Perhaps one had listen too often of the recent debate of the constitutional rights to use "Allah" in the Christian publication, Herald in its Malay edition. Whatever they said, I find the Herald publications must have gone nuts and out of their mind to use the terms of other religions. If this is true, The Herald- The Catholic Weekly is downright ridiculous to do such a thing. Have they no brains or are they trying to trick the Muslims to join Christianity?
Yes, "Allah" refer to God, "Jesus" refer to God (more appropriately the Son of God), Buddha must be a God too (more of a teaching than a religion though). Even the Chinese "Tou San" (God of Gambling) also refers to God. Then which is God? Shall we say all of them are the same and just use them interchangeably? Shall we confuse their believers?
As most agnostics and certain sects may agreed that it MAY be the same, I beg to differ. Whether if the God is the same or different in perspective or whatsoever the possibility, these religious terms, "Allah", "Jesus" and so on reflects more of the religions' identities. Each and every one of us have a father, but do I use your father's name as my father's? There is no such insistence if one understands the true nature of language, to an extent that the editor must need reeducation to allow him to reconform to the norms of the society.
God has its term in Malay language, and "Tuhan" it shall be. Even Jesus has its Malay name, namely "Yesu" or perhaps "Isa" in Islam if that is what they are so concerned of. Then, why use the term "Allah"? So that the Indonesians can understand? Then don't do a Malay edition, make an Indonesian edition! Malay language and Indonesian language are somewhat different as well!
It's being stupid, as if saying we must use the term "Elvis" to explain God to Rock n' Roll fanatics! If this is allowed to happen, we might even see Muslim publications using Jesus in their English edition. With this commotion going on, I think sooner or later, it is going to be one big family after all. What crap!
On the bright side, this may ease the "Christians vs Muslims" tension around the globe after all. Since we're mankind, why not live and pray under one big roof. For me, I'll prefer my weekly edition in Chinese. At least the God could be referred as "Tou San" (God of Gambling).
*The author does not mean to take a stab at the respective religions mentioned, but to point out the issues of certain believers having issues with other religions. Plus, the author just believe that religion is good, but the believers may not necessarily be so.
Yes, "Allah" refer to God, "Jesus" refer to God (more appropriately the Son of God), Buddha must be a God too (more of a teaching than a religion though). Even the Chinese "Tou San" (God of Gambling) also refers to God. Then which is God? Shall we say all of them are the same and just use them interchangeably? Shall we confuse their believers?
As most agnostics and certain sects may agreed that it MAY be the same, I beg to differ. Whether if the God is the same or different in perspective or whatsoever the possibility, these religious terms, "Allah", "Jesus" and so on reflects more of the religions' identities. Each and every one of us have a father, but do I use your father's name as my father's? There is no such insistence if one understands the true nature of language, to an extent that the editor must need reeducation to allow him to reconform to the norms of the society.
God has its term in Malay language, and "Tuhan" it shall be. Even Jesus has its Malay name, namely "Yesu" or perhaps "Isa" in Islam if that is what they are so concerned of. Then, why use the term "Allah"? So that the Indonesians can understand? Then don't do a Malay edition, make an Indonesian edition! Malay language and Indonesian language are somewhat different as well!
It's being stupid, as if saying we must use the term "Elvis" to explain God to Rock n' Roll fanatics! If this is allowed to happen, we might even see Muslim publications using Jesus in their English edition. With this commotion going on, I think sooner or later, it is going to be one big family after all. What crap!
On the bright side, this may ease the "Christians vs Muslims" tension around the globe after all. Since we're mankind, why not live and pray under one big roof. For me, I'll prefer my weekly edition in Chinese. At least the God could be referred as "Tou San" (God of Gambling).
*The author does not mean to take a stab at the respective religions mentioned, but to point out the issues of certain believers having issues with other religions. Plus, the author just believe that religion is good, but the believers may not necessarily be so.
too lazy to read. perhaps will read later. just wanna say - interesting title. kinda controversial isnt it?
I think abit strange leh..
That The Herald was/is/wants to use "Allah" when the "proper" term is Tuhan, to me, is kinda sneaky. Then permission was granted so long the masthead specified "for Christians only", showing narrow-mindedness by the relevant authorities because if you give permission to one religion you giver permission to all others ... so then the permission is going to be withdrawn... what a circus!!
*lynne*
2 jean:
Controversional as always.. :P
2 Harmony:
Yes, strange indeed that I', speechless.
2 lynne:
Perhaps "Allah" was the proper term in Arab or what? Cos it was claimed that Middle east churches use Allah to refer to God. Anyway, the proper term in Malay is Tuhan, and there is actully the term for God. I don't think it shoud be given by the authority, and I do agree that if 1 is allowed to use, the rest would follow.
Not that it matters anyway since there's not really commotion about it within Muslims or Christians and it does not serve any purpose in doing so.