Without creating more misinterpretations, I just wish to say that my feelings and perceptions of the tone of the chat was one where a reader might conclude that the BN would not get solid block support from the Christians (unlike the solid support some communities give them time and again). Consequently, the government might not be too happy about this and is reacting accordingly, together with pressures from other religious groups.

I have many Catholic friends from my student days in a mission school and I also appreciate the religion better than many Malaysians.

I understand that Christians especially the Catholics do take strong interest in social issues, e.g poverty, immigration, human rights, social services etc etc. I understand they have societies like St Vincent de Paul who are active in social work. Indeed, many Christians find it difficult to seperate religion from their way of life in the society at large.

If my memory does not fail me, during Ops Lallang in 1988/9, many Catholics were detained as well under the ISA for their deep involvement in social work and raising concerns that the government perceive them to be a threat.

On the other hand I also understand that many Protestant Christians confine themselves to religious work and development alone and avoid getting deeply involved in society and consequently are happy to be left alone.

I am told by my Catholic friends that yes, many of their priests are quite outspoken frightening the more conservatives among their flock. But isn’t this being involved in the community something which has been part of their “culture” for the past 2000 years? To speak out and be involved in social and other societal issues is normal for them. It is a pity that some other Christian groups have continued to remain docile and don’t want to get involved. But I am glad that some are beginning to wake up as their rights and feelings have been trampled on in recent times.

I was attending a conference these past few days and there was a Christian Iban from Sarawak seated next to me. Inevitably politics came up in our conversation and I asked him about how the feeling is in Sarawak and why the people there solidly support the BN. He said that the people there are generally “satisfied and happy” and would vote solidly for the BN again, except for the Chinese. The logging cases and the encroachment of native lands are “isolated” cases he says. Hmmm. It would appear that the 40% Christians in Sarawak are substantially behind the BN.

As I queried before, I cannot understand this strong support especially when the Government doesn’t give the Christians a fair deal and proper respect (according to my perception).

Keep up the good work, Sassy MP. Blessings for you.

TK

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Good morning Teresa,

Just to let you know that I appreciated your “candid comments” in last Sunday’s STAR article entitled, THE CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE.

You may be assured of our prayerful support, and we shall encourage others to pray with and for you… (not forgetting ALL leaders of Malaysia — political or church leaders).

Let’s continue to pray for each other as we look forward to Jesus Christ’s SOON return.

TK

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Dear Teresa,

I have been instructed by Bishop Paul Tan, S.J., to congratulate and thank you for being a panel member of Café Latte Chat on the Christian Perspective which was featured in The Sunday Star, 20 January 2008.

Our prayers continue to be with you.

Thank you.

Regards and God bless,

Christine Lim

Bishop’s Private Secretary

PAS supporters that muslims and they are also anti BN-government.

If you look at the funding for religious purposes, Islam get the whole chunk of it and I have never heard of state funds (read taxes collected from muslims and non-muslims) being channelled to build temples, churchs and kuils. Even donations for religious purposes is not accepted as tax deductibles.

So if muslims praying in state funded places of worship is anti government, or at least disagree with them, what do you expect those not getting their tax money back?

When you tear down Indian mosques, it would be interesting to see the percentages of pro- and anti-government demography there…..

The ban of import of Indonesian language bible and Christian documents or the ban on certain to religious words like “Allah” to be used in churches will certainly angered the indigenous Christians in Sabah and Sarawak who have been voting for BN all these years.

The above conversation seems to suggest many Christians are anti-government. It also say that 40% of the population in Sabah and Sarawak are Christians. But how come the Christians there keep on voting the BN in every time? Are Christians there strongly pro-BN and if so, why BN keep treating them so badly?