Tuesday, February 9, 2010

The insensitive indiscretion of Senior Paster Rony Tan

There is in fact no tenable defence for the inordinate indiscretion of Senior Pastor Rony Tan of the Lighthouse Evangelism church for his denigration of Buddhism and Taoism in his "miracle service". The pastor is in fact a charming and rational personality normally and exudes charisma in conducting his miracle and Sunday services at the Lighthouse Evangelism church. Attendees at the church were invariably mesmerised by his sermons which were delivered with his inimitable splendor. His genial disposition endears him to his parishioners. He has given so much of his life to the salvation of the seriously-ill who flocked to his miracle services for miracle cures. And this is a phenomenon which has to be witnessed to be believed. Even doctors who had been invited to attend such services were amazed at the "miracles".

Many people were stunned when they witnessed the incredible performance of Senior Pastor Rony Tan on online video clips when he ridiculed Buddhism in his disparaging comments about the religion. There was no doubt that these were insensitive comments which horrified and outraged the Buddhists. There was extensive public clamour for drastic action to be taken against Pastor Tan including detention under the ISA. The outburst of outrages was something to be expected considering the sensitivity of the issue. But it was up to the government security organisation, in this case the Internal Security Department (ISD), to assess the situation and take a rational view as to the type of action to be taken. In their professional assessment, they considered it adequate just be calling up Pastor Tan for a dressing down for his insensitive comments about Buddhism and a stern advice not to run down other religions in his preaching and proselytising.

Pastor Rony Tan should thank his God to be let off so lightly. He has posted an apology on the church's website, promising to respect other faiths and "not ridicule them in any way, shape and fashion". But some diehard Buddhists have maintained that posting an apology on the church's website is a lukewarm effort with its limited readership. It transpires now that TV Singapore has given quite comprehensive news reporting in all four languages of Pastor Rony Tan's apology and this should satisfy any lingering doubts as to the pastor's sincerity. Even DPM Wong Kan Seng has expressed his satisfaction with the final development.

Both the Singapore Buddhist Federation and the Singapore Taoist Federation have shown magnanimity in their response to this issue. This unfortunate polemic should now be considered closed.

11 comments:

Unknown said...

Sir, I am very concerned that People like Rony Tan is allowed to go scot free for his thinly disguised hate performance ridiculing other Religion/s.

He had previously used his position to sow falsehoods about Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transexuals...Why is this man (I am tempted to label him EVIL) allowed to continue?

He should do penance.....walk barefoot from his Church to the Buddhist Lodge and serve the destitutes lunch and may donate part of his millions in collection helping the poor and destitutes in Singapore.

Unknown said...

Out of curiosity,
what would u have done if u r still the Director of ISD ?
Do u have the final say or u take instructions/cue from the minister ?

Singapore Recalcitrant said...

I would have done what the present Director ISD has done. It's the most sensible course of action under the circumstances.

moonpointer said...

From ThinkAgain:

38 Point-by-point Clarifications of Misconceptions in Pastor Rony Tan’s Vids can be seen @
http://tinyurl.com/ygerfp3

A Little Boy named Dev said...

Dear blogger of Singapore Recalcitrant,

Let me first apologise for leaving my request on your comments page, as I couldn't reach you through any other way. I am a PhD candidate from the Communications and New Media programme at the National University of Singapore, and my research examines political blogging and collective action. "Singapore Recalcitrant" came up in my sampling process and I am writing to you to seek your valued participation in a survey.

WHAT is this study about?
Without saying too much to bias your responses, my study concerns bloggers' online usage, their social networks and their participation/non-participation in activism. Whether you have participated or have not participated in any activism activity, your responses will be vital in helping me gather empirical evidence on blogging and its effects.

WHY should you help?
There has been much talk in the media and in the parliament on the rise of blogging and online discourse. But do blogging really impact civic participation? How does it do so? Your responses to the simple survey will go a long way in contributing to the nascent field of research on blogging in Singapore.

HOW can you help?
The survey involves easy-to-answer questions (e.g. Yes/No, ratings of “1” to “5”) and will take only about 20 minutes of your time. Based on your preference, I can conduct the survey via email (or any other ways you prefer). Just send me an email and I will forward you the survey form.

Please help!
Bearing in mind the potential difficulties in getting an adequate sample for such a study, I would like to stress that every single participation counts. In addition, this study has been approved by the NUS Ethical Review Committee. You have my complete assurance that all your responses will be kept strictly confidential and your identity anonymous.

I have attached a Participation Information Sheet for more information. Do visit http://www.fas.nus.edu.sg/cnm/research%20students/2006_grad_carol.htm for a brief write-up of my profile (please cut and paste if the link doesn't work). Being a student with no funding support, I am bearing all research costs and appealing to your goodwill (and hopefully curiosity?) to take part in this study.

I look forward to hearing positively from you soon. Thank you for reading this and giving my request your due consideration.

Best regards,

Carol Soon

(Emails: wtsoon@nus.edu.sg and carol_soon@yahoo.com.sg)

Singapore Recalcitrant said...

Sorry I have only just got sight of your comment. I will get back to you after I have read your Participation Information Sheet and your profile. My email address is:siewwah27@singnet.com.sg

Unknown said...

Sir,
What are you thoughts on Pastor Rony Tan's HATE MESSAGE against Gays, Lesbians, Transsexuals in his Miracle Episode with Cheryl Bachelor?

Shouldn't He be taken to task for spreading HATE against Minorities who I believe in his Religion also consider them as "Children" of his God? He has used his God's name to condemm the Gays and Lesbians isn't that very EVIL and DIABOLICAL?

Singapore Recalcitrant said...

Dear ddy,

What Pastor Rony Tan has said against Gays and Lesbians is uncalled for and reports have been made to the police. It's now up to the police to decide if any offence has been disclosed.

To be fair Pastor Rony Tan has stated that he does not discriminate against Gays and Lesbians.

Unknown said...

Dear Sir,
I am not really concern whether Rony Tan will be prosecuted or not.....or whether He gets a PBM for writing a song and dedicating to the Mother of Ministers and his wife..
I am extremely disapointed that This Man of the Cloth Rony Tan tells the GLBTs. who are also "God's" Children that He has nothing against them but then goes on to STAB them whilst hugging them whipering in their ears I love you as God's Children ...that is what He did.

He is the monkey wrench in the Christian World in Singapore.....He has managed singlehandedly set back all the good work done so far by the other denominations of the Christian Religion in Singapore....

It is time the Council of Churches haul up this deliquent self aggradazing Freak and tweek his ears for being a naughty boy.

His remarks is so inflamatory: "Very soon they will marry monkeys, donkeys and demand to apply for HDB Flats"!....He speaks with a fork tongue....How can he justify those statements...comparing LGBT people to ANIMALS, BESTIALITY...in a report India had 76% of its population being molested or sexually attacked by Adults...so now I ask Rony Tan does it mean that India has 76% Gays and Lesbians?

I hope Rony is contrite enough and he should have enough decency left in him to truly ask for forgiveness from ALL the people He has denigrated and condemmed.....He truly is EVIL!

He is the ONE under the control of the Devil .....not the Nun (Rita) who was giving testimony in one of his David Copperfield Circus Act.

Singapore Recalcitrant said...

Dear ddy,

I fully understand your strong feelings against Pastor Tony Tan who seems to be lacking the moral character expected of a pastor. I am sure there are many who share your embittered feelings.

It takes a callous pastor who does not change with all the scathing criticisms against him.

Unknown said...

WORK AND STUDY