LEAKED: Supporters of old exco continue to lobby MOE to review Aware’s CSE
May 6th, 2009 | 
Author: From The Informant Network Team:
It appears that supporters of the old exco still hasn’t quite given up their hidden agenda to hijack a secular NGO with the aim of propagating their religious beliefs and values in mainstream society even after their representatives were booted out rather unceremoniously from the leadership of Aware.
A few emails have been circulating around, allegedly written by supporters of the old exco, urging Singaporeans to sign the online petition to MOE to review the CSE.
MOE should step forward to clarify its stance on the CSE once and for all. If there is nothing wrong with the CSE, it should not be afraid to state categorically so.
Our national institution must never be held hostage by a small number of trouble-makers bent on spreading its influence beyond the confines of its demarcated boundaries.
The OB marker has been crossed not once, but several times over the last few weeks. Faith-based groups should offer their feedback to MOE through proper channels instead of resorting to persistent lobbying in order to exert pressure on it to act.
The silent majority of Singaporeans do not condone the actions of these militants. MOE should consult Singaporeans from all races and religions on the CSE instead of being held swayed by a vocal minority.
The email below was also published on http://www.ovidiayu.wordpress.com
Dear friends,
I attended the EGM yesterday and would like to share my own impressions versus what was reported in the media today. I was there because of my concern with regard to certain teachings of homosexuality that has insidiously crept into our school system by way of the CSE (Comprehensive Sexual Education) Program. I am glad I went because it convinced me that we cannot leave it to others to watch over our beliefs and values. We need to be personally engaged. It enabled me to witness that the pro-lesbian/pro-gay lobby is indeed vocal, articulate, united and well-organized. If we are not watchful, acceptance of homosexuality will be the norm. It is already at our door step.
The CSE (initiated by the previous old guard committee) was brought to light by a group of Christian women who were elected as new exco members headed by Josie Lau. Contents of the CSE syllabus include:
- homosexuality is “perfectly normal.. people are born like this… its simply the way you are”
- anal sex – “can be healthy or neutral if practiced with consent and with a condom”
- pre-marital sex – “is really neutral”
Unfortunately, the press made Josie & her team to be a group of power-grabbing women who were out to grab control of AWARE to promote their own religious agenda. It was this perception that was the main focus that led to feelings of anger & hostility at the EGM, even by fellow Christians who sided with the old guard. Sadly, it was the old guard and media that painted their agenda as religious rather than concern about wrong values being promoted to our children.
Do not believe everything you read in the newspapers or forums.
The following were very evident at the EGM:
1) I got to witness first hand, the unity of the homosexuals/gays in attendance, the hooliganism bordering on lawlessness that prevailed throughout the EGM even as these people very forcefully and in a very unruly manner, sought to tear down the new exco at every turn, giving them no chance to speak or even talk about their plans. There was no respect for order but instead, chaos prevailed.
2) The new exco was booed, harassed, prevented from speaking, drowned out and blocked at every turn….simply because the other side was more boisterous, vocal, articulate, at times even physical (grabbing microphones, etc) and certainly well organized and orchestrated. Many in the audience were simply intimidated by the actions of the old guard’s supporters. Old guard’s supporters dominated the microphone, at times, forcibly snatching from others who wanted to speak. It was indeed shocking!
Yet, Josie Lau and the exco reflected calm & grace, though one of them did “lose” it initially, which the media highlighted while failing to mention the antics of the old guard’s supporters. It was really shameful and saddening. The old guard talked of being a civil society but the meeting was anything but civil. They asked for respect but showed none at all. Josie and her team should be commended for the way they conducted themselves throughout, with dignity and decorum.
3) The EGM was effectively hijacked by the old guard and supporters and I am personally glad that Josie and her team have decided to step down. They have served their purpose and they really paid a high personal price; they and their families. The focus should now be on the latest exco. I am thankful, at least, that Josie and her team have brought the homosexual agenda of the old guard to the surface and it is now up to each of us to continue the watch, if we really care.
