Singapore’s Brit Hume? Not quite — this time, there was at least an apology. (With video)
Rony Tan, founder of Singapore’s Lighthouse Evangelism Church, is in hot water for his recent “jokes” about Buddhism — among then, the suggestion that one might follow Buddhism thanks to demonic forces. The country’s Ministry of Home Affairs has stated that “Pastor Tan’s comments were highly inappropriate and unacceptable as they trivialized and insulted the beliefs of Buddhists and Taoists. “They can also give rise to tension and conflict between the Buddhist/Taoist and Christian communities.”
Tan, for his part, has now stated on the Church’s website that he recognizes that his comments were “wrong” and offensive.” A smart move, if only because such defamation is considered a punishable offense in Singapore. (Frankly, it the move seems as calculated as Tan’s onstage conversations seem scripted.) But the fact remains: an apology was called for, and, in this case, delivered.
So what did “Pastor Tony” say? Here’s are three videos with Tan’s divisive comments on Buddhism and “false religions” in general.
Have comments of your own? Please share them. Perhaps we can help those who might be given to believing what Tan is saying that, in fact, there’s nothing demonic about those who practice in a way so different from his.
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February 9th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
[...] Our friend and Shambhala Sun Space editor Rod Meade Sperry has the story over at The Worst Horse. [...]
February 15th, 2010 at 7:39 am
I’m in Singapore and this has been an oft-discussed topic here of late. In this really multi-religious society, there are many holding this as another example of the us-versus-them, black-and-white mentality of some Christian churches in Singapore, especially those of the megachurch/American evangelical variety. Many stories circulate, and many Taoists and Buddhists (myself included) have firsthand experience of being treated as fair game for conversion/denigration by really passionate members of these churches. (I’m visited by evangelicals nearly every week.) It seems the only people that evangelicals are not trying to convert are the Muslims. (I’ve worked as a history/cultural tour guide and have also heard of Christian teachers leading classes of students into local Hindu temples and telling them the Hindus “worship demons”. It is really unfortunate.) Sadly such stories seldom make the news, and the local news editors seem reluctant to point out that such aggressive and (possibly intentionally) ignorant tactics seem to be unique to one faith. At least the unusual “ratting out” of Pastor Tan was helped by the fact the evidence was online for many to see, and easily reported to the authorities!
Shravasti Dammika at Dhamma Musings talks a little about the behavior of evangelical churches in Singapore with regards to inter-faith events. It is revealing.
February 18th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
There are a couple issues here which are extremely troubling.
a) Ignorance by practitioners/leaders of religious groups of the practices and beliefs of other religious groups.
b) Willfully seeking to harm the reputation/integrity of religious groups with misinformation or outright lies to the end of … well, who knows, increasing their own roles? Fear mongering is a favorite tactic of many Christian Evangelicals, non-demoninational churches, baptists, etc. (these were the churches in which I was raised, so I have first-hand experience)
c) The specific targeting of Buddhists and Buddhist beliefs, most likely because Buddhists, unlike the other mainstream world religions, will not fight fire with fire. This is to be expected. What we can do, however, is fight fire with water; we can spread the word, spread love, spread compassion and understanding.
d) While I appreciate the apology, apologies given in fear of prosecution are not real apologies. I do not believe in the suppression of freedom of speech for any reason, including religious defamation. This pastor is entitled to believe what he likes, and indeed to speak about it. His shame is apparent, and people with reason will see through his comments as transparent, vapid, and useless. No one should be put in jail for their beliefs no matter how vulgar and untrue they may be. Otherwise, any ideas are subject to prosecution, and anyone may be next.