Meditation: The Path to Wisdom?

Meditation: the Path to Wisdom? Meditation and altered-state consciousness are certainly not the usual topics one brings up at a cocktail party. But I decided to ask Mr. Lim why he would rather spend so much time alone meditating in his room when all his colleagues are out at the karaoke bar having a great … Continue reading “Meditation: The Path to Wisdom?”

Meditation: the Path to Wisdom?

Meditation and altered-state consciousness are certainly not the usual topics one brings up at a cocktail party. But I decided to ask Mr. Lim why he would rather spend so much time alone meditating in his room when all his colleagues are out at the karaoke bar having a great time. He answered in a matter-of-fact tone, “Meditation has not only given me special insight into present reality but it has also enabled me to look into my past incarnation.” Continue reading “Meditation: The Path to Wisdom?”

KrisisPraxis Has Moved to a New Website

ANNOUNCEMENT: The address of KrisisPraxis website is now at: https://krisispraxis.com Please update your browser’s bookmarks accordingly Kam Weng

ANNOUNCEMENT:

The address of KrisisPraxis website is now at:

https://krisispraxis.com

Please update your browser’s bookmarks accordingly

Kam Weng

Allah lawsuit: Muslim Councils Rush to Intervene, Archbishop Objects

Comment: Amazing! So many Muslim Councils rushing to join the fray. Perhaps they are nervous about losing their case and seek assurance in numbers. It would have been so much simpler if people concerned just allow the two immediate parties involved in the suit to calmly and rationally argue their case. Surely it can’t be … Continue reading “Allah lawsuit: Muslim Councils Rush to Intervene, Archbishop Objects”

Comment: Amazing! So many Muslim Councils rushing to join the fray. Perhaps they are nervous about losing their case and seek assurance in numbers. It would have been so much simpler if people concerned just allow the two immediate parties involved in the suit to calmly and rationally argue their case. Surely it can’t be the case that 10+ Muslim councils are each presenting its own unique argument? Indeed, judging from eyewitness report describing the atmosphere at the court, It seems to me that some Muslim are more propelled by emotions than by rational and respectful argumentation.

More likely, and more disturbingly, the flood of applications, or rather the inflated crowd at the court is a show of force to intimidate the Catholic Church or the honorable judge. Continue reading “Allah lawsuit: Muslim Councils Rush to Intervene, Archbishop Objects”

Allah and Bible Translation Again: New Light from an Ancient Manuscript

Allah and Bible Translation Again: New Light from an Ancient Manuscript As expected, the hearing of the application by the Sidang Injil Borneo (Borneo Evangelical Church) Sabah for leave to sue the government over the right Christians to use the word “Allah” was adjourned to 7 Aug. It is most interesting that it is the … Continue reading “Allah and Bible Translation Again: New Light from an Ancient Manuscript”

Allah and Bible Translation Again: New Light from an Ancient Manuscript

As expected, the hearing of the application by the Sidang Injil Borneo (Borneo Evangelical Church) Sabah for leave to sue the government over the right Christians to use the word “Allah” was adjourned to 7 Aug.

It is most interesting that it is the government officials who keep asking for postponement of the court hearing. I think the government knows that its policy of banning the use of the word ‘Allah’ by non-Muslims is just intellectually untenable, legally indefensible and morally embarrassing. Hence, it resorts to asking for postponement of both the SIB case and the Catholic Herald case on grounds of legal technicalities. Continue reading “Allah and Bible Translation Again: New Light from an Ancient Manuscript”

‘Allah’ vs. God

I just received a news update on the court case regarding the prohibition of the use of ‘Allah’ in non-Muslim media: The Minister for Internal Security issued a Publication Permit dated 12th February 2008 (for the period 1st January 2008 until 31st December 2008) to the Titular Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, the Publisher … Continue reading “‘Allah’ vs. God”

I just received a news update on the court case regarding the prohibition of the use of ‘Allah’ in non-Muslim media:

The Minister for Internal Security issued a Publication Permit dated 12th February 2008 (for the period 1st January 2008 until 31st December 2008) to the Titular Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, the Publisher of the ‘ HERALD – The Catholic Weekly’ stating that the Publication Permit is subject to a “Garis Panduan Penerbitan” which prohibits the Publisher from using the word ALLAH in the HERALD – The Catholic Weekly.

The decision of the Minister for Internal Security was unacceptable and on 19th March 2008, an Application for Judicial Review was filed in the Kuala Lumpur High Court to challenge the decision of the Minister. The first state of the Application for Judicial Review (i.e. to seek leave or permission to proceed) is fixed for hearing at 9.00am on 25th April 2008. Archbishop Murphy Pakiam will be in the High Court for the hearing.

Continue reading “‘Allah’ vs. God”

Server is Up and Running Again: Good Feeling.

It is good feeling no doubt to have the server up and running. Unfortunately I won’t be able to give new postings for the next 3 weeks. I am at the moment too busy preparing for a Christian-Muslim Dialogue in Rome. I also have to prepare a few sermons as a church camp speaker. Hopefully … Continue reading “Server is Up and Running Again: Good Feeling.”

