Petition: A Call For The Most Revd Dr John Chew and All Faith Leaders to Protect Against the Degradation of Our Faith

May 1, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Opinion

[NOTE: The petition below is started by Ms Eileen Tan from a local church]

To:  Most Revd John Chew and Christian Faith Leaders

The Church’s stand on the issue of homosexuality is unequivocal and steadfast. While the Christian community should remain resolute in the defense of our beliefs, we must not let the actions of few degrade our faith through their manipulation of the flock.

By signing this petition, we stand together as brothers and sisters in Christ, to voice our concerns over the unbecoming usurpation of leadership in AWARE.

We have to ask ourselves – no matter the existence of good intentions – do we want to build our houses on rock, or sand? If we allow the New Guard of AWARE to conduct themselves through subterfuge and not openness, through force and not dialogue, where will we be left standing when the storm comes?

By signing this petition, we call for our leaders to provide the spiritual compass so that we do not veer down the path of self-destruction. We ask not for your stand on homosexuality, but on the conduct of a few running their own doctrine by using God’s authority in vain.

“This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me;
in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
– Matthew 15:8-9

The above petition can be signed here

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Comments

15 Comments on "Petition: A Call For The Most Revd Dr John Chew and All Faith Leaders to Protect Against the Degradation of Our Faith"

  1. Alwin Loi on Fri, 1st May 2009 1:02 am 

    omg. the plots and twists so far are so much more interesting to watch than any tv serial dramas

  2. Kaine on Fri, 1st May 2009 1:34 am 

    So, a religious hypocrite is, by definition, a non-believer, since he is only pretending to be an adherent of the faith. A hypocrite is not a person who commits some sins on occasion (sin all people commit sin occasionally), but someone who practices those sins on a routine basis. The truth of the matter is that hypocrisy has been a problem for those who claim to follow God for a very long time. In fact, God challenged Cain (the first son born of Adam and Eve) on his hypocrisy when he submitted an inferior offering to Him.2

    What did Jesus say about hypocrisy and hypocrites?
    By far, of all preachers and prophets of the Bible, Jesus had the most to say about hypocrisy and hypocrites. Since He didn’t mince any words on the subject, but directly confronted the religious hypocrites of His day (the scribes and Pharisees), they hated Him intensely – eventually having Him arrested on trumped up charges. Here is a list of some of the hypocrisy that Jesus spoke against:

    Giving to the poor to be recognized by others3
    Praying in public to be recognized as “God’s man”4
    Letting everybody know you are fasting to get recognition by others5
    Complaining about other’s behavior when yours is even worse.6
    Pretending to honor God through lip service only7
    Testing other people to try to make yourself look superior8
    Deceiving people from knowing God9
    Repressing the poor and widows10
    Teaching proselytes to be hypocrites11
    Tithing (giving to the church), but neglecting justice and mercy12
    Doing everything for show, while really being self-indulgent and unrighteous13
    Treating stock animals better than fellow human beings14
    Being able to analyze the weather, but unable to distinguish between right and wrong15

  3. sopissedoff on Fri, 1st May 2009 2:46 am 

    These are what I learnt:

    What new Aware claimed to fight for parents & the nation for the good of their children:
    1) educating that homosexuality is wrong and must be contained or even removed

    What their actions might teach children:
    1) It’s alright to be underhanded, sneaky, imposing, bossy, unkind, misleading and lying to achieve one’s goals.

    Parents, it’s your choice, what values do you want your children to possess?

    Talking about imposing, I’ve never really cared about this Aware Saga till I recently received in my office email address a message from some supporter of the new Aware strongly encouranging me to vote for them so that our children will not fall victims to homosexuality due to the educational system etc. I find the message highly subjective, biased and played on one’s fear. Strangly, the membership fees of $40 was highlighted twice in the email and contact no. of the supporter given. Could I call her if I’m unable or unwilling to foot the bill but keen to vote? Perhaps I should, to vote (against) them.

    Why isn’t MOE suing this group of people who are slandering the institute?

    Feminist Mentor, give me a break. Might as well be Feminist Majesty.

    Please do not use the name of religion (Christianity) to further one’s cause to commit unkindness against others through such abhorrent means. It’s making people really disgusted with the religion.

  4. Andrew Chan on Fri, 1st May 2009 4:43 am 

    Good to see people with real ethics standing up! :)

  5. Solo Bear on Fri, 1st May 2009 8:00 am 

    Sometimes I wonder if these “Christians” are just gays or pro-gays disguising themselves to boost the support of the gay agenda.

    At the heart of parents’ concern, is that our daughters are being used as pawns.

    MOE is now investigating the CSE programme. What more twists can we expect in the days to come?

    http://wherebearsroamfree.blogspot.com/2009/05/very-big-thank-you-to-all-parents-and.html

  6. ZY on Fri, 1st May 2009 10:00 am 

    Its plain skepticism to say that this petition might have been set up by gays and pro-gays. I don’t see such “wisdom” or “discretion” displayed when Thio Su Mien was making her accusations on CSE or Josie Lau claiming she received death threats. Is it also that hard to believe that Singaporean Christians (other than TSM and her “followers”)can be concerned and courageous enough to stand up and speak for themselves? I still believe that law-abiding, unassuming and peace-loving Christians are still the majority in our secular (despite the secularity wavering at times) state.

