For the past few months several hard hitting and gut wrenching murder cases in Indonesia and who can forget the Bali Bombing tragedy that has affected countless families both domestic and foreign are said to be resolved as the convicted perpetrators are being sent to the "gallows" (pardon my pun as I'm using an old phrase) or to be more precise they are being sent to face the firing squad.
There were many suggestions, letters and opinions on this issue, and the highlight was that the father of one of the victim's of Bali Bombing was stated to urge our Indonesian government not to carry out the death penalty.
This made me think, and quite a while I might add on the argument for this. I myself is a neutral on this issue. As my upbringing is Catholicism I am against this kind of penalty, however I was never faced (and hope to never will) with the decision of having someone's live hinging on my principal and values like the above mentioned father of the victim.
However, living in the real world has given me some pragmatical view of this issue, which led me to see this as a conundrum, a puzzle that bewilders me especially because of the values that this (the Indonesian) government uses sometimes in justifying their "governance".
In the old United States there exist such laws that is protected by its constitution and supreme courts in matters of life and death with the likes of Posse Commitatus, Self Preservation (self defence), The rights for women to have an abortion (Roe vs Wade) and rights to own a registered gun. In plain and laymen terms these laws is basically saying that it is okay for a citizen to kill (note; not murder) another in times of grave danger and for self preservation of course these circumstances may need to be proven in a court of law.
Now, with those kinds of law why would anyone wonder they have a capital punshment (death penalty) is beyond my comprehension.
Indonesia on the other hand has no such laws. People who are in immediate danger having to kill or taken another live would still be punish, our current laws forbids the forming of posse commitatus and also the act of abortion. Seems like the Indonesian is a country that champions live doesn't it. Well we still have the Capital Punishment or Death Penalty.
Now here is my "conundrum", how is it possible that if my life were to be threaten at knife point (Indonesian Laws forbid ownership of guns by a civilian) and I had no where to run and then I reacted in a manner that resulted in the death of my assailant, I would still get punish in the eyes of the law??
Now the same law that governs me to be punished allows a capital punishment or death sentence of the same assailant if I were to die at his/her hands horrifically. Wouldn't that make the law a hypocrite?? and where is does justice exist for me out of the two cases. I am alive but I go to Jail for killing in self defence and the other one I'm dead!!!! why should I care if my assailant dies with me.
Again, I must stress that I'm a neutral to the Death Penalty/ Capital Punishment issue. My problem with this in Indonesia is that the government, our legislature and legal system should not be so fickle and hypocritical. It should have the same "veil of ignorance" across the board especially if we are contemplating on using the Death Penalty/ Capital Punishment as a so called deterrent.
If we are to still have the Capital Punishment or Death Penalty as a tool of the law for deterrent or closure to the victim's families then our laws must also guarantee the right of each Indonesian to defend themselves in order to preserve their lives.
However, if we are to champion live it should be all the way. This means that Capital Punishment should not be incorporated into our laws.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
CHILDREN'S DECLARATION GOT STOMPED
I was reading The Jakarta Post today and saw the headline "Children feel 'hurt' on their national day". This got my attention big time especially because yesterday was the National Children's Day. I was also largely interested because I imagined that the 'hurt' was abstract and was only a catch phrase to draw readers (suggested by the apostrophe sign on 'hurt'). But to my surprise as I read the article, it was a true and real hurt even if it is not manifested physically.
I never would imagine that, a minister would ask or ordered such a thing in this day and era. How could a man who claims to be an executive for the people turn down a righteous appeal and declaration? A declaration that is neither subversive and/or offensive. The declaration that was censored was "a declaration to strive and call for the need of a special ministry for children's affairs that responds to children's needs". I was utterly disappointed especially when I saw that the Minister of Social Services, Mr. Bachtiar Chamsyah, defended the restriction and censor. How could someone heads a ministry of Social Services not possess a Social Awareness of how hurtful this action was.
Although, he made an excuse that he had explained that the country's current condition warranted the government's inability to setup such a ministry, it was not his right to stop someone or a group of people to declare their efforts and aspirations. And just so you know, the declaration never mentioned any deadline to when this ministry should be established.
