping of idols? Despite that, I will still respect the people who worship idols. Can’t you see the difference? I don’t respect the custom but I respect the people who follow that custom because they do it in peace and without forcing their religion onto anyone.

    To expect respect towards your belief from everyone is false hope compared to respect towards people which is necessary. Do you really think vegan Buddhists will respect the Muslim ritual of slaughtering cows and sheep on Eid ul-Adha? I doubt it, though they will still respect the Muslims for practising their religion in peace in that instance.

    This is the type of respect that we need, and which I am talking about at the end of the article. We need to be both realistic and hopeful.

    Comment published by Kris Khaira on 16 July 2007.
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16. Faith is an absolute truth.

    All peoples who truly believe in their religion will never truly concede to dissent as it will undermine that belief. Christians will never say that Jesus Christ did not die on a cross for them and Muslims will never undermine Allah; because at the heart of it, these are uncompromising absolute truths.

    No progress can be made in trying to shake these truths - people will only become defensive; a brick wall going up against another brick wall.

    What we can do, however, is respect the myriad differences of belief which we find in this complexity called humanity. We can learn from each other and in so doing, personally benefit from this endeavour. It may strengthen your faith, it may weaken it… but the key thing to be taken from any religious dialogue is the exchange of knowledge and respect.

    Comment published by Jasmine on 16 July 2007.
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17. …We can slaughter sheep for Eid Al-Adha?? I thought it was only cows or bigger….

    Never mind. Besides the point.

    To respect the people and to respect the religion….hmm. Let me see if I can put this into context.

    If a Hindu were to see a cow getting slaughtered by a Muslim on Eid al-Adha. What would his reaction be? I can’t honestly say, because I’ve never seen Hindus asking me about why the cow had to die. Neither have I seen a vegan who had a problem with it.

    How does one respect a belief they don’t think is right? Tolerance. Mutual tolerance. And I’m sure it’s not easy.

    I know there are a lot of Chinese people out there who consider the loud call to Subuh prayers annoying. I happen to have a co-worker who gripes about it every day I’m in the office.

    But then, I’ve told him I’m just as happy to deal with the smell of joss sticks burning, or the ash in the air whenever they burn cash for the dead.

    Heck, I wouldn’t mind hearing wedding bells if there were any churches which were allowed to do so. Sadly, I’ve yet to see any Christmas carol troupes anywhere in Shah Alam.

    And watching a Hindu priest bless a goat and then slaughter it…well, that’s quite gory as well. I don’t agree with body piercings, does that mean I shouldn’t respect the act of Hindu’s bearing the Kavadi?

    Let’s be real here.

    It does not make you less vegan to see people slaughter cows. Neither does it make me less of a Muslim to watch a baptism, or a Asherah Day March, which I can tell you, is rather gory.

    It does not make me less of a Muslim to go into a church to watch friends get married, nor does it make me less of a Muslim to watch people drink and eat pork around me.

    Should I be offended by these, or should I respect that this is what they are allowed to do in their religion, even if my version of the religion tells me I can’t do that?

    Personally, I see respecting people and respecting religion as the same thing, since those with religions, as Jasmine points out, are interwoven and sacred to the person.

    Comment published by Aput on 17 July 2007.
    Was this a good comment?     +2

18. ‘I have met some Christians who become uneasy when they learn that I converted to Islam from Catholicism, even though I didn’t know about Christianity when I embraced Islam.’

    How come you convert yourself to Muslim without knowing anything about Christianity? What if you embraced Christianity without knowing anything about Islam? Being a Christian is much more difficult in Malaysia.

    Comment published by Mervin on 17 July 2007.
    Was this a good comment?     +1

19. To all those offended Kris’ remarks about Christianity, calm down. His argument is not Christianity vs. Islam, but respect vs. disrespect. He’s standing up for respect, here because everyone has a right to his/her belief. If someone’s faith does not interfere with the liberty of others and does not violate human rights, then he/she should be left alone. Discussion and debate should be encouraged, not the fussing of small matters (like the name issue). Its understandable that people get angry over things/beliefs that violate their own, but respect and plain manners should be adhered to.

    This does not only true hold for the way Muslims treat new coverts, but also for all, actually: how we treat gays, lesbians, transsexuals, people of other religions, people of other political parties, etc etc.

    We should advocate democratic spaces - that is, spaces for debate and dialogue.

