Remark by pastor cause for concern, notwithstanding apology

Remark by pastor cause for concern, notwithstanding apology

I REFER to last Saturday's article, 'Pastor regrets 'actions on pulpit' '. Now that the Aware EGM is over and a new executive committee is elected, it is time to move on and start to see how this civil group can work towards what it stands for, with a clear mandate by members, new or otherwise.

However, the remark by senior pastor Derek Hong of the Church of Our Saviour is a cause for concern. He said: 'I regret that this matter has caused concern and unhappiness. My actions on the pulpit have aroused some tension in this saga. I now stand corrected.'

I cannot help but to feel that the pastor does not feel remorseful about what he mentioned in an earlier article, when he said: 'It's not a crusade against the people but there's a line that God has drawn for us, and we don't want our nation crossing that line.'

Pastor Hong spoke about his 'regret' only after the stance by National Council of Churches of Singapore president, Archbishop John Chew, with affirmation from Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng, who reiterated that there is a need for tolerance and restraint by all religious groups.

Pastor Hong should understand that, as a pastor with authority, what he said would influence not only his congregation but also other people, and that religion should not have a place in this saga. The remarks were very polarising. He has to be sensitive to the fact that religious harmony is not a given, it exists in Singapore because of the mutual tolerance of religious communities and the strong advocacy of the Government, and therefore cannot be taken for granted.

If Pastor Hong is truly regretful, a simple phrase of 'I am sorry I made those remarks' would have been much more humble than 'I stand corrected', as remarks that cause religious disharmony can have far-reaching and dire consequences.

It would do great disservice to Christianity if laymen start to perceive negatively that Christianity is an imposing, opinionated and uncompassionate religion, when it teaches, love, kindness and mercy.

Lee Swee Mei (Miss)

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