Religion is Evil?

Some weeks ago, blogs after blogs I visited were lamenting about Sir Elton John's comment about banning religion. The reason being religion is the root of hatred. This is nothing new. Of course coming from Sir Elton John, a celebrity, it caught the attention of many. I personally have heard "religion is the root of evil" many many times before. As the comments were coming from ordinary everyday folks, I just shrug it off.

It is no secret many believe religion had caused more conflict, diversion and bloodshed than any other thing in human history. Personally, I never gave it much thought. As a Christian, I guess I did not find it to be something worth pondering about because I know from the bible peace on earth would only prevail after endtime.

I came across this article in the net and I wish to share it on my blog. I know I could not have said it better myself in a million years. Bless the author who wrote the article....

The Evils of Religion

Dinesh D'Souza has an fine rebuttal to the flatly false claims made by the spate of atheist authors recently, namely that religion is responsible for the greatest ills of mankind.

Don't be fooled by this rhetorical legerdemain. Dawkins and Harris cannot explain why, if Nazism was directly descended from medieval Christianity, medieval Christianity did not produce a Hitler. How can a self-proclaimed atheist ideology, advanced by Hitler as a repudiation of Christianity, be a "culmination" of 2,000 years of Christianity? Dawkins and Harris are employing a transparent sleight of hand that holds Christianity responsible for the crimes committed in its name, while exonerating secularism and atheism for the greater crimes committed in their name.

Religious fanatics have done things that are impossible to defend, and some of them, mostly in the Muslim world, are still performing horrors in the name of their creed. But if religion sometimes disposes people to self-righteousness and absolutism, it also provides a moral code that condemns the slaughter of innocents. In particular, the moral teachings of Jesus provide no support for - indeed they stand as a stern rebuke to - the historical injustices perpetrated in the name of Christianity.

Atheist hubris

The crimes of atheism have generally been perpetrated through a hubristic ideology that sees man, not God, as the creator of values. Using the latest techniques of science and technology, man seeks to displace God and create a secular utopia here on earth. Of course if some people - the Jews, the landowners, the unfit, or the handicapped - have to be eliminated in order to achieve this utopia, this is a price the atheist tyrants and their apologists have shown themselves quite willing to pay. Thus they confirm the truth of Fyodor Dostoyevsky's dictum, "If God is not, everything is permitted."

Whatever the motives for atheist bloodthirstiness, the indisputable fact is that all the religions of the world put together have in 2,000 years not managed to kill as many people as have been killed in the name of atheism in the past few decades.

It's time to abandon the mindlessly repeated mantra that religious belief has been the greatest source of human conflict and violence. Atheism, not religion, is the real force behind the mass murders of history.

Blessing All The Way

A good friend handed me 3 pieces of sermon CDs of a pastor in a Singapore church. This was given to my friend by his Singapore cousin. As my friend is not a Christian and the only CDs he listens to are hits from MTV, he gave them to me. Probably nobody else wanted it. I dunno, I'm a sucker for freebies, so, why not?

I've not heard of this pastor before, but judging from the CD cover, I can conclude alot of attention has been given in the packaging department.

I put the CD into my car player and just 5 minutes, a mere 5 minutes, I can count at least 10 times the word 'blessing' was uttered. Another 3 more minutes, I lost count. Not an easy task trying to keep track of word count and trying to focus on the road ahead.

According to this pastor, God wants to bless you, prosper you and your achievements in life is dependent on God's 'favor' in your life. By definition of 'achievements' the pastor made it pretty clear he was referring to monetary matters. I don't think I misinterpret him because he proceeded to give examples like high salary and good jobs.
Someone told me later his church is pretty big in Singapore. I've yet verified it. Judging by the big congregation, I guess people are real suckers for 'the good news.' Nothing wrong with that? But, it's the Gospel of Good news without the Bad. I'm no genius, but the message that has gotten through to me is, God wants to prosper you, if you're not prospering, you're not in God's favor. Of course conventional churches will tell you the word prosper does not merely translate into a fat bank account. Not this pastor. No sir.

It just saddens me how God's favor is measured in materialistic blessing. I for one know with all my heart this is wrong. I hope his hundreds of church members who did not quite make the cut do not feel God forsaken them. Just think, if God's favor meant material prosperity, then for the rest of us who are not living the good life can take in comfort knowing we are not really that forsaken for we had the apostles and Paul in our club. The Club of Non-Favors & Blessing.