    Comment published by Mohani on 17 July 2007.
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20. It seems so easy for some of us to dismiss the article as being insensitive to other faiths, etc. but I think what the writer was really trying to articulate was calling for a need for dialogue between members of different faiths and an exchange of respect between participants of the dialogue.

    Cyber tapir got it right when he urged “us not get carried away with being defensive as the article is not about religion bashing, its about finding acceptance as a member of a new community, a member who wishes to affect a change.” Mohani was also on point when he noted “His argument is not Christianity vs. Islam, but respect vs. disrespect. He’s standing up for respect, here because everyone has a right to his/her belief. If someone’s faith does not interfere with the liberty of others and does not violate human rights, then he/she should be left alone.” What Kris tried to do was just the very thing that Douglas Adams implied in the quote that Vincent posted : to address religion in a way that is rational, constructive and intellectual.

    I like how the writer pointed out his concerns as a Muslim convert in Malaysia. Because of communal relations in Malaysia and the institutionalization of religion/ethnicity (Malay-Muslim) here, it is difficult and very frustrating for non-Malay Muslim converts like myself to assert our identities. In a society like Malaysia that seems to insist on identifying you on your ethnicity or religion, there’s a constant battle in our search and assertion for identity. And then there are the misconceptions like William’s - that we converts enjoy Bumiputera benefits. Sorry to bust your speculations William, but we don’t have such privileges! I have faced taunts from Malays and non-Malays about “masuk Melayu”, questioning my motives for converting to Islam! Now, not only am I questioned by the Malays, I am questioned by non-Malays for my motives!

    On religion, I think Chandra Muzaffar says it best in an interview with Eddin Khoo in Off the Edge (May 2007)
    “All religions are universal and particularistic : they have to be. Religions are inclusive and yet exclusive. The question is, which dimension do you want to emphasize? This is a question that confronts us in a multi religious society like ours…. So in a situation where we are all minorities, we have to learn to be inclusive and universal. There is no other way. It’s a question of survival.”

    And for those of you who question the motives of a writer based on a single article - which can be easily misinterpreted - I suggest you take a look at his / her other works, and then make a judgment on the writer’s intentions. Don’t be so hotheaded and assume everything based on a couple of paragraphs. Read and contemplate everything into context. Do your homework people. A careful read through Kris’ blog (which is a delightful and intelligent read!) and a background check on the work that he has done shows his respect and integrity for people of different faiths, creed and ideologies.

    Finally, it is so good to know that we are all discussing this issue maturely and in a respectable manner. In spite of our disagreements here, I’m so glad we are exchanging our thoughts in an honourable manner (certainly much better than many of our politicians!) I love you Malaysia!

    Comment published by ahavi on 17 July 2007.
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21. Well, to hell with the people who think you’re a threat to Allah, those so-called “religious people” should go back and learn more about Islam before they turn a non situation into a worse one. Even Prophet Muhammad made it absolutely clear that people have the right to choose their own religion, who are we to decide for them? Who are we to debate with Prophet Muhammad’s sayings?

    Comment published by Izmir on 19 July 2007.
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22. I think u are correct I know alot of people who have converted into islam and feel the same way I think that the problem is that people from foreign countries are so used to their ways that when something new appears it comes as a threat to them. I for one am very proud that u have embraced this amazing religion and i hope that allah may lead these people to the straight path of righteousness. the people who are telling you that you are not good are false and you are not obliges to change your name or your opinions, as a muslim convert people should try to help you be a better person and should look up to you since you obviously much be very strong and faithful to be worthy to convert out of your religion and into this great religion.

    Inshallah you will get more rewards for the struggle you have been through and inshallah the people telling you otherwise will be lead to the right path
    hamdulallah u are a good person to write this and inform us how to become better people.
    jazakallhukheir.

    Comment published by sausan on 20 July 2007.
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23. My parents are muslims, Mother used to be a christian… but she converted, it is most odd, that such a thing of apparant elegance (i.e the teachings of religion) is still about the only thing we fight over… imagine what we could achieve if we all united under the flag of “mankind” instead of segregation. Perhaps religion was an evil plot from some genius who is laughing right now… who knows, perhaps it gives people comfort knowing they might go somewhere after death, at the moment im lost between life, i am also mixed race, so other issues are relevant, i perhaps have the biggest issue about fitting in more so than anyone… try not being accepted by any race, because im technically not any…but back to the point, people need to wake up… stop arguing and see sense… one day i will change this world, for the better, a kind of reverse hitler, doing good in my wake. Listen now, brothers who have had enough of this banter, educate your fellows in what way possible, know that god or zeus, or whoever you believe in, wanted us all to get along nicely… not blow each other up, where is the logic there? please for the earth’s sake, put up with the fast moving generation or leave religion behind, the time of kneeling has gone, the time of doing, has arrived…