Though I could not stay till the very end, it was very obvious to me that the Josie and her team consisted of women who were willing to rise up and be counted and, as a result, persecuted for their convictions as stated in Ephesians 5:8-11 :
” ….but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light…and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them”
The homosexual slant in the CSE program has been exposed and we parents hope the MOE will re-examine the content of the program with a fine toothcomb. If you are concerned that such programs have been brought into our schools, and taught to our children, you can join in a petition to the MOE at
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/parents_sex_ed_appeal/
At the same time, precious lessons have been learnt by us especially those who were present at the EGM. We need to rise up to our responsibilities and calling if we are to be effective Marketplace Ministers. It is not one of confrontation but one of blessing and redemption; yet at the same time not surrendering the grounds that God has given to us.
God bless
Posted in Opinion
31 Responses to “LEAKED: Supporters of old exco continue to lobby MOE to review Aware’s CSE”
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Sounds like them alright. In truth, these messages need not even have been ‘leaked’…they’ve been posting all over message boards and blogs…the feeble protests of a defeated, irrational gang of religious wankers still holding out that they can convince everyone that their way is the only way.
to the email’s author:
“the unity of the homosexuals/gays in attendance, the hooliganism bordering on lawlessness that prevailed throughout the EGM even as these people very forcefully and in a very unruly manner, sought to tear down the new exco at every turn”
may we ask if you intend to include all the muslims attendants as homosexuals/gays as well? be careful on what you state if you do not want to provoke other religion believers
“The new exco was booed, harassed, prevented from speaking, drowned out and blocked at every turn….simply because the other side was more boisterous, vocal, articulate, at times even physical (grabbing microphones, etc) and certainly well organized and orchestrated”
talking about orchestra, may we ask how is the COOS’s orchestra team nowadays doing? are they still practising how to orchestrate another takeover, may be to other organizations?
“The EGM was effectively hijacked by the old guard and supporters”
may we correct the statement from word “hijack” to “take back”. it’s the pussycats gangsters that hijacked the AGM. only then the old guard take back rightfully what they had been hijacked through EGM
such insecurity amongst the liberals that your liberal agendas and gay fundamentalism will be exposed…tsk! the lobbying will not come from just a “vocal minority” so you better hide your face when the Conservative voice of singapore will make its stand. oh yes, trouble will come for the REAL trouble-makers…
MOE is sleeping, are you telling me the have no idea what is the content in these outside groups before you allow them to present it to the schools?
hello…be logical la
the majority of singaporeans are conservative – i mean just look at your ah kong and ah mah!
you think the liberal aware people really reflect the real singapore meh?
atheists and buddhists and muslims and christians are all concerned about this la
Wayang Party – you risk alienating your general audience if you go on like this…unless you only want to appeal to liberal pro-gay people
deluded liberals: ‘Gay fundamentalism’ and ‘liberal agenda’…now that’s a funny piece of crock. I ain’t seen any of them poofters or hippies out to swallow a secular group of right-minded ladies. So get your NAR-asitic, dominionist nutjobs out of AWARE mate, and we’ll call it a day.
WP,
Why WP still fanning this issue? I will support the now old Aware to push MOE to review the AWARE CSE because of morality issue.
WP please reveal your stand on homosexuality, for or against????
Waz wrong with this lobbying?
Parents have the right to ask questions when their kids are taught that homosexuality and anal sex is normal.
AWARE says manual is approved by MoE. So why can’t parents lobby MoE?
I think this article is a good piece of propaganda writing worthy of front page in the Strait Times. A balanced piece of journalistic article… not so much.
Seriously the “hidden agenda to hijack a secular organization…” I don’t think it is a hidden agenda, they are very proudly standing there and proclaiming to the world that they think they are right and will not sit idly as things continue to go “wrong” ( in their opinion). Well thats their agenda, nothing hidden about that. sounds a little bit of fear mongering there..
