Tag: LGBT

  • The Idolisation of Tolérance & Its abuse

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    By Muhd Noor Muhd Deros.

    Recently our esteemed brother, Prof Syed Muhd Khairudin Aljunied, courageously wrote a couple of short postings that state the truth about homosexuality. It caught the attention of some LGBT students from the NUS whom later wrote a petition against him.

    This short writing of mine seeks to address one of the central argument that they and their likes have never failed to summon while trying to defend homosexuality, it is none other than the idea of Tolérance, or its new form; Recognition, as used in the petition.

    1. We have seen the idolisation of the word Tolérance and the destructions it brought during the French Revolution where it was given the status of a dogma and endowed with the sanctity of a religion together with its share of fanaticism and blind herds. During that time, those who were intolerant of their brand of tolerance were sent to the guillotine. It was and never is a neutral word nor does it bear any positive connotation in itself. Of course it can be and was already used as a tool for oppression.

    “It is preferable that we use the term (Tolérance) in its French orthography, since it was consciously conceived as one of the power instruments of the emerging atheist state following the French Revolution. It is a significantly irrational doctrine, while it poses as being the opposite. If examined, it is clear that it is a power instrument aimed at one group to subvert them to the value structure of the opposing group. In other words, it has a uni-directional dynamic. We mean by that, a doctrine of tolerance orders the accused group, “Tolerate us!” It contains in it no possibility of a reverse process by which the group demanding tolerance offer tolerance to the accused group.” – Shaykh Abdal Qadir As-Sufi.

    Hence, the act of tolerating or ‘recognising’ something in itself is not necessarily good. The main issue lies in the object of your tolerance. What are you tolerating?

    2. The dangerous appeal and the control power of the word Tolerance lies in its deep and subconscious attachment to the basic need of the human self, and that is the need to be accepted, which – like tolerance – is not necessarily good in itself. But whenever the word is summoned today, you can almost see its spell breaking through any defense mechanism of the mind and leaving it defunct.

    syed Khairudin

    We need to break its spell by being aware of its neutrality.

    3. We must know that it is perfectly fine to be intolerant of certain things and ideas. The health of the society is in danger when it becomes tolerant of everything as the body breaks down when it loses its ability to be intolerant to sickness. Even those who idolised tolerance or ‘recognition’ never failed to be intolerant towards those whom they perceive as a threat to their idol.

    But when I say that I can’t tolerate the idea of homosexuality it does not mean I can’t have a coffee with a homosexual while calling him to heterosexuality. We just need to grow up and leave either-ors to kids.

    4. As a person who believes in a Higher power who is conscious of Himself and all of His creations, free from any physicality and humanness, and that He sent prophets to guide human beings to spiritual happiness till the end of time, I would like to reiterate that The Islam of the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w – not the Islamic “Islam” – views homosexual inclination as a sickness that must be treated.  It is no different from incestual inclination, and that act of homosexuality itself is one of the most abhorrent sins.

    Some general suggestions from a Muslim’s perspective:

    • Re-inculcate the belief in The higher power that is Most Merciful and Compassionate yet Majestic in the same time. And that we are the created not The Creator, we are here not by ourselves nor are we a product of a random activity of an unconscious cosmic soup.
    • Punish child molesters severely.
    • Make marriage easy to those who are ready.
    • Women must be allowed to be women and men to be men. Homosexuality will emerge in a society whenever the economy forces the majority of the women to take up the responsibilities of men.
    • Protect the institution of marriage with the Divine law.

    5. Homosexuality is a cancer to the society, yes it surely is. This is an objective and unemotional statement. Unlike the term ‘hate speech’ used in the petition, it seeks to convey the scale of threat and destruction brought about by the homosexual lifestyle. Whereas the term ‘hate speech’ is a direct accusation to a person. If we are serious for a healthy debate we should avoid such jerky misconstructions.

    6. What we want is a healthy and a harmonious society, a society that is free from the stench of moral relativism and is built upon the firm belief that truth is not subjected to time & context, instead it is the other way round. Therefore we should stop demanding people to be tolerant of immoralities such as homosexuality.

    God knows best.

    Benjamin Seet
    khairulanwar
    Khairulanwar Zaini
    melissa tsang
    Melissa Tsang

    Source: Muhd Noor Muhd Deros

    Read the ENTIRE chronology of saga here:

  • PERGAS’ RESPONSE TO HPB’S FAQ ON SEXUALITY

     

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    MEDIA STATEMENT

    11 February 2014

    PERGAS’ RESPONSE TO HPB’S FAQ ON SEXUALITY

    This response is to record Pergas’ disappointment to the Health Promotion Board’s (HPB) recent FAQ on sexuality.

    2 Pergas finds that the FAQ is insensitive towards the prevailing view of the Singaporean society. This is as reflected in the recent Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) survey which reported that 78.2% of Singaporeans views are generally conservative towards same-sex relation. As a national health board, Pergas is of the view that HPB should not have presented its FAQ in a manner that can be construed by some as tacit support in normalising same-sex relations.