    Comment published by Kamal Ahmed on 2 September 2007.
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24. Im all for you keeping you identity..you dont have to masuk malayu to be muslim!My wife is also chinese and she is i would say a muslim,but i leave her spiritual development primarily to herself.it would be a real shame if she stopped being chinese in order to be a muslim,its not necessary,muslim does not mean arab.
    Why must you change you name?alot of malaysians,esp indonesians still have buddhist /hindu names ie:budi,prana etc etc.Next time a muslim says that ask them their name,good chance its not an arab name but a hindu buddhist or even animist one!
    My wife is 9/10th generation chinese and lives inthe worlds most populous muslim nation but untill meeeting me thought :muslims worshipped muhammed,always had more than one wife etc,….unbelievable!! Thats what annoys the malays about the chinese, the way they think they are so superior to the natives,and so few of them make even a little effort to know what islam is!
    Chinese have a great culture and chinese tradtion and chinese adat,esp konfuchu and taoism can lead to a greater insight into islam,well for me certianly islam didnt makealot of sense untill i understood it in confucian and taoist terms
    As for your views about islam,that kind of liberalism is ironically alot better tolerated in Indonesia,where chinese/malayu relations are worse,so it is not so much a religous issue,but economic and social issue..My teacher sometimes often discouraged people from entering islam as it was not apropriate for them at that point lifeeven though he was a muslim
    Saying other people have a right to their own religion is not apostasy,no ones goingto hell for having an opinion.Turning your back on the truth within yourself is apostasy,obviosuly at the time of tribal war when muhammed first bought the faith,apostasy was like treason or breaking an oath,you were a traitor,it was a warriors code.

    The malayu people for the most part only converted to islam because the muslims who bought islam to those countries were able to explain it to them using the existing hindu/buddhist culture.Ironically some ofthe great pioneers of islam in south east asia were chinese
    There is a whole tradtion of diversity/integration in islamic tradtion that people in the islamic world have lost touch with,that has to be bought back.The greatest scholars in islam:al ghazaali,ibn arabi,ibn rushud,rumi had an understnading of islam that transcended the religous form alone.In fact Ghazzali placed some categories of muslims as below the level of chrisitans in his spiritual typology.
    At this point in history people need to reconnect with themselves as human beings who have shared problems,not agaisnt each other.Islam is based on the principle of unty ,so in reality the seperation of things,cultures,religion is only illusionary.

    Comment published by darul islam on 12 September 2007.
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25. you said yuo were a Catholic before but I say you could not have been one or probably never even knew what it means to be a Catholic. Becasue Catholics do not believe Jesus died and washed away all our sin and no matter what you do, your aslvation is garunteed. Catholics belives, yes, Jesus died for our sins meaning to show us God’s way how to stay away from sin. Therefore faith in Jesus’ word is where one understands they have sin and came to realize that is not the God’s way and thereafter takes a vow to stay away fro sin.

    Thanks

    Comment published by annonymous on 28 September 2007.
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26. yeah rightt..

    “Malaysia is a FREE country”

    sure…

    well its free 2 all religions except Malays AND citizens that are married 2 a malay. I think that is so not fair!! as for the malays they never got a chance to actually experiance of learn about other religions besides what they have been thought by their religious teachers.

    They are stuffed with all this thinkin that Allah is the one true God
    no other but him..

    WAKE UP GUYS!!

    go learn bout the facts and truth bout Islam other than what is thought in the Quran before u embrace that religion!!

    im not sayin Islam is fake or untrue..
    but i think that u guys should really know what u guys are believing in. Why is this your choice when u have not even studied about other religions?
    are u so SURE what the Quran’s saying is so true?

    i am a christian myself.
    i have studied religions and am sure what i am believin in..
    are u?

    Comment published by mei on 22 October 2007.
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27. ” have studied religions and am sure what i am believin in..
    are u?” i studied the the bibles + other books before… did u studied the Quran? Wake up la… perhaps u’ve read the Quran but didn’t even try to understand its content..

    Comment published by ano on 20 December 2007.
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28. Let me enlighten you on just one key but all important difference between Christianity & Islam.

    U onverted to being a Muslim and not asingle Christian on the entire planet ever threatened your life or your personal well-being.

