Comments posted by angry netizens on Facebook of Lighthouse Evangelism Senior Pastor Rony Tan were all deleted
February 9th, 2010 | 
Author: Written by Our Correspondent
Despite his public apology, angry netizens still flock to give a piece of their mind on the Facebook of Lighthouse Evangelism Senior Pastor Rony Tan:
Pastor Tan sparked a massive outcry in cyberspace lately with his insensitive remarks about Buddhism made during a church session which was video-recorded and uploaded initially on his own personal website.
He was subsequently called up by the Internal Security Department (ISD) for questioning which led to him apologizing for the remarks on his website.
It appears that not many netizens are willing to forgive him and move on judging from their immediate response:
The comments have since been deleted by the Facebook’s administrator Matthew Ho, a self proclaimed fan of Rony Tan:
In the latest post, Matthew Ho wrote:
“WARNING: No negative comment on any religion even the Christian or I will remove you from this group. This group is to encourage people to believe in Jesus as the savior and it’s also the fan of Pastor Rony Tan, so no negative comment.”
In a brief statement released to the media yesterday, the Ministry of Home Affairs said that “Pastor Tan’s comments were highly inappropriate and unacceptable as they trivialised and insulted the beliefs of Buddhists and Taoists.”
The Singapore Buddhist Federation said Senior Pastor Rony Tan’s act of apologising was the right thing to do, but it will still approach the authorities and have its voice heard in order to prevent similar incidents in future.
There were no immediate comments from Archbishop John Chew, the President of the National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS), a body bringing together the major Christian denominations and churches in Singapore.
You can leave a comment on Pastor Rony Tan’s Facebook here
Related articles:
1. VIDEO: Pastor Rony Tan’s comments on Buddhism
2. Hardwarezone forumers up in arms over Pastor Rony Tan’s remarks
3. Pastor Rony Tan issues public apology on his remarks about Buddhism
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he’s let off so lightly, coz he’s christian? then wat about the 3 youth? they did not get any chance to “apologise”?
simple. becoz he is a pastor and the other 3 kids are well just kids. come on face the reality. do you really think the ISD or even the police will have the “time” to prosecute this pastor? Who knows there might be a police officer or two whom is his follower. get real.
This is cool! Does Eric Cartman has a facebook too? I want to protest against him constantly insulting my religion, my political views and everything.
Can someone show me the link to his facebook?
I hope from now on he will have to look over his shoulders every day just to make sure no fanatic from other religions decided to punish him. Look at the Danish cartoonist who insult the muslims by drawing the Prophet Mohammed with a bomb, his government provides him with 24 hours security then the Indian novelist who wrote The Satanic Verses still carry a prize for his head! All these supposely learned people showed no respect for other peoples’ religions are nothing but idiots!
If the same remarks were made by a Muslim cleric, what would his fate by now?
Uniquely Singapore: The land of hypocrisies!
Hi all,
pls don’t jump to conclusion..the ISD and police will handle him..We just need to keep ourselves cool and do not agrivate the situation. What good does we have by criticising him? He has also apologised..just live in peace..
i respect Temasek Review as a political /current affair website but [please dont lower it down to religion bashings and involve it with personal problems]
please refrain from religion issues as it does not concern politics
Just a note to Temasek Review.
Pastor Rony was not ‘called up … for questioning’, which kinda a face to face meeting.
He was called over the phone.
Could the authority BAR him. He is not suitable to be a religious leader in our country! He needs to be re-educated.
Former PAP MP Choo Wee Khiang and PSC Overseas Merit (Teaching) scholar, Chua Cheng Zhan, were also let off after their apologies were accepted for their racial remarks. ISD did not arrest them under ISA and they were not subjected to the Sedition Act.
Just an apology of what he has done is grossly insufficient.
Other than the proposed safeguard by the Singapore Buddhist Federation:
“The Singapore Buddhist Federation said Senior Pastor Rony Tan’s act of apologising was the right thing to do, but it will still approach the authorities and have its voice heard in order to prevent similar incidents in future.”