  7. Keadil on Fri, 1st May 2009 12:12 pm 

    Who this solo bear dumbo is trying to deceive? Everywhere i see him linking his nonsensical blog. Macam little boi crying for mommy’s attention.

  8. Agape Xue on Fri, 1st May 2009 3:04 pm 

    Inspite of public rebuke against the actions of Jose Lau and her terracotta armies in their underhanded siezure of Aware, we still see such blantant, such obnoxious petition started by Ms Eileen Tan from a local church to continue in their immoral act.

    Elaine Tan should not be taken lightly. She is another dangerous element who need to be seek out and interrogated.

    I am not surprised if she is one of the gang members of Jose Lau and her terracotta armies.

  9. Sniper on Fri, 1st May 2009 4:05 pm 

    Agape Xue, I think Eileen Tan’s petition is against the new exco actually. Its not a matter of homosexuality here…she is highlighting the deceit shown by the new exco in usurping the leadership of AWARE. Chill, mate…I’m as grave about the AWARE conflict as you are and stand in support of the old guard. That some Christian leaders are willing to stand forth and denounce the takeover is a good thing.

  10. Agape Xue on Fri, 1st May 2009 7:08 pm 

    Oops,,,, i owe Eileen Tan my apologies. The ways the pastors from COOS and their church gang members under TSM and Jose Lau have conducted themselves made me feel completely hysterical about Christianity and Fundamentalist Christians. I am half way on my way to becoming a Christian, but have spent my last 10 years seaching for the truth. I have asked for revelations to see the truth, but all of a sudden, what i have seen in recent weeks about the way these fundamentalist christians have forced their christian beliefs down the throats of other people really sent chill deep into my bones. I am utterly disappointed and felt i have been misled. A wolf wearing a Shepherd’s cloth, this is what i see. I pity the lambs as the lamps torching the way for them to walk lead to moral self destruction. All of a sudden, i lost all my comfort and closeness with all my christian friends, as i feel all of a sudden, a line is drawn by the christian faith, as pronounced by the pastor hong, to divide the christians from the rest. In his line lies only the kingdom, the Singapore that is his and his fundamentalist christians, who are all willingly subject to his manupulation and lies, subject to his command, they can only behave like terracotta armies, without mind of their own, no soul, no love , no compassion for people or animals on the other side of the line,
    For a moment, i have too lost my love, my soul, my compassion for a fellow Singaporean who i think is standing on the other side of the line.
    I apologise to you Elaine Tan for my misdemeaner and misunderstanding. I withdraw my statement which is uncalled for against you. I am sorry for having wronged you and your good intentions.

  11. real parent on Fri, 1st May 2009 8:36 pm 

    This petition is a ‘non-event’.
    It’s a pedantic write-up of some philosophical ideas.

    The real issue which parents and the vast majority of the public are very concerned about is how MOE allowed the old AWARE to promote homosexuality to our school students.

    Please don’t be surprised by the lack of interest in this petition.

  12. Sniper on Fri, 1st May 2009 10:07 pm 

    real parent: I think the reason this petition is a small one is because ’tis only been put up very recently and most people have already signed the other one which has been up for more than a week. Its not as widely publicised, and its targeted towards Christians, who only constitute about 15% of Singapore’s population last I checked.

    Agape Xue: If it helps, I’d tell ya I’m a Christian too madam, living in remote area of the world and that I’m sorry I can’t be by your side to see you through this. There are many other Christians who have spoken out against the takeover, so dont’cha feel you’re standin’ alone, ok?

    Now, I’m a Quaker, and I don’t preach cause I believe the Holy Spirit is already in each person. When chaos and isolation reigns in the church building, remember that God speaks too in a soft, quiet voice…and this is how I prefer to guide my actions in this so far. Less talk, more work. Tomorrow’s gonna be a big day, so get some sleep and prepare for some hard yakka at Suntec.

  13. Robox on Sat, 2nd May 2009 12:19 am 

    Solo Bear, get help for your mental illness; it’s called chronic paranoia.

  14. Kaine on Sat, 2nd May 2009 2:44 am 

    Churches should stay out of Aware tussle

    THE National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS) has said it does not condone churches getting involved in recent matters related to the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware)…..

    http://singaporeenquirer.sg/?p=3576

    It is hope this will punch sense against those Fundamentalists who are still thinking of supporting the Hitlers group…
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvLMdcs_XN0
    this is hilarious,,,,

  15. The Silent One on Sun, 3rd May 2009 4:32 am 

    We should petition John Chew to ex-communicate Derek Hong and expel COOS from the Anglican Communion for bring the religion into disrepute.