How many of the apostles and men of God were living the good life? Yeah, they had the peace and joy of the Lord, but by measurement of material wealth, they had zit. Paul was doing well himself before his encounter with Christ. Paul was a learned man and I'm sure as a Jew, he had all the perks that went along with his inheritance. What happened when he met Christ? He forsaken all his Jewish rights, left the comfort of his home and most of the time running like a fugitive from the authorities. Not exactly the picture of prosperity and blessing in the worldly sense this pastor preached about right?

Explaining Tsunami to the People

Why Tsunami happened? To be frank, I’ve not heard anyone asking this question for almost a year. When Tsunami happened back in 2004, it was in many people’s mind. Churches dedicated sermons after sermons trying to reassure believers reason to continue to believe. For non-Christians, I guess their sermons made no sense. Seriously, how can you explain to non-Christians why God allowed Tsunami to happen?

This question came up in my last cell meeting. I’m surprised at the various answers given by my fellow Christians. Look, I’m not saying I got special revelations from the Almighty telling me why it happened. God don’t owe me an answer. But hearing what many people (Christians) said, all I can say was, “Gee, you really thought that?”

“God wanted to punish the people. The people there are praying to idols so God sent Tsunami to wipe them out.”

That’s the popular explanation most folks came up with. Personally, I doubt God would do such thing. Why? There are worst injustices and sufferings around the world. In fact, God never promised a perfect world now. If God chose to deal with evil this way, Sudan, Middleast and even the corrupt ways of the West would have been higher on His priority list.

Nevertheless, it’s understandable Christians think that from what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah. What I cannot tolerate and find utterly ridiculous was when some said,

“God used Tsunami to lead the lost to Christianity.”

As for the non-Christians, I personally find it not too hard to explain in ordinary term. I’m not a bible scholar. But, the beauty of explaining to the people is, you don’t need to be a bible scholar and quote bible verses to substantiate your claim. All you need is common sense and common sense is universal. Regardless of your faith.

Why God allow Tsunami to happen?

When people asked this question, it’s important to really find out what this individual is really asking.


1) Is the person asking why so many lives are lost in that tragedy?

2) The method/circumstances these people lost their lives. Why Tsunami.

For the 1st question, I would have to say, it’s an undeniable fact people die. There are some who died succumbing to illness, there are those who die because of old age. For example, Mr X had a heart attack. The doctor was able to revive him. Mr X lived for another 3 years before dying peacefully of old age on his bed.

Did the doctor saved him? Yes and no. The doctor saved him from death 3 years ago but in my opinion, it’s more accurate to say the doctor prolonged his life 3 years ago. We are destined for death the moment we are born into this world. Some lived longer than others, but, death is an inevitable process everyone has to go through once. (twice if you’re lucky) Going back to the Tsunami question why so many lives are lost, I can safely say, life are lost the moment they are born into this world. It’s just a matter of time.

Question no.2 dealt with people’s indignance why lives are lost to Tsunami. For this, I would have to ask, why not? Since we established there is no escaping from death, then, what is the preferred means of death if not Tsunami? Heart attack, old age, stroke, cancer, AIDS? Do people prefer to die of something else other than Tsunami? Say, car accident?

Say, you're the most Holy person ever. You're religious, God-fearing, kind-hearted and charitable, you will die one of these days. If you're the most evil person who ever walked on the face of the earth, you still die, one way or another. Therefore, being good or being bad has no implications whatsoever on the life cycle of a person.

Once you accept the fact people will die once in their lifetime, the means and ways the person lost their life becomes secondary.

Grief is very real to people who lost their loved ones in Tsunami. (or under other circumstances) There is no denying the fact, Christians or non-Christians. The only difference between the two is the belief and faith of Christians that they will unite one day with their lost ones in a place called Heaven while non-Christians have to grapple with uncertainty and pain of losing one permanently.

From Faith to Faith

Romans 1:17 - For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

I was having a serious debate with a frustrated friend. My friend has been trying to share Christ with another friend, whom I’ll refer as A, for sometime without success. A had apparently asked my friend what proof can she give there is actually a God?

This is nothing new. In the secular world, A’s retort is pretty much expected. In fact, I believe many Christians even empathize with A. Afterall if you ask me to believe, the burden of proof is on your shoulders, right?

“Show me proof Christ is real”
“Let me experience God and I’ll believe..”
“I want to see with my eyes to believe..”
“You know what is good for you, so do I. Stop telling me what to believe”

Sounds familiar? People who had tried to share Christ inevitably will come across these statements/excuses/retorts. My friend complained if only God gave A a little faith, then things would be easier. Me, on the other hand , fresh from hearing Romans 1:17 ‘from faith to faith’ disagreed with her.