I would hope to see the following:
1) The Christian Community to publicly state their comments & position on this incident.
2) Denounce & ban Rony Tan of his role as a Pastor or any leadership role in any religion community.
3) Send him for Religion Harmony/Tolerance education. Teach him how to RESPECT other religions & their differences. (In fact, anybody who is a danger to Singapore Religion Harmony/Tolerance should be send for such education/re-education)
4) Continue to monitor him. Charge & send him to jail if necessary to send a strong signal that that is not legitimate, and anyone who breaches will have to face serious legal consequences.
I thought TR wanted to let the matter passed? Why bring up the issue again by a fouth thread? Really TR shouldn’t we move on to other issues? Three articles on this and still not enough, another new thread?
Come on. I am beginning to think that the complainant who posted the video to TR is not an outsider or member of the public, but actually a staff of TR?
Does TR have an agenda here I wonder. I would advise them to be careful because the ISD may be monitoring the slant of its reporting. Why provide fodder for the PAP using ISD to close down this site for stirring up the religious grounds. I can’t believe TR is so stupid as to continue this hot topic, which, should by now, be tempered since a public apology has been given following ISD interjection. Hope that TR does not have any other intentions.
The contents of the 3 previous threads have been noted by netizens here and their responses duly made. The pastor has made a public apology and the matter now in the hands of the ISD. Why not close the issue and move on?
Hi All,
Please note Rony Tan’s church is not a member of National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS).
His church is known as Charismatic, which advocates speaking in tongues (ie.Angelic language), healings and exercising various gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Another church with fervent followers would be City Harvest led by the singer Sun’s husband.
Some mainstream Christians do not feel comfortable with both churches.
Many seditions made against Christianity were let off without questioning, e.g. Da Vinci Code.
Double standard?
An apology is not enough, he should be dealt with by the LAW and ISA.
Those who advocate punishing Pastor Rony Tan after he had apologised should look at themselves in the mirror. Let us not try to play the hero and act as if we are so righteous. Are we all angels or Gods? The authority has spoken and Pastor Rony Tan has apologised verbally and in writing. Who are we to insist that he should be “flocked?” Some people should channel their energies to other more worthy causes instead of acting like gangsters!
Da Vinci Code is a work of fiction. A fantasy.
Can you tell the difference ?
Apparently not, if you believe in burning bushes and talking snakes and zombies rising from the dead.
Hypocrisy.
See the bottom where it says
“Open: All content is public.”
ELITES DONT ARREST ELITES whatever the offence.
@YOU’RE FIRED
Nice try at changing the subject.
Apology can run away from law, ISA ?
@■Overeaction on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 5:33 pm
The 3 poly boys should be allowed to apologise and all charges dropped, as it’s similar in nature.
Rodney Sim Hang Nge , an elder at the Lighthouse Evangelism church paid for SEX with underage girl.
LIGHTHOUSE EVANGELISM CHURCH ELDER PAID FOR SEX WITH TEEN
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/STIStory_406420.html
what about this?
Someone asked on the other thread on this same subject, why is it that the husband and wife team who send standard christian tracts avaialble in bookshops, to muslims, put to jail for 8 weeks whilst the pastor is let off? To my knowledge the couple was also like apologetic and remorseful in fact pleading that they didnt know it was illegal since the publication was widely available in the public domain in singapore. Is it because jailing a defenseless no-name couple is easier than jailing a pastor with 12,000 congregation and strong social standing? I am not looking at it from religious point of view, but from legal point of view. I feel sad for the couple because they have no social standing so they are easily made scapegoats within the same legal framework.
Actually in my opinion, neither case deserves to be jailed. An apology is perfectly acceptable because the public shame is already a punishment itself.
zero
If there is no comments from the Christian community, does this mean that Christian community accept and approve with such conduct?