Secondly,
“Faith-based groups should offer their feedback to MOE through proper channels instead of resorting to persistent lobbying in order to exert pressure on it to act.”
Thats pretty rich coming from a site constantly criticising the govt for various misgivings and saying that people needs to wake up and exert pressure on the govt. Now somebody has taken on its offer but apparantly it is not good enough. sounds like some causes are really more equal than others (pardon my paraphrasing)
Lastly,
to use the word militant to describe the people who are lobbying MOE for actions.. again what have they done to deserve that? did they ask for bombs to be planted? or at the very least riots to paralyze the CBD perhaps like wat they did in Bangkok? well even then i was hardpressed to find the ST use the word militant on those protesters.
I think let them lobby as much as they waant.
If the other side can get about enough people and energy, let them lobby as well. If not, bad luck!
Telling one side to shut down and go away is not the best answer in my most humble opinion.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with lobbying for MOE to review the Aware CSE, but it is the strong wording used to incite distrust and hatred against a minor group in the letter that is divisive in nature.
When religious fundamentalists start the ball rolling, they can’t stop it until they are decisively crushed by the authority or they achieve their objective. It is also a matter of their own survival after their previous plot has been exposed.
It is interesting to see the stark difference in the approach adopted by our government on similar divisive activities in the past. One possibility is our weak-hearted government dare not take a firm stand on religious extremism at the moment for fear of alienating a powerful group of their own supporters in these uncertain times. Another possibility is these activities provide a timely smokescreen for the recent issues that have exposed the inept leaders in the government. Sadly, due to their indecision, Singaporeans can expect more of such blatant display of incitement to come from the clandestine and dangerous interest groups.
No need lesson from school, I know that anus is for defecating and its known as an “Exit” but some people wanted to use it as an “Entrance” and proclaim its normal and natural.
BTW AWARE is fighting for woman’s right, why it because pro gay? Lesbians does not practice anal sex right?
Premarital sex also an issue with parents.
>A Tan on Wed, 6th May 2009 11:59 am
>Waz wrong with this lobbying?
>Parents have the right to ask questions when their kids are taught that homosexuality and anal sex is normal.
>AWARE says manual is approved by MoE. So why can’t parents lobby MoE?
>
It is obvious to all that, in spite the closing of a chapter in the whole sage, the genuine underlying concern of many parents, future parents, etc in Singapore, will still be much alive.
To me, it is the design and apparent slant of the programme’s presentation that is faulty. Great care and more thorough thought must be given to this obviously sensitive item to at all cost avoid creating sore feelings within our society.
In particular, the greatest of care must be put into statements that will mould our absorbent young minds to act out in their own life the suggestions, both subtle and explicit, presented.
For example, general statements that sodomy or anus sex with condoms “is normal”, should be avoided at all cost and replaced with
“is normal behaviour for a few people born that way, so we should try our very best to understand them and accept as they are”.
The former statement makes the message different for the simple reason that it is as though it meant such acts are normal for all to practise.
Thus, it is extremely important that messages are crafted correctly, especially in the context of education.
Go ahead and lobbying MOE.
Just please stop inciting hatred and divide.
The propaganda is getting irrating. I have thought only communist is good at brain watching!
“militant” seems to be wrong word at this point of time. I always support WP but this word is too extreme.
Was the “performance” of Thio Li-An seen here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpnEsmusV3Y
Ruly? or really “civilised” hooliganish behaviour?
The threat to society is the hatred that this group of self-righteous people are propagating!