Paul said ‘from faith to faith.’ There is assuredly a certain degree of given faith to everyone. Regardless you’re in Christ or not. It’s just a matter of choice whether the individual chose to exercise this faith inside them. Not convince?

Would your friend ask you for proof and demand infallible assurance when you

• Ask her go shopping for that dinner dress? Will they ask, what proof can you show me I’ll see something I like?

• Go play a game or two the game of bridge? What statistic can you furnish me I’ll have the winning odds? (people play to win, right?)

• Watch the newest blockbuster release in the cinema? What assurance can you give me I’ll enjoy my money’s worth?

• Go vacation (if financially permissible)? How can you provide proof I’ll experience the best vacation here?

• Watch football/go fishing/pub-hopping? What are the odds I’ll be a happy man sporting the winning team/catch?

They don’t ask for proof, evidence or assurance when you ask them to do the things they want to do, right? Everything and every action mentioned above required certain ‘faith’ for one to actually do. There is already a certain God-given faith present in everyone but it’s just that people are selective about exercising them.

Ultimately, there is only so much one can do when you share Christ. Be still and know that He is God. It's in the Lord's hand.

An Apology

Firsty, I would like to apologize for my lack of posting. I will try to post on a regular basis from now on. I woud like to thank all folks who took the time and come visit this blog.

Please do not hesistate to drop in a line or two if you have different thoughts about my posts. I believe it's through the exchange of thoughts that enable us to see more clearly and hopefully edify each other.

If God is Love then why Not All go Heaven?

I remembered when I followed one of my Church friend B to breakfast, she was talking about Jesus and his love for us is so great, he's willing to die on the cross for our sins. Another friend who is not a Christian retorted,

"If Jesus is really all about love and compassion, then why not all go Heaven? Afterall, didn't you say he even love sinners?"

She got a point. Good question. Why aren't everybody saved?

To make things simple, I'll just dwell on the word love. Many Christians used the word love so much it's over-emphazied, in fact it overkills.

The google dictionary said love is...

1. A deep, tender, ineffable feeling of affection and solicitude toward a person, such as that arising from kinship, recognition of attractive qualities, or a sense of underlying oneness.
2. A feeling of intense desire and attraction toward a person with whom one is disposed to make a pair; the emotion of sex and romance.
1. Sexual passion.
2. Sexual intercourse.
3. A love affair.

I bet many who were approached by Christians before will hear that line "Jesus is love." True. 100% agree. But, is Jesus only about love? A resounding NO. To answer why not all go to heaven, I'll just pick on 2 main points.

1. Jesus is love but he is not just all about love. Remember when you were kids, you wanted the chocolate bar, the chopper/BMX, sodas, more pocket money, stay up late, Ipod? Did your parents give all these on a whim? No? Hey, does that mean you're not their child and they don't love you? The simple truth is, love isn't just giving in to every whims and fancy. If, I say if, GOd were to give in to everything its followers wanted, do you still think missionaries and Christians still need to pester you to CHurch? Nay. The Church would be fully packed with people coming for the next lottery numbers. True love requires discipline as well. God is a God of Love as much as He is a God of Justice. He cannot tolerate sin and injustice. God punishes as much as he rewards. That is God's nature.

2. Free will/liberty. God has given us the freewill and liberty to choose whether to believe or not to believe. God wanted people to believe not because they are required by law or ancestral tradition to do so. Nobody can make you a believer unless you want to in your heart to.

I don't blame Christians who stressed on the word Love when they spread their gospel. Sometimes we have to look into their intent. When their intent is noble and pure, I guess we should not be too hard on them. Look, not everybody is a lawyer or talk like a lawyer. You know what lawyer do? They weigh every word and every sentences so they are 'covered' and stood up in the court of law. We don't, right? In our daily conversation, we do not scrutinize every word that comes out of our mouth so we can be 'legally' right and not deemed misleading. Gee, that's a tall order, right? If that is the case, we won't be able to engage in a conversation without getting a law degree.

The truth is, God is a God of love as much as a God of justice and that is also why, not everyone can go to Heaven. I think that is a fair deal. Nobody's gonna shove Heaven down your throat. You can do so only if you chose to.

Monotheism & Don't Islam, Judaism & Christianity teach the Same thing?