Harsher punishment should be meted out to prevent such incident from recurring & send a strong signal to all religions that not just an apology is acceptable. More guidelines must be put in place too. I hope not to see a real religion disaster/social unrest to occur in Singapore before stronger signal & deterrence are put in place.
If there is no comments from the Christian community, does this mean that Christian community accept and approve with such conduct?
Harsher punishment should be meted out to prevent such incident from recurring & send a strong signal to all religions that not just an apology is acceptable. More guidelines must be put in place too. I hope not to see a real religion disaster/social unrest to occur in Singapore before stronger signal & deterrence are put in place. By then, a “This is a honest mistake, let’s move on” answer will be too late.
An eye for an eye only ends up in making the whole world blind – Mahatma Gandhi
Anger, bitterness, resentment and revenge never gets anyone anywhere. We forget that we have all been created by the same Divine Maker, no matter what religion we belong to.
My understanding is that Pastors Rony Tan & Pastor Derek Hong are being Protected By VERY High Profile People.
Beside Pastor Rony Tan & Pastor Derek Hong are untouchable.
似乎有人替他们撑腰
I wonder whether All Pastors in singapore are also untouchable christian leaders ？
It looks like any church leaders making remarks and using unscrupulous means to seize NGO ( AWARE Incident ) are easily let off with insincere letter of apologize !
To Overreaction
We are just not your god to whom you could just ask for forgiveness for mistakes made every week or every day,and over.We are asking for fairness and justice .3 kids have been treated “properly” by the authority. Why is he been treated fairer than others?
@Overeaction on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 5:33 pm
We are not Angels or Gods but we are either Buddhism or Taoists.
If all christians leaders behaving like idiots and creating nuisance to the public and being let off easily will only bear more attempt by them to try their luck again and again.
Bringing Rony Tan to justice is necessary.
SOMETIMES THE TRUTH CAN HURT…and Pastor Rony is JUST SPEAKING THE TRUTH. Kudos to Pastor Rony. Our Lord Jesus Christ will always be with you.
I can only say one thing. Who does not make mistakes ? Let’s not be the judge or government here. The government has acted and he has apologised. Who are you to judge ? By judging you are also making the same mistake so you are no different. Don’t stroke racial fires here like other countries. It is very dangerous. Other religious figures have also made mistakes but was not judged by netizens so pls stop your judging. That must be the way. Let the authorities decide what is best.
Jesus urge his followers to spread the gospel but his followers have been spreading lies. Buddha teaches people to be mercyful and do good and they think he’s a demon. They must be mad.
He need to face up with consequences of his action.
Too many time these so called christians has taken the law for granted!
Rony should be arrested and charged with sedition.
The 3 youths did not even get a chance to apologize. They get charged by ISD straight away.
Charge Rony with sedition or face double standard in enforcing the law.
bc
You’re fired !
#Annie Lim
The Indian chappy you’re talking, about was born a Muslim, though he has claimed that he was never really reilgious. His name is Salman Rushdie & if he get’s shot, it’s probably coz the book ‘The Satanic Verses is damn bloody boring.
Insulting Buddhism??? rony tan you are a chinese and don’t forget your ancestors!!! STOP TELLING PEOPLE GOD CREATED HUMAN. i was created by my parent!!!
#Fiona Tan
You are the one who is too afraid of the truth.
You rather believe that the world was created in 6 days and that God created the first human, a man, from dust and the life force proceeding from God’s mouth.
That women are so brainless, useless, and ineffective that she needed to be created by the rib of a Man. Apparently, in early Christianity, women were not attributed to have Souls.
Are you afraid that if you start using your brain and analysing your religion, the questions will make your mind implode?