    3 Pergas views that the message should be directed at the importance of a traditional family unit rather than implicitly showing support towards same-sex behaviour.

    4 Pergas would also like to note that the FAQ is in contrast to the state’s pro-family policy. The pro-homosexuality stance reflected in the FAQ undermines the traditional family unit which is essential in building our society.

    5 Pergas would like to assert that the family unit is a fundamental institution of human society. According to the higher objectives of Islamic Law, the family unit serves to bring in new generation and preserve the existence of humankind. For that reason, Islam gives attention in establishing a family only through the legal marriage of a man and woman. Any form of extra-marital or same-sex relations are hence prohibited in Islam.

    6 Notwithstanding the above, Pergas would also like to emphasize that in no way the ‘Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender’ or LGBT should be ostracised by the society. In line with the teachings of Islam which promote love and mercy, we must avoid rejecting them as individuals and should treat them with love and compassion.

    7 Pergas also advise Muslim to convey the true message of Islam and guide our Muslims LGBT to the right path. Meanwhile, Pergas also encourages those Muslims who are facing sexuality issues, such as tendency towards homosexuality/bisexuality to seek proper religious guidance and psychological guidance from asatizah (religious teachers) and counselors who have knowledge on Islamic perspective in this matter.

    8 Finally, Pergas wishes to state its readiness to be consulted on potentially sensitive issues such as this matter in the future. This is to ensure that the interests of all groups are represented in the consideration of government agencies such as HPB.

    SINGAPORE ISLAMIC SCHOLARS & RELIGIOUS TEACHERS ASSOCIATION (PERGAS)

  • Aku seorang Muslim tapi Aku GAY – Ciptaan ALLAH

    I’m not proud of being gay. Because I don’t think it makes sense to be proud of being gay.

    You can only be proud of the things you put work in. If you have to work for it. If you have to work at it. I didn’t do anything to be gay. No work involved. I was born gay. So, it’s not something to be proud of. But not being proud of it does not mean I am ashamed of it. I’m neither proud nor ashamed of being gay. I just am.

    The same thing with being Malay. I was born Malay. No work involved. So no sense in being proud to be Malay. But not being proud of it does not mean I am ashamed of it. I’m neither proud nor ashamed of being Malay. I just am.

    With being Muslim, however, it’s a different thing. Because I have to put work in to ‘stay Muslim’. Examples of this ‘work’, or should I say effort: I pray, and I fast during Ramadan, and I read the holy Qur’an to dedicate the holy Yaasiin verses to my late parents. I (try to remember to always) treat people with respect and kindness, whatever their religion or race. Things like that. That’s effort put in. So yes, I can be proud of being a Muslim, because it’s something I work at.

    ________________________________________________________________

    Okay, now what about ‘pride’ being connected to ‘embracing’ who I am. Do I ‘embrace’ the fact that I’m gay? The word ‘embrace’ in this context; I guess it means: do I celebrate and rejoice in being gay?

    Do I run down a hill screaming ‘I’m gay!! I’m gay!!’ to the sounds of ‘the hiiiillssss… are aliiiive…. with the sound of muusssiiiiiiccc….’ No. Do I join gay parades overseas? No. Am I a member of gay associations? No. Do I make it a point to attend gay events? No. Although I’m open to those things anytime in the future, why not. (Except the running down a hill screaming part). When I can make the time. When I want to. If the desire and interest develops into being, why not. But I don’t consider those things necessary. It would be nice, but not necessary.

    I don’t ‘celebrate’ my being gay. I’m not sure…? But if I inspect this ‘not sure’ further, I’ll come back to ‘I don’t’. So let’s keep it simple and honest: I do not celebrate and rejoice in being gay. But does this mean I am ashamed of being gay? Nope. Because if I am, I would have done something to try and change things. I would have dated women. Convince myself I can ‘turn straight’. Maybe go on to marry one of the women. Convince myself sex with her is okay. Persuade myself to make love to her, say, once a fortnight (would monthly or quarterly still be considered reasonable?). Have kids with her. Generally, live life as a straight man, regardless of whether I lead a double life behind my wife and kids by sleeping with men on the side. But, still calling it life as a straight man.

    Different people live differently. Make different choices.

    If I’m ashamed of being gay, I would probably be living a lie. But I’m not. I’m spending my life with the man I love. God willing, I will be fortunate enough to have him by my side the rest of my life.  Even if this means people, strangers or otherwise, may sometimes look at me just a little bit differently. A subtle shake of the head, dramatically slow and sad. Or a knowing glint in their eyes. A slight smile. In disapproval? In approval, even? ahhh… who cares.

    I am what God made me. I am male, Muslim, gay, Malay, Singaporean.  Lol.

    May God give me the strength to continue to always be honest with myself. Amin!

    Abdul Halim

    I am a Singaporean Malay guy, aged 41 years old.

    Abdul Halim

    Source: http://bit.ly/1jbFJDa