John Godfrey Saxe's ( 1816-1887) version of the famous Indian legend,

It was six men of Indostan
To learning much inclined,
Who went to see the Elephant
(Though all of them were blind),
That each by observation
Might satisfy his mind.

The First approached the Elephant,
And happening to fall
Against his broad and sturdy side,
At once began to bawl:
"God bless me! but the Elephant
Is very like a wall!"

The Second, feeling of the tusk
Cried, "Ho! what have we here,
So very round and smooth and sharp?
To me `tis mighty clear
This wonder of an Elephant
Is very like a spear!"

The Third approached the animal,
And happening to take
The squirming trunk within his hands,
Thus boldly up he spake:
"I see," quoth he, "the Elephant
Is very like a snake!"

The Fourth reached out an eager hand,
And felt about the knee:
"What most this wondrous beast is like
Is mighty plain," quoth he;
"'Tis clear enough the Elephant
Is very like a tree!"

The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear,
Said: "E'en the blindest man
Can tell what this resembles most;
Deny the fact who can,
This marvel of an Elephant
Is very like a fan!"

The Sixth no sooner had begun
About the beast to grope,
Than, seizing on the swinging tail
That fell within his scope.
"I see," quoth he, "the Elephant
Is very like a rope!"

And so these men of Indostan
Disputed loud and long,
Each in his own opinion
Exceeding stiff and strong,
Though each was partly in the right,
And all were in the wrong!

Moral:

So oft in theologic wars,
The disputants, I ween,
Rail on in utter ignorance
Of what each other mean,
And prate about an Elephant
Not one of them has seen!

That used to sum up my beliefs about the different religion and God.

I put this analogy under monotheism. I know Judaism, Islam & Christianity practices monotheism. These faiths believe in one true God.

My friend once asked me isn't Islam and Christianity the same? The only difference is Muslims believe in Prophet Muhammad while you Christians believe in Jesus Christ.....

To many non-Christians, this is a very small issue whom you follow, as long as you work for one BIG BOSS. (so to speak...) I agree, like the story above. Let's say you work for Microsoft accounts department and your friend is in the R&D department. Both your department head are different individuals, and the work approach and requirements of your job are very different. Nevertheless, you are both working for Microsoft. Like the poem above, different individuals touching the elephant will experience different perception. Reasonable....... but, it is only reasonable and acceptable if we can state with 100% certainty we are experiencing the same God. Like in the poem, this analogy can only be acceptable, if, the 6 blindmen were led to touch the same animal. Unless we can prove that we are experiencing the same God, I find it hard to buy the elephant and blindman theory when it comes to matters of faith.

"Doesn't Islam and Christianity teaches the same things??"

Doctrine wise, there are alot of similarites between Islam and the Old Testament. But the greatest and biggest difference between the two is ....

**Being Mocked: The Essence of Christ’s Work, Not Muhammad’s

What we saw this past week in the Islamic demonstrations over the Danish cartoons of Muhammad was another vivid depiction of the difference between Muhammad and Christ, and what it means to follow each. Not all Muslims approve the violence. But a deep lesson remains: The work of Muhammad is based on being honored and the work of Christ is based on being insulted. This produces two very different reactions to mockery.
This was not true of Muhammad. And Muslims do not believe it is true of Jesus. Most Muslims have been taught that Jesus was not crucified. One Sunni Muslim writes, “Muslims believe that Allah saved the Messiah from the ignominy of crucifixion.”1 Another adds, “We honor [Jesus] more than you [Christians] do. . . . We refuse to believe that God would permit him to suffer death on the cross.”2 An essential Muslim impulse is to avoid the “ignominy” of the cross.

That’s the most basic difference between Christ and Muhammad and between a Muslim and a follower of Christ. For Christ, enduring the mockery of the cross was the essence of his mission. And for a true follower of Christ enduring suffering patiently for the glory of Christ is the essence of obedience.

It means that a religion with no insulted Savior will not endure insults to win the scoffers. *

Both Islam and Christianity profess there is only one GOd. If what they taught about their 'One' God is so different, how can they be the same God?? There is a possibility both can be wrong, but, there is no chance both of them are right about their Gods.

Therefore the God in Islam is NOT the same with the God of Christianity.

Note: **The above lines were taken from article written by John Piper. The article in full could be read here,
http://www.desiringgod.org/library/fresh_words/2006/020806.html

Why? Why? Why? Why is your God Real & My God Not??