I was appalled, mainly because it was emblematic of the problems that children are facing through out Indonesia in being cast out, bullied and dismissed by adults or by people with power. It was even more shocking that it happened on the back of another story on child abuse (see article : Govt action needed on child abuse) on the same newspaper.
I asked myself, what kinds of reasons other than the 'excuse' that Mr. Chamsyah had given would merit such a censorship? The only reasons that I could think of right now as I'm writing this is that Those Children was not considered as constituents. Maybe because they aren't old enough to vote yet or they are being dismissed as not being "experienced" enough to handle such freedom of speech.
Well I say, all the more reason to have the ministry, because they are future constituents and being 'inexperience' they should have more guidance not less, they should be given more protection rather than more restriction especially if it is a positive declaration and most of all they should be given better examples of how freedom of speech is welcomed and protected.
Mr. Bachtiar Chamsyah should lead by example, he should have protected the right of the children to declare their aspirations and initatives.
This whole thing reminded me of an episode from one of my favorite TV series from the United States called "The West Wing" in which the story was the Chief of Staff's Deputy of Communication for the White house was entertaining a group young kids that wanted their issues heard and especially about their aspiration of a lower age to vote so that they could be immediate constituents and their rights be fully protected. I suggest that Mr. Bachtiar Chamsyah watch this episode, in fact I suggest that the whole cabinet to try to find the time to watch this TV Series, although this Series is Fiction the issues involved however are not plus the backdrop of how a real and idealistic democracy was injected in this Series hence they would only stand to gain by watching it.
I do hope that in the near future, the government would readily listen to the whole of the children's aspiration and declaration
I never would imagine that, a minister would ask or ordered such a thing in this day and era. How could a man who claims to be an executive for the people turn down a righteous appeal and declaration? A declaration that is neither subversive and/or offensive. The declaration that was censored was "a declaration to strive and call for the need of a special ministry for children's affairs that responds to children's needs". I was utterly disappointed especially when I saw that the Minister of Social Services, Mr. Bachtiar Chamsyah, defended the restriction and censor. How could someone heads a ministry of Social Services not possess a Social Awareness of how hurtful this action was.
Although, he made an excuse that he had explained that the country's current condition warranted the government's inability to setup such a ministry, it was not his right to stop someone or a group of people to declare their efforts and aspirations. And just so you know, the declaration never mentioned any deadline to when this ministry should be established.
I was appalled, mainly because it was emblematic of the problems that children are facing through out Indonesia in being cast out, bullied and dismissed by adults or by people with power. It was even more shocking that it happened on the back of another story on child abuse (see article : Govt action needed on child abuse) on the same newspaper.
I asked myself, what kinds of reasons other than the 'excuse' that Mr. Chamsyah had given would merit such a censorship? The only reasons that I could think of right now as I'm writing this is that Those Children was not considered as constituents. Maybe because they aren't old enough to vote yet or they are being dismissed as not being "experienced" enough to handle such freedom of speech.
Well I say, all the more reason to have the ministry, because they are future constituents and being 'inexperience' they should have more guidance not less, they should be given more protection rather than more restriction especially if it is a positive declaration and most of all they should be given better examples of how freedom of speech is welcomed and protected.
Mr. Bachtiar Chamsyah should lead by example, he should have protected the right of the children to declare their aspirations and initatives.
This whole thing reminded me of an episode from one of my favorite TV series from the United States called "The West Wing" in which the story was the Chief of Staff's Deputy of Communication for the White house was entertaining a group young kids that wanted their issues heard and especially about their aspiration of a lower age to vote so that they could be immediate constituents and their rights be fully protected. I suggest that Mr. Bachtiar Chamsyah watch this episode, in fact I suggest that the whole cabinet to try to find the time to watch this TV Series, although this Series is Fiction the issues involved however are not plus the backdrop of how a real and idealistic democracy was injected in this Series hence they would only stand to gain by watching it.
