Singapore Democrats

A point touched upon by John calls for a footnote reminder.

Paul said, towards the end of his letter to the Romans, that we should subject ourselves to the world's powers and authorities as they are God's appointed agents for the execution of justice, etc.

We must see this in context. At that stage of his life, he could see Rome as God's agent for justice for himself. For he had been unjustly and even cruelly treated by the Jewish establishment("authority" also, don't forget!), flogged, stoned, etc., and it was Rome he finally appealed to as a Roman citizen that could promise him anything resembling a fair trial.

Now, subsequent experience for Paul was to show, yet again, that "power currupts", whether Jewish or Roman. The mad emperor Nero made Christians scapegoats for a fire in Rome probably he himself started in order to facilitate his plan to rebuild Rome. He fiddled while Rome burned. Paul was beheaded and Peter, not being Roman citizen, was crucified in the persecutions of Christians that followed. And we know what other persecutions under what subsequent emperors followed.

So, Paul must have learnt from hard experience that it is not the case that any power-that-be must be God-appointed. The truth lies more in the Confucian belief that "the Mandate of Heaven (to rule) is not unchanging, that Heaven sees with the eyes of the people, and that where Heaven withdraws its mandate, the people should revolt".

Profound Christmas Message.
Have to agree with you on the submitting to authority part. Many pastors would choose to interprete the easy way out for fear of authority and partly many of the elders and church leaders are high positions civil servants. Blessed Christmas. God Bless You.

“This contradicts the popular contemporary interpretation among many Singaporean Christians that we must submit to authority no matter what. Although this perception has its source in a few verses from the book of Romans, it is a serious misinterpretation about respecting the authority.”

With this video, SDP shows that it even has to resort to quoting from the Bible to convince Singaporeans (Christian or otherwise) that they have been misguided enough to submit themselves to the authorities here. There are sufficient reasons for some people not to respect (or like) the authorities without having to imply that they have misinterpreted a religious book.

SDP should also refrain from implicitly trying to draw a parallel between its attention-grabbing law-breaking exploits with those cited in any religious books. Based on the underlying political intents of its antics, such a comparison would be too derogatory.

I find this tactic of using religious references totally unnecessary, unwise, and .... misguided. I wonder if any religious book ever instructs its followers not to use religion as a means to pursue politics.

SDP just can't keep itself to a simple “merry Xmas to all” like everyone else.

BryanT wrote:
"I find this tactic of using religious references totally unnecessary, unwise, and .... misguided. I wonder if any religious book ever instructs its followers not to use religion as a means to pursue politics."

That's only your opinion, BryanT, and thank you for sharing. Religious books tell us to help the suffering, and political engagement can aid greatly to achieve such a goal, as John has described.

Was Martin Luther King's approach "totally unnecessary, unwise, and misguided" as well? Was the late JBJ's approach misguided as well?

"SDP just can't keep itself to a simple “merry Xmas to all” like everyone else."

Yes, I'm glad the SDP is different.

May God Bless BryanT.

Quantum, thanks for the blessing. I'll assume that you offer that in the same good spirit that I'll now offer to you : Have a merry xmas!

Seelan, you said that "religious books tell us to help the suffering." There are many good and righteous things that religious books convey. The problems are usually not with their content, but how the so-called interpreters (such as John) exploit them for their inane causes.

I can't resist not throwing in Mr Twain again when he said, "In religion and politics, people's beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second hand, and without examination."

Worse still when some people try to squeeze political juice out of the biblical papers, and try to call it the elixir of democracy.

As for JBJ, he would squeeze vile out of almost anything, much to the disappointment of those who at least admired his conviction.

And yes, a sore-thumb is also different.

I'll make the assumption that you are not Christian, so, "Happy holidays, and have a good year ahead!"

On the one hand, BryanT said:

"SDP just can't keep itself to a simple “merry Xmas to all” like everyone else.
He then resort to using christian believe to cast doubt on people."

On the other hand he has to say this:

"Quantum, thanks for the blessing. I'll assume that you offer that in the same good spirit that I'll now offer to you : Have a merry xmas!"

So why can't he keep it a simple "Merry Xmas"? Why must deliberately add qualification to cast doubts on others?

A case of double standards?

Oh I guess maybe a simple case of a brain made of brown substance.

Oh BryanT,

Are you not going on vacation?

May God bless you. Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year

Hi Jufrie,

Of all the greetings, yours is the best.

Your sincerity shows what SDP wants for Singaporeans who are under the yoke of a greedy, oppressive regime.

SDP is the only party that transcends racial and religious prejudices to uphold a truly Singaporean Singapore, an ideal that the PAP had long forgotten.

Jufrie, merry Xmas and wishing you (and SDP) a good year ahead. Best wishes too, should the next be an election year.

PS. actually holidayed and back already. Good that you did not notice my "absence" :)

Ah Kow, a simple merry Xmas to you too.

Hello, "Do you always do, what you are being told to do?"

Submit to authority, never questioning, civil obedience...

Unjust laws are stupid laws

On Christmas eve, we are being told to pray for the Government for wisdom, for their health, for blessing

From a young age, I thought this is really pathetic

What does the celebration of the birth Christ got to do with Govt ?