Why don’t they evangelise in the red-light districts where there are more “sinners” who are wrecking families!
bystander: do you really believe these people lobbying MOE for the sake of their childrens’ education are “religious fundamentalists”?
can’t they just be concerned parents, who may or may not believe in any type of god(s)?
can’t some of the over 6,500 people who have signed the petition be normal, hard-working, decent parents who want their children to be brought up the right way?
so bystander is it your opinion that this group of religious fundamendalist as you call them are inciting hatred against homosexuals? and therefore the government should go about squashing them as they went about say squashing the commuinists back then?
i can’t seem to find any trace in that email which would incite hatred against homosexuals. in fact the email has choosen not to quote the bible on homosexuality, believe me the bible has pretty choice words on what to do with homosexuals.
the email stated their stance and repeated that
“It is not one of confrontation but one of blessing and redemption;”
They might be proud and confident in their religion but inciting hatred and distrust against others… i can’t fiind any of that here.
I am against premarital sex but still I don’t see what the fuss is about CSE? I will convey my view points and reasons to my children, and the schools can give an alternative viewpoint, relevant in this day and age. Ultimately, my children are the ones who are going to decide what they want to do with their lives, and they have to be responsible for their actions. Isn’t this what raising a child to be a thinking and responsible adult is about?
I would think that the CSE is only a problem for parents who have been raising their children like mindless drones who will accept any information as long as it is published on paper or taught by authoritative figures. For such parents, you should consider homeschooling, banning the internet, banning libraries, banning movies, any sources which can “contaminate” your child. You may also want to consider padding your children room so that they won’t hurt themselves.
Those people need a life.
Hijacked? By the old guard? Nice words. And in all honesty (IMHO, really) I think Josie Lau and co had it coming. I’m not surprised they were booed and not given a chance. Think of it this way, if they didn’t even bother giving the old guard (then) a chance, why should people have given them a chance?
@ Nicholas
Please properly read what i wrote earlier. I have only said the writer of the letter is inciting distrust and hatred against a minor group, and I already stated in my opening that the parents have all the rights to question MOE on the CSE program, didn’t I? Your overreaction to my comments is worrying because you jump into conclusion even before properly analysing what i meant to tell the readers here – Beware of the hidden motive of the writer.
@ fong
I don’t quite understand how you can conveniently left out all the sentences in red, unless of course you are colour blind or blind by hatred. To help you see things more clearly, I have taken a few examples below on what I will consider as inciting distrust and hatred.
1. … teachings of homosexuality has insidiously crept into our school system. (inciting distrust against Aware, MOE, schools and teachers)
2. …the pro-lesbian/pro-gay lobby is indeed vocal, articulate, united and well-organized. If we are not watchful, acceptance of homosexuality will be the norm. It is already at our door step. (inciting distrust against homosexuals/gays and the people who are neutral on them)
3. …the unity of the homosexuals/gays in attendance, the hooliganism bordering on lawlessness that prevailed throughout the EGM even as these people very forcefully and in a very unruly manner, sought to tear down the new exco at every turn… There was no respect for order but instead, chaos prevailed. (inciting hatred against homosexuals/gays by insinuating that they are hooligans and lawless people who are out to create chaos)
Those who attended the EGM would have heard the clarification from a CSE trainer. What was put online is the manual for CSE trainers. It is NOT given out to any of the students, it is NOT read out word for word to the students. It is a guideline for the trainers to adapt to different target audiences – this CSE programme is not only conducted in co-ed schools, but in single sex schools, & welfare homes run by MCYS & various religious organisations too. Thus, depending on the audience, certain sections of the manual are included or omitted during the actual training sesssion, & students are told that their individual religious/moral values also matter when it comes to interpretation of what is (not) acceptable. The manual was not written solely by AWARE, but by a whole group of consultants, including representatives from places such as Muslim girls’ welfare homes.
In fact, making the manual available online is a breach of confidentiality & copyright, & simply irresponsible – the contents of the manual should not fall into the hands of minors, nor people who have not gone through the proper instruction on how to conduct such training & use such info in a proper way.