I do hope that in the near future, the government would readily listen to the whole of the children's aspiration and declaration
Monday, May 19, 2008
Thoughts On Pre-Marital Sex
“I never believed women had to be virgins when they got married, or that a woman has to fall in love with a guy just because they’re having sex. I don’t think sex is a big deal. I hated the hypocrisy of it. Men can do whatever, and it’s acceptable.” by Jessica Alba
Before we begin the main "course" let me tell you about what has been taught to me for almost half of my life. As an eastern/asian educated boy in Indonesia I grew up hearing that when I become a man and when I get married my wife must be a virgin. Not only that, I was taught that sex before marriage or pre-marital sex is a big sin.
As I grew up, these teachings more and more seems unreasonable to me to the point where I would ask critical questions like;
- If I as a man must marry a virgin does that mean that I must be a virgin?
- Then how would then one define virginity for a man as there is no physical traits that can be traced verify that a man is a virgin?
- What happens if a man then falls in love with a widow?
- If one truly loves a woman shouldn't he accept her truly and wholly as she is with her imperfections?
- How then a woman would find happiness if she lost her virginity? should she be made to suffer for a mistake that is only partly her responsibility?
These questions kept begging in the back of my mind from the start of my teenage years untill I finished High school.
Slowly but surely I found my answers, that is why I find that the Jessica Alba quote very interesting because it sparked off an argument that I had inside of my head that I thought was resolved over the last ten years of my life. Although for the last ten years I've only shared those thoughts with those who are close to me now that I have this media, I would like to share it with the world. So here we go;
For me at least, I agree that women do not have to be virgins when they get married with the simple reason of equal treatment that if a man expects virginity from a woman he himself should also be a virgin. My other reason is that if and when I truly fall in love with a woman I must accept her wholly as she is because I also expect her to accept myself as is.
On the matter of pre-marital sex, I do not oppose the idea but rather prefer to re-classify the whole idea.
In my view we have to have two categories and they are pre-marital and pre-adulthood sex.
Pre-marital sex is when two people above the age 18 (after Senior High; based on adulthood definition in Indonesia) who are considered as adults engage in a sexual relationship. This classification of pre-marital sex I can go along with. I do not mind when adults live together and have a sexual relationship as they have the right to form their own relationship and define as well as find out where the relationship should be going towards. More ever being adults they are responsible for their own actions and they should be able to deal with any of its consequences.
Pre-adulthood sex is when the two people are minors (18 years old and below), as most probably they are still in high school (whether Junior or Senior) and they are still dependant to their parents. I would never condone sexual acts on or by minors. Being minors they are not equipped to handle the responsibility and consequences of a having sex let alone a sexual relationship.
I seems to be on the fence when she says that a woman should not have to fall in love with a man just because they are having sex. To me this isn't totally correct because a truly sexual experience involves passion and in order to have passion you have to have a certain degree of love. Despite that fact, I do agree that a sexual experience doesn't have to be dictated by the feeling of falling in love and having to end up together.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
The Dillema of Distributing Condoms
Just read a quite a funny article today.........
The article was about a music album that is being sold with a free condom inside the CD case........
The funny thing is that this shouldn't have gotten any mileage at all in the press other than reason that the singer (Julia Perez) isn't that good (a bit like Paris Hilton, who I think is mostly only riding on her popularity more than her talent on her first album), at least for my taste...........
Guess what happened......... some religious organization, a provincial/ regional head of office and even a minister spoke out about banning it............
I do know that most Indonesian are smart...... especially........... those who hold official power like the ones I mentioned above............
Just because of those hot pistols shoot off their mouths the album sales actually shot up......
even some people are trying to download the music to hear if there are some promiscuous lyrics that they can make a story about.................
They should have calmed down about it and if they really need to get it off their chest they should have just played the sarcastic game for example by saying that the album will sink and even an air tight condom can't save it............... More ever how stupid do those people think Indonesian are??
There's no way people will buy an album just to get the condom and then sleep around.......
Helloooooo a pack of condom is definitely cheaper than a CD or cassette tape........
and they can be found in almost every convinience store in Indonesia now............
Also, why should anyone be surprise of the Julia Perez would do this when she was once chosen to be a part of the AIDS prevention programme......... which by the way as she said,..... her actual reason for doing so.
Although I'm not a fan of her, I applaud her efforts, because personally one of my ideas to prevent the spread of AIDS is to have a condom vending machine in every Restroom all over Indonesia and also to distribute condoms for free in High-Risk areas like Bali, Batam and Jakarta.