Well said,John.I thought this is the best and most appropriate Christmas message I had heard so far.Strictly speaking,I myself am a Christian but heck I know that there are many pesudo-Christians in Singapore and the rest of the world.I myself am very disappointed at the behaviour of these so-called Christians and the things they have done.Some of them have become shameless and are unable to differenate between right and wrong.

Christmas isn't a time to shop and I think many don't understand what Christmas is all about.Just last night,one church held a grand buffet at the park downstairs and many of the residents went there just for the food and to listen to Christmas carols.

Theory wise,I agree 100% with those who said we must fight for democracy.But how to fight is another question though.Taking a baton and hit someone from the PAP is definitely not the way.

John mentioned Gandhi,Luther King and others.May I also add-the late former S.Korean President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Mr Kim Dae Jung.He is a Christan(Roman Catholic) who had spent much of his life fighting against the military regimes during the '70s and '80s.He was nearly killed by the Park Chung Lee regime in 1973.He had fought for democracy and human rights in South Korea from the 1960s to the 1990s.

Yes,right now,I feel powerless rather than useless.I wish John well and I hope the SDP will work with the other opposition parties(SDA,WP,RP and NSP) to counter the dominant PAP and convince voters(whether local/foreign born) that they can form a credible alternative to the current PAP Govt.

Is the fear from the wrath of LKY greater than the wrath of God? I guess the power of LKY is greater, more so in Singapore's context. Wasn't that the experience of the Marxist Conspirators when the Catholic church kept mum about the whole incident and church leaders quietly complained that they were forced into the corner by LKY?

I suppose people are still awaiting the passing of LKY who is 86 before history can be revealed and clarified.

John deliver a fair Christmas message,is his of saying,"Merry X'mas"& Bryan,who r u to question his message?just bcuz u r free to blog?Political?u mean u know what is'polictical'& of all comments tat i have read tis year I find yours e least intelligent & i still challenge u to engage in politic or join one,stand for election & not give cheap pot shot here & there..u mention 'christian'a few times,so,what r u made of?u christian & why go around asking if one is "christian"when even if u r one,u coward ur value in rule of game,lest u forget,u critize e message another being is giving unbias in the righful blog & u?trying to show ur smart & 'holy'self again..u will stand in contrast of the few good men frm SDP who dare to belive & stand their conviction of belief even to be jailed,& u?NOTHING WORTH E MENTION!is wif SDP that this govt watch their step closely & frm time to time,not gung ho more new policy (of taxes)& tis country will not need u Brayn,who's talk is cheap & come nxt election,i shall be back to vote, of course if given e chance that BT Timah is not a walk over again..& who, maybe Bryan,if u stand up & fight as opposition, i might as my family, my friends & even 'new' citizen to vote for u but then,u coward,cheap pot shot...even with just days ending for 2009,,u must talk just to show off, but u miss e point,whether u christian or no christian,one day karma shall knock on your door..REMEMBER WE ALL LIVE WITH ONLY BORROW ENERGY OF THE UNIVERSE & YES,JOHN MESSAGE IS AS RELEVANT TODAY AS THE TIME OF JESUS'& TO ALL GOOD MEN, MERRY CHRISTMAS...

Hello, Practise what you preach

Government had no business being involved in religious affairs (something the Govt. always warned others not to)

The seperation of GOD and State
Somehow, we did found out most pastors in Singapore do preach about submitting to Govt authority, everything they do and said to correct. Pray for God guidance to be upon them

What we found is also true, our muslim brothers are complaining too.
It does not matter which Mosque you attend to any choice of yours.

In Singapore, all the sermons is preach exactly the same. Surprisely the Muslim friends felt short change, everything is well prepared before hand by Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura.

This is the most common complained

John, thanks for this Christmas message that is timely and relevant to all Singaporeans, Christian and non-Christian alike. We are ruled by leaders who have lost their conscience and worship the god of money, and if we do not speak up for truth, justice and human decency, we are no less guilty than them for allowing our country to degenerate into a cold soulless place.

At the end of it all, everyone must answer to the Almighty. Better be prepared, there is no way you can lie your way through or cover up over there.

Hope everyone had a good Christmas.

Thank you, John Tan for this special message; I agree that it is indeed a profound one. The biblical account of David and Goliath actually best encapsulates Mr Tan's message.

Lest accusations are hurled about any crossing of the line between religion and politics, I might add that secularism is only binding on the government - the Executive, and the Judiciary in particular - and is implemented in all government agencies as part of the political culture; the core prohibition in a secular state is the prohibition against the Executive and the Judiciary from interpreting doctrine (by deeming it to be right or wrong without any consideration for arguments from non-religious authorities). Even parliamentary backbenchers, along with non-sitting politicians, are exempt from this prohibition because they are in the House to represent the people and the people's religious convictions are part of the reality in any population.

Having said that, natural law - the basis of secular laws - also supports this message by Mr Tan in exactly the same way that natural law is against murder much as religious laws are.

Here's to a bountiful New Year for the SDP.