> general statements that sodomy or anus sex with condoms “is > normal”, should be avoided at all cost and replaced
I believe that CSE trainers will make such a statement only in certain situations e.g. dealing with a homosexual audience, when the whole idea is not to condemn them (you’re gonna lose your audience that way), but to keep the channel of communication open so that messages on responsibility & how to protect oneself & others from STD/HIV can get through. Ultimately, people die from HIV, not from homosexuality. & I don’t think any CSE trainer in his/her right mind would make such a statement when conducting CSE training say in a boys’ home run by an Islamic welfare organisation.
The EGM wasn’t about this issue to begin with. It’s about the invasion of secular common space by a certain group wanting to impose their own religious agenda on others, & that certain group conveniently dragged this CSE thing in & blew it up as a smokescreen when people questioned them for their true motive for taking over AWARE. AWARE is gay-neutral, not pro-gay. All those ‘concerned parents’ at the EGM, I think they should have been at:
1. the library, educating themselves (there has been a lot of misinformation selectively quoted out of context)
2. the schools that they have ‘outsourced’ the parenting of their kids to, discussing with principals & teachers
3. MOE, asking all those questions they have about why MOE approved CSE
There are some ‘concerned parents’ whom I feel should try to educate themselves more about their religion too e.g. quite a few of the Chinese Buddhists seem to confuse cultural norms/practices/superstitions with the actual teachings of the Buddha (which views homosexuality & heterosexuality on the same terms, & at higher levels of enlightenment, there is ‘no gender’ e.g. why the Goddess of Mercy Kuan Yin can be depicted as male or female).
P.S. am not a CSE trainer nor AWARE staff/volunteer. Just a biologist amazed by how scientific facts have been twisted by certain people trying to twist other people’s minds, & the lack of critical thinking of those who allows their minds to be twisted so easily…
To Vote of Opposition (11:51am):
“WP please reveal your stand on homosexuality, for or against????”
Hmm why must it only be “for” or “against”? Why can’t it be “neutral”?
To Vote of Opposition (12:48pm):
“I know that anus is for defecating and its known as an “Exit” but some people wanted to use it as an “Entrance” and proclaim its normal and natural.”
What is your definition of normal and natural? Do you know that in natural wildlife, up to 1500 animal species practise homosexual sex? You can easily google it up and read about it.
Mouths are meant for eating only so I guess you have an issue with oral sex too? But do you realize how prevalent it is?
Like it or not, premarital sex and oral sex are becoming a lot more common nowadays. And this trend is happening regardless of what is being taught in schools.
Research has indicated that programs advocating abstinence ONLY are not very effective. It is far more effective to teach knowledge on safe sexual behaviors, and let teenagers decide for themselves whether they wish to engage in sexual activity. This is because school programs are taught to a big group of students, and cannot risk alienating any student and making them “switch off”
If parents are concerned about their kids’ sexual behavior, it is the parents’ OWN responsibility to teach the appropriate values and knowledge from young. If done well, the parents have no need to worry about the influence of social environments or school education.
To Outsider (12:54pm):
“For example, general statements that sodomy or anus sex with condoms ‘is normal’, should be avoided at all cost and replaced with ‘is normal behaviour for a few people born that way, so we should try our very best to understand them and accept as they are’.”
I do agree with you that the CSE can be tweaked and the suggestion you have given is actually rather good.
It is important to teach our kids not to discriminate against homosexuals or think that homosexuality is immoral.
However my concern now is, the group of people lobbying against the CSE now is actually a very heterogeneous group. Some are more moderate and tolerant like you, but a significant portion are extremist.
By putting your voice together with theirs, are you at risk of having your voice drowned out in the end?
Aware sex guide suspended – http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_373200.html
@ sniper: i told you so. Justice is sweet.
what’s wrong with “gay fundamentalist” or “gay extremist”? you guys call christians militant too what! hard to swallow eh?
When Josie’s Lau team took over, WP complained that there were underhanded and if they want to change the way things are, they should set up another organisation to bring to light what’s happenning, and they started to do some lobbying also kena complained by WP, I seriously do not know what’s WP’s own personal agenda in this matter.
