Tag: Singapore

Amos Yee: Christians Against Pink Dot Don’t Know What They Believe In

So in lieu of the upcoming event that is Pink Dot, fundamentalist Christian cunts have gone onto Facebook and tried to hope for the worst possible things to happen on that day, huge rainstorms, Jesus to open their eyes to their horrid sexual orientation, pray the gay away, as they say, the assonance is remarkable.

So let’s imagine, that we are in some kind of alternate reality, and all the bullshit in the Christian bible is for real.

And if that’s the case, then yes, we should condemn all the fucking gays and lesbian demons from ever having existed, those unnatural homosexual spawns of satan:

‘If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. -Leviticus 20:13

However, later on in the bible, God also tells us to:

Not wear clothes of mixed fabric:

‘Thou shalt not wear a garment of divers sorts, as of woollen and linen together.’ -Deuteronomy 22:11

To hate our families:

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. -Luke 14:26

And in all circumstances, not to save money:

‘Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal’
– Matthew 6:19

So which verses do I follow? Oh my gosh I’m so confused. I mean the priest obviously takes and saves a lot of money, that church seems really fucking big.

As an Athiest,I have the luxury of not having to deal with all this shit, but for Christians, you guys must be stressed as fuck, which words of God do you follow? You guys aren’t following the words of god aren’t you, you’re just following whatever the hell you guys want and saying that it’s the word of God.

Ah hah, I got you there Christians, you can’t fucking hide from me.

Source: Amos Yee

May 25, 2015
Diana Abdul Rahim: Not A Case Of Secular Fundamentalism

I refer to Mr Walid Jumblatt’s letter, “Don’t let secular fundamentalism be the norm” (May 15), which was a reply to Mr Hairol Salim’s letter, “Efforts of Pink Dot ambassadors should be lauded, not condemned” (May 13).

Secular fundamentalism connotes scorn of religion and its adherents, and is usually accompanied by attempts to exclude and limit religious expressions in public. The burqa ban in France is an example.

Secular fundamentalism seeks to trivialise the persecution faced by adherents of a certain religion who are confronted by structural disempowerment. This is, however, not the case in this debate.

Mr Hairol’s point about “religious-driven emotions” was addressed to a particular group of “activists and individuals from certain religious communities”. It was not a sweeping statement against the legitimacy of religious voices.

Indeed, he stated that “views of all faiths and belief systems should be given fair consideration”, which echoes Mr Walid’s sentiments.

It is illogical to construe this willingness to provide fair consideration for all perspectives, religious or otherwise, as an expression of secular fundamentalism.

If we are serious about being inclusive, then Mr Hairol’s appraisal of those who voice the concerns of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) community should hold no controversy.

Claims of respecting the democracy of dialogue have no legitimacy if we are unwilling to allow the people we disagree with the space to speak on their own terms.

To me, there is much common ground between both writers. For dialogue to work in a reasonable, respectful and empathetic manner, however, interlocutors should be charitable and avoid misrepresenting the positions of their counterpart.

*Article written by Diana Abdul Rahim was published in Voices, Today, on 22 May 2015

Source: www.todayonline.com

May 24, 2015
Here’s How You Can Help Our Fellow Muslim Rohingyas – Through Pergas

Assalamu’alaikum Wr Wbt,
Brothers and Sisters,

Referring to the plight of the Muslim Rohingya community, insyaAllah Pergas will be conducting Hajat Prayers this Sunday 9am at Masjid Alkaff Kampung Melayu. All are welcome to join us.

Donations can also be made via bank transfer or cheque to :
Pergas (OCBC Current: 629-704537-001)
Please indicate “ROHINGYA”.

Cut off date for bank transfer:
05 June 2015

Kindly email Ustaz Izzam at [email protected] with your transaction reference number (found on the receipt), bank account number and amount of donation for our verification.
All proceeds will go directly to BAPA.

Thank you for your kind contributions. May Allah be with the victims, lift their affliction and adversity, reward them for their patience and perseverance. Ameen.

Source: Singapore Islamic Scholars & Religious Teachers Association – Pergas

May 24, 2015
Singapore To Offer US$200,00 For Countries Providing Help To Rohingya

The Singapore Government will offer an initial contribution of US$200,000 through ASEAN to support the efforts of countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia that have been aiding Rohingya refugees, said Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmugam on Saturday (May 23).