Give sex as well as reproductive system educations in Junior High (in Indonesia it's starts on the 7th grade after 6 year of Elementary school) or starting the age of 12 - 13 years old.
I say we shouldn't be banning her album in fact we should be doing the same thing if we want to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS............
If they say that by distributing condoms it promotes The Free Sex Lifestyle that is Morally wrong, well I say this;
"There is a bigger moral issue that is in play here and it is our God Given Moral duty to Prevent any loss of lives".
The article was about a music album that is being sold with a free condom inside the CD case........
The funny thing is that this shouldn't have gotten any mileage at all in the press other than reason that the singer (Julia Perez) isn't that good (a bit like Paris Hilton, who I think is mostly only riding on her popularity more than her talent on her first album), at least for my taste...........
Guess what happened......... some religious organization, a provincial/ regional head of office and even a minister spoke out about banning it............
I do know that most Indonesian are smart...... especially........... those who hold official power like the ones I mentioned above............
Just because of those hot pistols shoot off their mouths the album sales actually shot up......
even some people are trying to download the music to hear if there are some promiscuous lyrics that they can make a story about.................
They should have calmed down about it and if they really need to get it off their chest they should have just played the sarcastic game for example by saying that the album will sink and even an air tight condom can't save it............... More ever how stupid do those people think Indonesian are??
There's no way people will buy an album just to get the condom and then sleep around.......
Helloooooo a pack of condom is definitely cheaper than a CD or cassette tape........
and they can be found in almost every convinience store in Indonesia now............
Also, why should anyone be surprise of the Julia Perez would do this when she was once chosen to be a part of the AIDS prevention programme......... which by the way as she said,..... her actual reason for doing so.
Although I'm not a fan of her, I applaud her efforts, because personally one of my ideas to prevent the spread of AIDS is to have a condom vending machine in every Restroom all over Indonesia and also to distribute condoms for free in High-Risk areas like Bali, Batam and Jakarta.
Give sex as well as reproductive system educations in Junior High (in Indonesia it's starts on the 7th grade after 6 year of Elementary school) or starting the age of 12 - 13 years old.
I say we shouldn't be banning her album in fact we should be doing the same thing if we want to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS............
If they say that by distributing condoms it promotes The Free Sex Lifestyle that is Morally wrong, well I say this;
"There is a bigger moral issue that is in play here and it is our God Given Moral duty to Prevent any loss of lives".
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Freedom of Speech & Expression
For a few days now Indonesia has been in turmoil over the freedom of speech & expression,
first of it was because of a stupid movie made by an ignorant man that is half way around the world away and the latest was of course the banning of a "dangdut" celebrity Ms. Dewi Persik who was allegedly dancing "too erotically" by the Mayor of Bandung.
First of all let's discuss about the freedom of speech and expression,
the idea of this of course came from our "big bro" the United States of America.
The idea was simple; every one has the right to speak about their opinions and express it so that they can be heard. This is done so that the minority opinion would have a standing in any matters that would alter the course of governance and way of life in the good old USA.
I thought that was genius, because in doing so a "Check and Balance" system was automatically in place, as basically pointed out today on The Jakarta Post Reader's Forum (17th April 2008 pg 7) by a man after my own heart Mr. Guile. The right of the people who makes porn sites to post their website is what guarantees that my right to post this blog of mine exists. That's how the check and balance works. In reverse the right for me to critize, protest and rebuke and warn people to take caution of a post is protected.
Now to Dewi Persik's problem, it is the same, the right for her to work the stage and dance "erotically" (in this case I utterly disagree that her dancing is erotic, to me its more like an amazement on her stamina to perform a song and still able to move like that) is the same right I enjoy to dance the Tango or Salsa or even to enjoy the Jaipong which is a traditional "sexy" dancing. The problem of banning her under the excuse of "making the men horny" is very much ambigous and may have further legal implications that is illogical. For example, If a woman went swimming even using a one piece suit and she got raped would you say that she brought upon against herself?? would you be comfortable in saying that it's not only the rapist fault but also the fault of the woman??. I'll bet that no one in his or her right mind would believe that. Not only that, would the mayor of Bandung ban paintings of Affandi and Basoeki that has a certain degree of nudity because it would invite "horny" reactions. Even in sports, in reverse would the same mayor ban men body building competitions because they only wear "under wears" and might incite housewives who watch the competition to commit adultery?.