THIS RONY CHAP SHOULD BE IN ISD LOCK-UP FOR LIFE FOR MISLEADING HIS FLOCK, WHO BLINDLY BELIEVES HIM AND HIS INSULTS AGAINST OTHER RELIGIONS. HE WILL GO HELL LIKE OTHERS, SO WHAT’S SO GREAT ABOUT HIM? JUST ANOTHER NORMAL HUMAN WHO ACTS GOD. WONDERING THAT BIBLE VERSION HE READ, MAYBE THE LATEST VERSION THAT SAYS OKAY TO INSULT OTHER RELIGION. I WANNA COPY AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH
Hello hello Fiona Tan,
What have you know about Buddhism and Taoism before you could judge what rony said is “THE TRUTH”? THE TRUTH IS YOU ARE LIKE “A FROG LIVING IN A WELL” BUT TRYING TO TELL PEOPLE HOW BIG IS THIS WORLD. Are you well verse in Taoism and Buddhism scriptures?? IF NOT, KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT! ONLY EMPTY VESSEL MADE THE MOST NOISE!
He’s saved – because of his faith in the God of NO Mercy
If what Pastor Rony tells the TRUTH why apologize then.
Does this make him look like a FOOL?.
fiona tan, blind faith leads to nowhere.
How can you compare this with the 3 kids? I believe the kids KNEW what they said are wrong. They tried to hide behind some anonymous personas, leading to police investigations. The pastor wasn’t trying to hide. Yes, the pastor is wrong, he’s deluded, and the things he said are wrong. But I don’t think you can equate the two cases together just like that. Its overly cimplistic. I do agree that the pastor got off lightly, but I also think putting the two cases together is not helping the argument for harsher action.
All of us are under the laws, how come he is above the laws?
Besides, he is aware the existence of the laws and he challenged it and he proved it he is above the law? NO JUSTICE!!!
Being a Christian myself, I would get really offended knowing that someone from my religion has lambasted anothers’ in the name of our God. Having known a churchgoer of TR church, I was appalled when my fellow friend would often condemn and criticise Taoist teachings. I personally do not believe in Taoist teachings but in a multi-ethnic and religious society such as Singapore, one should tread lightly and be fully aware that one’s word can incite objurgations from other parties. In light of this, TR’s wisdom(or lack thereof) should have subconsciously reminded him that such malicious teachings should have stopped at his mouth.
Haiz, another incident of pot calling the kettle black..
@zeronut
How can you compare this with the 3 kids ? The Pastor didn’t know what he was doing, on the pulpit, in front of the congregation. The Pastor is a Pastor, supposedly a spiritual LEADER whom thousands look up to for direction.
The pastor wasn’t trying to hide. He was only trying to get the videos off youtube. It’s like if someone commits a crime, just hide the evidence. Oh, and if the evidence is found, apologize.
I don’t think you can equate the two.
/s
#Fiona Tan,
“Pastor Rony is just speaking the truth”…
I beg you pardon..?
Could you plse ask him to speak the “truth” again? I dare him..
To “BUSTOR” TAN
Can I slap your face and then apologize to you! Will you accept it!
Kelvin Tan, thing is, Eric Cartman isn’t Singaporean. So please do protest over at the US Embassy if you must.
i wonder by appologising has the pastor sent a signal that he preached wrong things to his followers? what is his salary? why followers follow this type of personality?
no offence to the followers but i feel sorry for you. i mean your church image may be adversely affected.
We must open our eyes and ears and keep an open mind.
in Buddhism, our teacher (he never claim he is God, for Christsake) , Buddha himself, asked his followers to test the teaching rather than accept his word as true…meaning- U shld not just listen & believe without using your brain lah.
So fellowers of TR, pls use your brain & tink about TR teachings twice, when its abt critising & putting down on other religious.