Singapore is concerned about the situation and welcomed efforts by countries, in particular Malaysia and Indonesia, which agreed to provide temporary shelter for the Rohingyas, said Mr Shanmugam.

He said the financial aid is part of an ASEAN-led initiative, adding that Singapore is prepared to consider further assistance, if there are specific requests.

Mr Shanmugam said the Rohingya crisis has raised two key issues – one is how to help those currently on boats and stranded at sea, while the other is the need to deal with the problem at its source.

This would require looking at living conditions created by countries of origin as well as the criminal organisations putting them on boats, subjecting them to terrible conditions. That, he added, is a “more serious problem” because tens and thousands of refugees could potentially suffer.

Mr Shanmugam stressed that the countries where the refugees originated from should take responsibility, and both ASEAN and the international community needs to address this issue.

Singapore’s contribution comes days after the Government said it is unable to accept any refugees or those seeking political asylum because it is a small country with limited land.

Over the past week, countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia have provided shelter to Rohingya refugees who have landed on their shores. Food and medical aid were also provided.

Up to 2,000 migrants are thought to be stranded in the Bay of Bengal, many at risk of falling victim to people smugglers. Most are Muslim Rohingyas from the western Rakhine state in Myanmar.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said finding and saving the lives of those migrants should be a “top priority”.

Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

May 24, 2015
Government Looking At Legislation To Protect Name And Image Rights Of The Late Lee Kuan Yew

The Government is looking at introducing legislation to protect the name and image of the Republic’s founding Prime Minister, the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew, against commercial exploitation and misuse.

Culture, Community and Youth Minister Lawrence Wong revealed this while speaking to the media at the sidelines of the National Community Engagement Programme Dialogue on Saturday (May 23).

Mr Wong said the move comes as many members of the public have raised concerns over the misuse of Mr Lee’s name.

Mr Wong said: “I should make it very clear that the intent is not to restrict people from coming up with their own creative ways to pay their tribute to Mr Lee. Our intent is in line with public concerns.”

Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s death on March 23 triggered an outpouring of grief in Singapore. Some also came up with creative ways to pay tribute. However, it seems not all were well-received by the public.

Mr Wong said: “The first example that you can easily see was what happened with the company that tried to do the buns, right? So again at that time there was a lot of public reaction about how this was distasteful and it was commercially exploitative and it was probably bad and not the right thing to do.

“There have been concerns of people, also of potentially printing T-shirts, selling them with his name and images, and figurines that can be sold for profits or commercial gain.”

So the Culture, Community and Youth Ministry is looking at safeguards, even though there are already some similar laws in place.

The minister said there are already existing laws to regulate the use and display of national symbols, such as the Singapore flag and anthem. This comes under the Singapore Arms and Flag and National Anthem Act, which states how Singaporeans can use the symbols to identify with the nation.

The Act also seeks to ensure that national symbols are treated with dignity and respect. Mr Wong said one possibility is to expand the Act to include names, and his ministry is studying provisions in other countries.

Mr Wong said: “There are similar provisions in their Act which go beyond crest, and anthem and flag. Some of the other countries, like Australia and New Zealand, cover names as well, specific names which they think ought to be accorded the status of a national symbol and ought to be protected particularly against commercial exploitation.

“And so we are looking at these different examples. We have not decided whether we should have a separate law or whether we should expand the current SAFNA but we are looking at the possibilities now.

“In the other countries that we have seen, the provisions are there and then they would gazette the names in a separate gazette so that they can add on if and when the need arises, so they have a list of names which they protect but the provisions are the same, so we can do similarly.”

Mr Wong said the legislation will not restrict the public from coming up with creative expressions of tribute to Mr Lee.

He said: “There is a very clear distinction between somebody who does it for charitable reasons – somebody who does it to pay tribute without making a profit out of it – and an individual or company that’s doing this specifically for profit, for commercial gains. I think there is clear distinction and I think it is not difficult to distinguish between the two.”

Mr Wong said it is not a total ban, but a restriction where approval is required. “So there can be variations of it. We are still studying it, so there can be ways where you could put safeguards,” he added.

Mr Wong said the aim is to ensure Mr Lee’s name and image are used in appropriate ways.

Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

May 24, 2015