It is good feeling no doubt to have the server up and running. Unfortunately I won’t be able to give new postings for the next 3 weeks. I am at the moment too busy preparing for a Christian-Muslim Dialogue in Rome. I also have to prepare a few sermons as a church camp speaker.

Hopefully good feelings will result in productivity.

Social Contract and the Special Position of the Malays: Some Observations on the Historical Context

SOCIAL CONTRACT AND THE SPECIAL POSITION OF THE MALAYS Some observations on the Historical Context Excerpt Malay ethnic nationalists (UMNO politicians in particular) in the past usually avoided making reference to the Social Contract. But recently, these UMNO politicians seem to have overcome their reservations and are urging Malaysians to respect the Social Contract. What … Continue reading “Social Contract and the Special Position of the Malays: Some Observations on the Historical Context”

SOCIAL CONTRACT AND THE SPECIAL POSITION OF THE MALAYS

Some observations on the Historical Context

Excerpt
Malay ethnic nationalists (UMNO politicians in particular) in the past usually avoided making reference to the Social Contract. But recently, these UMNO politicians seem to have overcome their reservations and are urging Malaysians to respect the Social Contract. What is the reason behind this new openness and acknowledgement of the Social Contract? A closer analysis of their speeches would reveal a not-so-subtle attempt to reinterpret the terms of the Social Contract to conform to their ideology of Malay dominance and supremacy. That is to say, these ethnic nationalists are attempting to hijack the Social Contract and disregard for the original intent of the Founding Fathers of the nation. In this case, citing a text without respecting the historical context becomes merely a pretext for ideological manipulation of history.

Continue reading “Social Contract and the Special Position of the Malays: Some Observations on the Historical Context”

The Semantics of the Word ALLAH

In the religion of the pre-Islamic Arabs, the word Allâh is used to denote the highest god among the other gods who each has a name. But the word Allâh itself is not a name, as explained earlier. Therefore, the word Allâh was already in use before the arrival of Islam, i.e., even during the so-called ‘time of ignorance’ or the days of polytheism. The word is not a creation of the Muslims and its existence does not begin in Al-qur’ân Al-karîm. From the standpoint of linguistics, it is an ordinary Arabic word which is not specifically linked to a particular religion.

Many thanks to friends for their encouraging response the article “Mengenali Kata Allah” written by a guest writer. You can now read the English translation given below:

The Semantics of the Word ALLAH

This article discusses the word “Allâh” from the point of view of linguistics. The word “Allâh” comes from two words: al, and ilâh. Al is a definite article (comparable to the in English), and ilâh means strong, god. In Semitic languages, this word refers to a power which is beyond the reach of human beings, a power that belongs to the gods. Already in the pre-Islamic age, al-ilâh were combined to become Allâh. In the religion of the pre-Islamic Arabs, the word is used to denote the highest god among the other gods who each has a name. But the word Allâh itself is not a name, as explained earlier. Therefore, the word Allâh was already in use before the arrival of Islam, i.e., even during the so-called ‘time of ignorance’ or the days of polytheism. The word is not a creation of the Muslims and its existence does not begin in Al-qur’ân Al-karîm. From the standpoint of linguistics, it is an ordinary Arabic word which is not specifically linked to a particular religion. Continue reading “The Semantics of the Word ALLAH”

Religious Liberty Under Threat: A Kairos Public Forum

Malaysian citizens should be greatly disturbed by recent events that give alarming evidence of the erosion of religious liberty in the country. Do these events reflect the implementation of a more fundamental Islamic policy? This public forum will provide an analysis of current trends in our nation and explore how Christians may firmly and constructively respond to these challenges that threaten religious liberty in general and the Christian faith in particular.

ANNOUNCEMENT

KAIROS PUBLIC FORUM

Free Admission 

Religious Liberty Under Threat

Time/date: 8.30pm, Thu 31 January 2008

Venue: Heritage Centre, Petaling Jaya

Speakers: Dr Ng Kam Weng & Mr Lim Heng Seng

Malaysian citizens – Malaysian Christians in particular – should be greatly disturbed by recent events that give alarming evidence of the erosion of religious liberty in the country. These events include civil court judgments that advise non-Muslims to go the shariah courts to settle matters of divorce and child custody, body snatching from funeral parlors, the demolition of temples and churches, and the seizures of Sunday School materials and Christian story books for children from bookshops. Of great concern is the Cabinet announcement that non-Muslims may not use the word ‘Allah’. This prohibition would ban Holy Scriptures (Alkitab) and forbid Christians from using well established liturgy, hymns and prayers in their worship services.

Are these events merely ad-hoc actions by the authorities or do they reflect the implementation of a more fundamental Islamic policy that informs and guides the authorities in their treatment of peoples of other faiths? How should Christians view these developments? This public forum will provide an analysis of current trends in our nation and explore how Christians may firmly and constructively respond to these challenges that threaten religious liberty in general and the Christian faith in particular.

About the speakers

Dr Ng Kam Weng is Research Director of Kairos Research Centre.

Mr Lim Heng Seng, a former senior federal counsel and chairman of the industrial court, is currently a partner in a law firm in Kuala Lumpur.

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Heritage Centre.GIF