“Do not do unto others as you would expect they should do unto you”…ok, which bible this is from ..LOL
I finally got to view the two video clips and had read some of the comments posted. I fully agree with some of the netizens that a warning is never good enough. The fact that he is a senior pastor and the title carries responsibility and duty. He is abusing his authority so what is the difference between him and T.T. Durai and Ren Ci, though the two latter cases were abused of authority through mismanage of public fund. I would say Paster Tan’s issue is more serious gthan mismanaging of public fund since words can kill and his comments can easily create conflict between religions. I happen to stumble across another of his video clip in utube which was put up in March 2009. He interviewed one of his church member, Roy Tan and his introduction was “Brother Roy came from a broken family, a taoist family”, does he need to emphasized the word “taoist”. If he is already having an intention to trivialize another religion a year ago (these are only cases that we are aware of, I am sure there are more), what makes the authority so sure that a warning would stop him from doing the same again? Further, these video clips had been uploaded on utube and it has now become assessable globally, can he be just forgiven with a simple warning? I may not be as highly educated as Pastor Tan, but I had been constantly reminding my children to respect other religion, other races and other culture and traditions. While he, as a Senior Pastor can put up such remarks! I can only say God Bless You. I really hope that ISD and the relevant authorities can seriously look into this matter and justified action should be applied.
Fiona Tan on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 6:45 pm
YES, you are right! SOMETIMES THE TRUTH CAN HURT and the truth does hurt your dear Pastor Rony. Sorry even JESUS can’t save him.
To show that Pastor Rony Tan is truely sorry, perhaps he should attend some of the buddhist/taoist classes to get a better understanding of other religions teachings and also to learn about religious tolerance……
Buddhism teaches that the law of cause and effect is strict, that it governs the speech too. Pastor Tan is just reaping the effects of what bad causes he planted from the incident. One of the main reason for letting Pastor Tan off is, i believe, for the social security of Singapore. Imagine punishing a Christian leader with strong following will surely bring about a lot of dissatisfaction and consistent protest and possible religious wars from the Christian community later..from what you see here… “Fiona Tan” as the classic example of fanatic religious devoter who are intolerant of other religion.
Compare the 2 cases …. the 3 naive teenages act and the calculated statement of the so called Pastor Tan , who should bare a heavier punishment . WEIGHT FOR YOURSELF
just forget about it.. why all the hatred and cursing?
there are better things to do in life.
I think everyone should cool down. Singapore has learnt a lesson.
the lesson is never assume everyone accept the national concept
of racial and religious tolerance and there must be continuous vigilance. Ronny Tan and his likes are not going to change. I do believe his apologies are fear of public retribution or authority induced but we have to accept this and move on. What is discouraging and more ominous to me is despite his actions the Christian community did not come out at once to challenge his action. His not belonging to the main stream christian organisation is lame excuse. Everyone has a duty to intervene when he sees a danger to society and he has the knowledge or position to help avert such danger. It would have benefited the Singapore society at large and the christian community in particular if a christian had initiated to take Ronny Tan to task for his antics. It is not his challenging of the concept of reincarnation and meditation that is wrong. Everyone including christians have a right to challenge this in a proper context just as non christians can challenge the beliefs of resurrection of christ etc but it is his deliberate manner to denigrate other religions using irreverent methods resulting in social tensions that is at stake. It is ok if he wants to expose his ignorance of other people’s religion but to deliberately denigrate in a crass manner can invoke violent reaction.
the so call monk is lay person and not a real Monk . The fact he does not even know buddhist scriptures is revealed in the video clips. Ronny Tan is a religious leader and he probably was aware of this and used him to stage his show. I did not see
the clip on the nun so has no comment.
BTW, go to Rony Tan’s Youtube and you will see a video he dedicated to Mr & Mrs LKY.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2O67SyJiyzY
Well, I wonder how did he become a pastor? I thought a theological course also comprises of lessons on other religion etc..however here he is claiming ignorant of Buddhism? In fact when going into his church webpage, facebook, Youtube or what, he certainly give an impression of someone who edifies himself more than God.
Fiona Tan,
Rony Tan spoke the truth??
If this is true, why his apology?
Still not convinced? try repeating his comments in public lah.