I remember my boy used to drive me nuts whenever we sit in front of the TV. There are a million, zillion why, why, whys to distract me from my show. Thank God those days are over. I guess question time is the phase each child goes through. It is the quest for truth and reason that determine the maturity and understanding of his/her subsequent adulthood. Without questioning we will never get the answer. There are of course people who can go through life feeling adequate with answers fed to them by others. For those who are not content with what is handed down, and seek to see for themselves, I applaud you. For it is through our own desire to learn that can pacify our hunger for the truth.

Before I was a Christian (not so long ago), there were many 'whys' that crossed my mind. I tried to seek answer from other Christians, and more often than not, I get quotings from the bible scripture. Nope, that is not wrong to quote from bible... but, to a non-believer or shall I say, non-convinced individual, that is not an answer. I'm even doubting the veracity of the bible, and you trying to convince me with the scripture is not good enough. "How I know your bible is true in the first place??"

To a non-believer, the strength of argument lies in the reasoning, inspired by the bible, explained from a non-believer's perspective. Something people can relate to. There is no point quoting Joseph, Abraham, Moses, Matthew etc when many simply do not know who they are.

This is a series I will post regarding many questions facing non-believers (and some Christians too, we are all learning, right?) and answered by me in simple terms. I do not profess my reasonings/answers to be infallible. None of us can, except God. But, it is my best effort and my own encounter in my quest to answer many faith questions, I asked, not too long ago.

The first question when I was yet a believer was....

"How can Christians be so arrogant claiming their God is the true one while others are not? My God (Hindu Gods, Kwan Yin, Buddha, Kwan Dai etc) are also God that teaches us to do good. Isn't that enough? I believe any religion which teaches you to do good is sufficient! All religion is the same!"

Good question, right?

Firstly, I divide my answer to address monotheism and polytheism.

Polytheism is the belief that there are many Gods. In some Indian and mostly Chinese culture, people believe there are many Gods. (I am familliar with the Chinese beliefs, therefore I'll dwell more on the Chinese culture) In fact, the Chinese are notorious for their number of Gods. Sky GOd, Kitchen God, Land God, Fortune God, Sea God... and Gods you go worship if you want to strike lottery or windfall fortune. Chinese and Indians believe in the law of retribution. Meaning, if you do good, you'll be rewarded. If you do bad, you'll be punished. Sometimes in this lifetime, or in hell. In the secular sense, this ain't a bad practice, right? People are encouraged to do good... isn't that great??

Yes and No. Yes, it is good if your purpose is to encourage people to do good to each other. No, if you are in pursuit of the truth. What truth? The truth about God. We know that Kwan Yin is an Indian princess. Kwan Dai was one of the character in the historical true story Water Margin.

Kwan Yin and Kwan Dai are epitomes of the qualities loyalty, compassion, integrity, kindness and everything we admire and respect in a human being. We hope to be more like them. We hope our children/loved ones will possess these enduring traits. We worship them and commemerate them for possessing all these. But, it is one thing to admire them for their traits, but it is another thing to elevate them to God status. Kwan Yin and Kwan Dai never said they are God, we are the ones who call them God. I've known people who call JLo goddess.... but, that's a different thing, right? ..........Come to think of it, no. It's not that different.

Our admiration and respect for these individuals can never justify us handing them God status like it is some kind of award. That's an important distinction. I know many people get upset when others say their 'God' is not real. Yes, you can chose to worship anything you want, but, just because your object of worship is worthy of your devotion, does not change the reality that these "Gods" never claimed to be GOd when they were alive.

My point is, as a person who are afforded the freedom of religion, you can chose to worship the banana, your car, the designer label, the USD or even your girlfriend if you wanted to. But, at the same time, you got to realize your decision to do so does not make the object of worship any more powerful or real than before you do. Agree?

In reality, and in 100% honesty, we are more upset at the fact that our freedom of decision (in worship) is violated than the fact others call our object of worship non-God or non-valid. One good example is my ex-neighbour. She is a widow with a 30+ years old drug addict son. He does not work and steals money from the lady. I can hear this lady screaming at the son few blocks away. "Garbage!" That's what the lady called the son.

One fine afternoon, this lady was having a big shouting tournament with her next door neighbour. It seems, the next door neighbour casually mentioned the fact to one of her relative that this lady's son is "good for nothing." All hell broke loose when the mother heard and she was screaming at the neighbour, "how dare you call my son good for nothing?"

Huh?? It's OK for the mother to call her son garbage but she gets defensive of her son when other people pointed out her son's flaw? Many times, most of us are like the mother. We get defensive about our belief and our rights. Please understand that this has nothing to do with the truth itself....

to be continued....