Rev Lim: Excluding carols with Jesus' name is scandalous Claudia Theophilus Dec 11, 04 11:48am The government has imposed an unofficial ban on all Christian religious symbols and hymns that specifically mention Jesus Christ at a national-level Christmas do slated for Dec 25 in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, said several church leaders. Christians believe that Jesus is the son of God while Islam teaches believers that he is a prophet. Kuala Lumpur-based Catholic Research Centre director Rev Father OC Lim has lodged a formal complaint with the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM), the government’s liaison partner in organising the open house event that is expected to draw a crowd of between 30,000 and 40,000. In a strongly-worded letter to CFM dated Nov 24, he stated his objections to the organisers’ “explicit and deliberate exclusion and prohibition” to include any Christmas carols bearing the name of Jesus Christ. “To exclude (such) carols and to use (Christmas) for political gain is outrageous, scandalous and sacrilegious,” he said when met today. Lim was more upset that church leaders had “condoned and sanctioned” the organisers’ decision despite the Holy Scripture proclaiming Jesus’s name as being “above all other names”. Downgrading Jesus “We Christians have often moaned and groaned at the commercialisation of Christmas, and rightly so. But when Christmas is now used for political reason(s), it is an abomination,” read his letter, a copy of which was made available to malaysiakini. “To call it a cultural event (as rationalised by Christian politicians who are more politician than Christian) is to downgrade Jesus to a cultural sage such as Confucius.” Lim, who is St Francis Xavier's assistant parish priest in Petaling Jaya, also chided church leaders for urging Christians “to do their part in offering a warm and vibrant reception and participation” despite the exclusion of certain carols. “There should be a call instead to protest, like writing letters to the media, against such an exclusion,” added the vocal clergyman. He said the presence of the King and his wife, the Sultan of Selangor, the prime minister and other cabinet ministers “can never take the place of the absent birthday Boy (Jesus) in what purports to be His birthday celebration”. “That Christian singers are allowed to sing and perform at the event but not to sing carols bearing His name should be met with disdain rather than congratulating oneself for having achieved a compromise. “The same applies to permission given for processions by churches with candles, banners and Christian carols before the celebration proper,” he said, telling Christians the time has come to “stand up for the name of Jesus”. Copies were sent to Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur Rt Rev Murphy Pakiam, Selangor state assemblyperson Dr Lim Thuang Seng and St Francis Xavier's parish priest Rev Father Simon Yong. Officials of the Culture, Arts and Heritage ministry could not be reached for comment. Respect sensitivities When contacted, CFM general secretary Rev Dr Hermen Shastri insisted that the sensitivities of a certain religious community should be respected, especially in a government-sponsored public event. Describing the upcoming Christmas celebration as more of a made-for-TV event, he said the government wanted “nothing that insults Islam” during the open house. He recalled last year’s national-level Christmas open house celebration in Sabah which had also evoked similar responses from church leaders. “The heads of churches also complained about not being allowed to sing hymns (mentioning Jesus) but they went ahead until the King arrived. That is when the show actually begins,” he explained. “In a country like ours, religious freedom is good but at the same time, does it mean an over-assertion of one’s own religion in the public space and to others? A good example would be our reaction to PAS on the Islamic state or related issues.” Confining his comments to government-sponsored open house celebrations, Hermen said some years ago the cabinet identified six major festivals - Hari Raya, Deepavali, Chinese New Year, Gawai, Christmas and Kaamatan - for the tourism calendar. He said this was when religious sensitivities took top priority together with protocols for the palace and the government. “So long as it is not an insult to religion, I think it’s okay.” He said the open house event was sponsored by the Arts, Culture and Heritage Ministry for the public similar to a National Day celebration which is intended to bring all Malaysians together as well as draw in the tourism dollars. “Given the government’s objective of promoting national integration, I think it’s our duty as Christians to show goodwill and share our festivities with others.” Asked on the don’ts’ for the event, he said they include hymns like Silent Night, the Nativity scene as the backdrop, carols, and all religious symbols and biblical phrases. “The symbol of a Christmas tree is allowed and guests will be given Christmas cakes. There will also be the usual Malaysia Book of Records-type of gimmicks as part of the entertainment,” he added. Don't be narrow minded Veteran songstress Francesca Peters (right) and first Malaysian Idol Jaclyn Victor are expected to be among the celebrities performing at the Christmas open house. On the anger felt by some church leaders, Hermen said certain things cannot be done for the simple reason that Malaysia is a multi-religious society. “As a rule, we cannot do things that hurt the sensitivities of others. The only exception is Islam, because it is the country’s official religion although there have been repeated calls for equal treatment from the others. He said that during inter-religious dialogues with the government, representatives from the different faiths have repeatedly insisted against non-Muslims being subjected to Muslim prayers. “This is why I don’t think the church should be so narrow now, given that we ourselves have been asking for our sensitivities to be respected. “What we can do is teach people in church to be alert to the commercialism of Christmas. But at the end of day, who am I to stop a supermarket from playing a hymn or doing business their way?”

Shocking to say the least. It is an event to celebrate Christmas. Christmas is about Christ and the day he was born. It is about celebrating and remembering the sacrifices of Jesus. Christmas is NOT about Christmas trees or Santa Clauses. By not allowing Jesus to be remembered on this day is blasphemous against the religion. Religious leaders that condoned and succumbed to these demands from the Government is not fit for such positions. In their selfish pursuit of publicity in this so called made for TV event, they have turned their backs on Jesus.

This is not the national integration that we have in mind. The Government is not sincere in its efforts to protect the rights of non-Muslims as enshrined in the Constitution. Their superficial gesture is made to paint a picture of racial and religious tolerance. If indeed they were tolerant, they should respect the very core reason of celebrating Christmas. Without Jesus, there is no Christmas. Period.