Overeaction on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 5:33 pm
Those who advocate punishing Pastor Rony Tan after he had apologised should look at themselves in the mirror. Let us not try to play the hero and act as if we are so righteous. Are we all angels or Gods? The authority has spoken and Pastor Rony Tan has apologised verbally and in writing. Who are we to insist that he should be “flocked?” Some people should channel their energies to other more worthy causes instead of acting like gangsters!
Ok, how about
1. Why no jobs for sg?
2. Why hdb price so high?
3. Why gic loss so much?
4. Why homeless people in sg?
etc etc etc etc
the three youths are charged with SEDITION lah.
our dear pastor, he where got SEDITION???
please, get your definitions right.
It is so easy to apologise after the damage is done and hope that everyone forgets and put the incident behind…
The truth is if you are not well informed about other religions, then you should not have spoken about others at all. If even youngsters can understand how to respect other religions, I am surprised or even appalled to know that a person of the age Pastor Rony Tan did not know the basic of respecting other religions. Please be mindful that words are damaging and think before you speak in future.
Dumb move!
More will post after those that were deleted!
He is a religious leader and people trust in him to show the way. He is not some bo liao teenagers with too much time on their hands. Has he not had the sensibility on what’s appropriate to say? Did he think he can get away with anything he says?
Can we trust these religious leaders to show basic respect for other religions or do we need to monitor them?
Can ISD explain how come he only got a chat with ISD officers whereas 3 teenagers got charged for sedition?
clown
To #Fiona Tan,
please think this over…
I won’t take my religion from any man who never works except with his mouth. Carl Sandburg (1878 – 1967)
When I do good, I feel good; when I do bad, I feel bad, and that is my religion. Abraham Lincoln (1809 – 1865)
Men show their characters in nothing more clearly than in what they think laughable. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Nothing is worse than active ignorance. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
We are never deceived; we deceive ourselves. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Nothing shows a man’s character more than what he laughs at.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 – 1832)
If God had wanted me otherwise, He would have created me otherwise. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 – 1832)
I do not know everything; still many things I understand.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 – 1832)
You will always find [hatred] strongest and most violent where there is the lowest degree of culture.Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (1749 – 1832)
Good day to you and wish you all the best ahead.
Perhaps you should try goethe, anyway once folks who believe they absolutely right in everything and make themselves become the majority on this planet, time to git out of of dodge…i’ll be getting back onboard my FTL ship to find a real better place with real live and let live folks.
This episode is not the first time such comments were made at the service. It is like a time bomb which has now exploded. Moral of the story is SIMPLE :
1. Respect each other FAITH and BELIEF.
2. The episode could have been avoided IF the other PASTORS had the GUTS to warn Pastor Rony before he spoke at the service.
3. Everyone at LIGHTHOUSE better DO a LOT of SOUL SEARCHING otherwise NO ONE will come to know GOD’s LOVE !!
4. All form of testimonies should only be for Encouragment and Reconciliation and NOT to embarrass people of other faith.
5. ACT NOW and ACT FAST !!
Everybody just loves a scandal. Be it over the lady whose bikini got stripped and all at sentosa, mingyi fashi, etc or maybe some other victim in the next hoo-hah.. everyone needs to judge accuse and scoff. It kinda creates a sick sense of righteousness by putting us on the pedestal, look down and judge others, using harsh words to renounce and denounce someone. As if we are that good. Amazing, instead of doing something to help other, we rather, talk. and talk rot.
Sigh..another idiot
#
love on Tue, 9th Feb 2010 5:52 pm
An eye for an eye only makes the person u wanna get revenge against go blind only
i am a buddhist, but i pray to jesus oso when i am in a paris church, i do not enbrace christianity but i respect christ, like the saying goes, “I like your Christ but I do not like your christians because your christians are unlike your Christ”. whenever i visit a place of worship, i respect their sacred place and the religion. this is very important. Rony is very narrow minded with such remarks. he can’t last for long if he continue to think this way.