Why do I say that a double standard exists in Singapore? Well, I recall that when the Da Vinci Code movie and book were popular here, it upset many Christians like myself and caused many of us to question our faith. It also caused many non-Christians to believe that the whole Christian faith was a hoax. Yet, the authorities did nothing about it, though I am sure many Christians voiced their concerns and hoped that the movie and book would be banned.To make matters worse, well-watched documentary TV channels took advantage of the movie's popularity and aired documentaries (such as the Gospel Of Judas) here that further undermined the Christian faith. These documentaries, the movie and similar publications said many things which Christians regard as blasphemous. For example, they disputed the death and resurrection of Jesus, a fundamental truth of Christianity, and said that He had sex and hence children with Mary Magdalene.
So I can't help but think that it is somehow okay to "mock" or "test" Christians here, but not believers of other faiths. (Don't get me wrong. I am not saying that it is right to mock other religions.)
No one doubts that such movies and books would never be allowed in Singapore if they were undermining, say, Islam. Can you imagine what would happen if a Da Vinci Code type of movie and book about the Muslim faith were to be screened and sold here?
So why do the other faiths here seem to enjoy more protection than the Christian faith? Were the movie, documentaries and books permitted to be shown and sold in Singapore because Christians here were not vocal enough, that is, we did not protest in the streets or call for the death of Dan Brown? Must it come to that before we are heard? Didn't the religious harmony bill speak loud enough for us?
Perhaps we are seen as more tolerant, less volatile -- hence it's okay to push the boundaries when it comes to content that undermines and mocks the Christian faith.
I really hope that in future, Christians here can enjoy the same amount of protection the other faiths here enjoy. Let's be fair.
8 comments:
I agree! There are double standards. Maybe its cos Christians are percieved as 'liberal'-minded, & tolerant of criticism. You can send your letter to the ST as well as PMO. PMO will definitely give you a response as its valid comment/feedback but ST might not print it as its bound to incite debate :)
Yes Jean, I sent a similarly worded letter to ST and Today a few days ago, but it has not been printed. It's very hard to get your letter printed in the local papers. If it gets printed, it's like striking 4D!
Welcome to this world guys.....they call it national security if you have not heard.As for us we are taught by Christ that if the world hates you,they will hate Him first. So just be Christ like and be strong in faith.
Well, if gay ST does not print it, straighter Today might. If not, there is YouTube. The new media they can't ignore.
it's not about double standard, but rather, it about what can the authority do (with regards to da vinci movie). you cant expect singapore or the rest of thworld to ban it.
If they can ban chewing gum, they can ban anything. But I doubt they'll do anything because they know Christians won't react the way Muslims or Buddhists will react.
Despite what you claim, mediating authorities do censor (perfectly legitimate works of art) films out of religious "respect".
Easy examples include "The Last Temptation of Christ" and "Monty Python's Life of Brian".
The reason why The DaVinci code differs in such sharp contrast to Rony Tan's seminar is such an obvious one. It was the fact that the Da Vinci code was presented as a work of fiction, while Pastor Tan's routine was meant to be serious (if you remove the weak jokes).
I did not personally think Pastor Tan's presentation was particularly offensive, you would have to be pretty gullible to take him seriously. But then it occurred to me that many of the present congregation did indeed take it seriously.
Yes, there is some censorship, definitely, but the standards differ. And your point about the DVC being fictional? Well, if I wrote a book of lies about prophet Muhammad and Islam, but it's all just "fictional", would that be allowed in Singapore. I don't think so -- double standards.
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