    Well my friend….let talk hypothetical scenario here……..lets say that you after a few years decide you want to leave Islam……I guarantee you that your life will be in danger and you will either have to go into hiding like Lina Joy or leave the country.

    Now let me ask you a simple question. Why would anyone want to be part of a religion that advocates killing a person who disavows that religion. Why are Muslims so desperate that they have the threaten other Muslims who want to leave Islam. Why is it that no other religion puts a gun to your head and says “Either you stay a Muslim or we are going to kill you”.

    Therein lies a key difference between Islam and all other Faiths.

    I can almost predict in advance how most Muslims will respond to my post……the more reasoned ones will say what has been repeated a thousand times by Muslims everywhere…….I quote ” oh its not the religion that is the problem, its these misguided souls who dont understand Islam”.

    Well here is my response to that : Why is it that other faiths dont exhibit the same pathology. Why is it that our friend Kris was never threatened by other Catholics when he converted to Islam.

    Well Kris there is a saying here in the States that I am sure you are aware of - If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck…………..I think you get my drift

    Comment published by Mattster on 6 January 2008.
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29. I’am Asian and I proud of it

    Why should i believe that God is a white man like jesus?
    Jesus is truly human then transformed to God by voting (funny)
    Wake up…lah

    Comment published by Ming on 21 January 2008.
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30. I came to read Kris’s article and found it to be breathtaking. However, on the flip side of the coin, I am a Christian convert and found peace and unity with Almighty God through Christ Jesus. I can relate to Kris. I thank Jesus that He showed me the way to God, the truth in his words and the meaning of life on this earth and hereafter. I’m glad he called me to follow Him and not man’s doctrine. I changed from a frustrated muslimah to a joyful, grateful ‘daughter’ of God. I love the muslims and pray for them. I will pray for you Kris. God is blessing you right now.

    Comment published by ct on 30 January 2008.
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31. I converted to Islam but was born,baptised and confirmed a Roman Catholic.After 5 years of studying and living Islam, I’ve decided that I want to go back to being Catholic for various reasons.If God/Allah wanted me to be a Muslim then why was I born a Roman Catholic?

    Comment published by Kashief on 6 February 2008.
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32. Hi, Ming… just to let you know… Jesus wasn’t white, he was Asian.

    Ideas - each is entitled to his/her own. And the only reason why it seems some people are “enforcing” their beliefs on others is because their religion specifically mentioned that each believer has to share his/her faith. You don’t find Hindus/Buddhists hopping from house to house and waving a Bible/Quran at another person because it is not required of him/her.

    In actual fact, “enforcing” is when the person gets hyped up and over-enthusiastic. Nevertheless, it is entirely up to the listener to accept/reject what he/she hears.

    I believe arguing about one’s religion will not get anybody anywhere. Everyone believes what he/she follows is the right path. Even within a same religion, there are so many arguments as to how we should follow this “right” path. That’s one reason why the number of atheists are on the rise in recent times.

    I believe each person is entitled to his/her own judgment. I may find a practice of some other religion illogical as to how it would help me draw closer to God, and others might disagree with me because they’d think it does help draw them closer to God. Each to his/her own. Holding judgmental thoughts about a certain practice is human… everyone passes judgment on practically everything. But voicing out that judgmental thought on a public arena is equal to destroying the reputation of person, telling them in the face: “Your religion sucks. My religion rocks. Now if you’re not happy about it, just get lost.”

    Where is this kind of comment going to get us? Both parties will be unhappy, and this only encourages hate and gets people upset.

    Then what is the point of religion? To build us up. To make us more human. To help us see the world with God’s compassion.

    If having a religion only gives us license to rant about other religions, then there is no point in this whole religion fiesta. Religion will only be a way to create war - a war of hearts and minds.

    And I don’t think God (of any religion, take your pick as to suit your preference) or people (let’s not forget about those who left the tracks of pursuing truth in a religion because of our two-faced-ness in upholding our respective religions) would like that very much.

    Well, I wouldn’t.

    “Don’t hate me for thinking that Christ dying for the sins of such villains is blind salvation and a mockery to justice. I am not forcing my beliefs on anyone.”

    I don’t hate you. Eternity will shed light on what’s really true. So everyone’s gotta research hard and deep into what they want to believe, and hang onto what they perceive as the true faith. And we’ll find out what’s real and what’s not. Soon enough. Memento mori.

    All the best, everyone.

    Comment published by Emiror Li on 12 February 2008.
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