Last weekend was quite special for me. It was Good Friday and Easter day. Though I am not a Christian, I participated in a sermon in Friday evening and a church service in Sunday morning. The two activities left totally different impressions on me.
I and several friends are invited by a local friend to go to Expo to listen to a sermon given by Doctor Stephen Tong. Actually I got quite irritated and angry after the sermon. I do think any religion should be tender. However, some of the comments the Doctor gave to us were just too extreme and biased. He said: “Democratic is very dangerous, how can you let the fate of the whole nation go to numerous fools’ hands.” Did he mean that all the believers are stupid? Did he mean that we should go back to kaiserism or something like that? He also cursed the future of China and America, criticized the socialism and capitalism. He blamed other religions and many Christian Church and clergy as if he was the only man who is right in the world. How can a person be so aggressive? Is it the only way to prove you are right that you should tell others they are wrong? I don’t think so.
After the awful experience, I had no intention to go for the service in Sunday morning. However, I convinced myself it must be another situation.
The service was mostly proceeding in singing. Actually, I have been to several services in Singapore. The way they do the service was quite different from the one I watched in movies. It was not that solemn. In my imagination, it is not right to laugh in any religious rite. Nonetheless, all the preachers made jokes, and even themselves laughed now and then. I’d like to say this is the biggest cultural shock I have had in Singapore. To my surprise, I was invited to convert to Christian. I said I had little knowledge in God, so I could not let him led my life. They said it was OK, but they told me even I didn’t know much about God, I could still let God lead my life and show me the direction. “Everyone is sinner, you know.” I just could not accept. However, they did not push me and make me do that which I think was more like what a religion should be. They sent me a Bible. Whatever the intention is, I’d like to read it.
It is amazing that environment and education could make such a big difference in human being’s thinking manners.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I have similar experience like you. Anyway, it is their way to persuade more people to be Christians. You can disagree with them. However, there is no need for you to get angry. There is always something we can not understand in the world. Especially for us, we have come to SIngapore, a country with various races, culture, etc. We must learn to keep in harmony with the environment. You can hold your points of view. Just be calm and more receptive.
ReplyDeleteI have the same feeling with you after attending the service in the Life River church. As far as i know, church is a solemn and traditional place. The chior sings, the preacher presents a sermon and the believers listen quietly. But to my surprise, the Life River church looks like a big auditorium, with hundreds of seats and modern audio equipment. There is even a drum set and several electric guitars there, which are used by the rock music bands. After the service I asked a senior about my confusion. He told me that as the society develops, the way people celebrate Christian holidays is also varying. But the common belief is always the same. That is, keep Jesus in your mind all the time. I think he is right. No matter what way we take, the most important thing is to accept the blessing from God with devoutness.
ReplyDeleteNobody can force you to do things you are not comfortable with. I hope the experience has made you more open to what the world is like. Yes, education helps to provide people with the necessary knowledge so that any decision made is an informed choice and not due to coersion.
ReplyDelete