To IM
Now you know why their congregations are called “flocks (of sheep)” and with good reason…sigh
As a result of the coordinated hijack of AWARE by religious extremists, people clearly want to keep a look out for further potential hijacks and encroachment into the secular space. It’s useful to know how such groups may operate a pyramid system of “cells”, as in America. During this whole saga I came across the concept of “cell churches”, which I hadn’t heard of before, when looking at the COOS website. I had to look this up, I had only come across the concept of “cells” in relation to terrorists. I was surprised to find that it is now a way of organizing religious groups in a sort of pyramid, controlled from above. People in different cells don’t necessarily know each other personally, but can be equally mobilized by someone above them in the pyramid. In America they appear to be related to mega churches, and the hijack of moderate churches by extremist groups.
It looks like cells, or “cell churches” are operating in Singapore. They may be perfectly innocuous, but the potential for mobilization in matters such as the AWARE saga is clearly there.
Here is how COOS refers to cells:
“The best way to get connected to church life is to join a cell group! Generally, a cell group consists of 7 to 15 people who meet regularly to “do life” together. A cell group can be a place where meaningful relationships are cultivated through ministering to God and each other, and being ministered to.”
Here’s a link to an article on how they operate in practice in America,
“Divide and Conquer: Cell Churches and Hijacks”:
H t tp://www.talk2action.org/story/2006/5/10/112924/148
Here’s an intro:
“What a cell church is isn’t entirely obvious to most people who aren’t members of churches which contain them. Essentially, a cell church is designed as a “church within a church”–the setup of churches where the concept originated is much like a pyramid, with pastor, then deacons, then “cell leaders” who are heads of groups of anywhere from five to fifteen members of the congregation (and occasionally more than that, in sub-churches). The closest analogue is actually not in church structures but in multilevel marketing schemes such as AmWay (and this is not by coincidence, as I’ll note).
“In this post, I will focus on the history of cell churches in dominionist movements, with specific emphasis on how the use of cell churches was largely designed to hijack mainstream congregations…in at least one case, with frightening success, which has disturbing implications for mainstream churches having issues largely resulting from this.”
It also includes extracts from an article by the Rick Ross Institute, which exposes cults.
It’s not just the secular that need to stay vigilant to these extremist groups, if this article is correct. Regular churches may be at risk too.
P.S. to my above post, there’s a detailed article expose of the hijacking system relating it to COOS and Focus on the Family which is a must read, at the following address:
h ttp://dogemperor.newsvine.com/_news/2009/04/24/2729992-a-steeplejacking-of-a-womens-ngo-in-singapore-a-rare-glimpse-at-how-joels-army-groups-work-in-practice
to bystander:
Please don’t resort to names calling.
(by the way, i am indeed colour-blind but i can see the bold of the email)
it is unbecoming of a genuine discussion and debate.
After reading the email multiple times i am finally able to see what you are writing about in the sense of incitmenet.
My conclusion is that you really need to be going out there looking for it before you can find it.
You will be able to find any imflamatory if you are deliberately looking for it.
Someone walks up to you and say
“Hey how you doing? have you eaten?”
if you choose to look at it,as hey is discrimination!! are you saying i am fat or am i a gluton?? that the first thing you ask about is if i have eaten!!!!
If you go out there looking for a fight, chances are you gonna find it.
and also it does appear that your stance is pretty firm i think it might be better if we agree to disagree.
People seem to be missing an important point here. For the parents who have looked at the manual, many come to the conclusion that it is spreading the message that pre-marital sex, anal sex and homosexuality are not wrong.
Now the question is: Had there been an intent by AWARE to sneak these in, knowing full well that the parents would disapprove?
If AWARE is so convinced that what they had been teaching is correct, perhaps they can publish the manual openly, and sit down with the parents in a discussion.
John Lee on Fri, 8th May 2009 8:28 am
These questions have already been answered fully by AWARE if you care to read more widely.