The inescapable irony of religious righteousness

The inescapable irony of religious righteousness

I AM a Christian and the irony does not escape me that I find it all the more alarming that the new executive committee (exco) of the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) consists of mainly Christians, backed by their church leaders and members.

Senior pastor Derek Hong of the church to which most of the new exco members belong reportedly called on his flock to support new Aware president Josie Lau and her "sisters" at the organisation.

Members of the old guard responded by urging their own supporters to join the women's organisation.

Forgive me if my knowledge of the Bible serves me wrong, but I don't think all this is in the spirit of Christianity, or Christ, for that matter.

Surely Christ's call is to "be the light of the world", to live a life of love and integrity that would benefit people around us, and thus influence others to be likewise.

Ms Lau and her band of "sisters" would have got my respect had they set up an alternative Christian women's organisation to Aware, through which they would then have had complete legitimacy to promote their religious values concerning many issues, including homosexuality.

Instead, Singaporeans now wait with bated breath for today's face-off when a mainly homogeneous Christian group pits itself against a more diverse group of individuals who had come together because of a proven concern for women's issues.

While it is anybody's guess what the outcome would be, history has shown us that, more often than not, religious fervour is a powerful force to contend with.

Lim Li Koon (Ms)

http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=27734.304