Now the question begs, where do you draw the line?. My line is clear, it is the people who watch, see or looked that has to be responsible for their actions. If someone saw a so called erotic show and on the way home they raped someone, that someone is solely responsible and should be punished not the performer or the artist.
first of it was because of a stupid movie made by an ignorant man that is half way around the world away and the latest was of course the banning of a "dangdut" celebrity Ms. Dewi Persik who was allegedly dancing "too erotically" by the Mayor of Bandung.
First of all let's discuss about the freedom of speech and expression,
the idea of this of course came from our "big bro" the United States of America.
The idea was simple; every one has the right to speak about their opinions and express it so that they can be heard. This is done so that the minority opinion would have a standing in any matters that would alter the course of governance and way of life in the good old USA.
I thought that was genius, because in doing so a "Check and Balance" system was automatically in place, as basically pointed out today on The Jakarta Post Reader's Forum (17th April 2008 pg 7) by a man after my own heart Mr. Guile. The right of the people who makes porn sites to post their website is what guarantees that my right to post this blog of mine exists. That's how the check and balance works. In reverse the right for me to critize, protest and rebuke and warn people to take caution of a post is protected.
Now to Dewi Persik's problem, it is the same, the right for her to work the stage and dance "erotically" (in this case I utterly disagree that her dancing is erotic, to me its more like an amazement on her stamina to perform a song and still able to move like that) is the same right I enjoy to dance the Tango or Salsa or even to enjoy the Jaipong which is a traditional "sexy" dancing. The problem of banning her under the excuse of "making the men horny" is very much ambigous and may have further legal implications that is illogical. For example, If a woman went swimming even using a one piece suit and she got raped would you say that she brought upon against herself?? would you be comfortable in saying that it's not only the rapist fault but also the fault of the woman??. I'll bet that no one in his or her right mind would believe that. Not only that, would the mayor of Bandung ban paintings of Affandi and Basoeki that has a certain degree of nudity because it would invite "horny" reactions. Even in sports, in reverse would the same mayor ban men body building competitions because they only wear "under wears" and might incite housewives who watch the competition to commit adultery?.
Now the question begs, where do you draw the line?. My line is clear, it is the people who watch, see or looked that has to be responsible for their actions. If someone saw a so called erotic show and on the way home they raped someone, that someone is solely responsible and should be punished not the performer or the artist.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Follow - up of Separation of Church and State
In Matthew 22:15-22 we read:
Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"
But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?"
"Caesar's," they replied.
Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."
When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.
The last time I was talking about this topic it was aimed at my native country.... Indonesia who is currently according to my opinion not truly separating between Religion and State.
But as read through newspapers specially during this election battles that even in the United States this issue is still an on going battle between the conservatives and the liberals.
Sorry to say but I am more incline to side with the Liberals here, mainly because of the above Verse.......
The Passage taken from the book of Matthew above clearly states that even Jesus Our Saviour honours the separation of Church and States. He acknowledges that we must separate our obligation to the Church apart from what our obligation is to the Government.
That is why I agree that our religious disposition should not be compiled into the way a country is run.
Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"
But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?"
"Caesar's," they replied.
Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."
When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.
The last time I was talking about this topic it was aimed at my native country.... Indonesia who is currently according to my opinion not truly separating between Religion and State.
But as read through newspapers specially during this election battles that even in the United States this issue is still an on going battle between the conservatives and the liberals.
Sorry to say but I am more incline to side with the Liberals here, mainly because of the above Verse.......
The Passage taken from the book of Matthew above clearly states that even Jesus Our Saviour honours the separation of Church and States. He acknowledges that we must separate our obligation to the Church apart from what our obligation is to the Government.
That is why I agree that our religious disposition should not be compiled into the way a country is run.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Separation of Church and State
This is a topic that I think the Indonesian Government should listen and implement in ............
The Idea of separation of church and state is born by the proclamators of the United States of America.......
Their Idea is simple knowing that there were religious unrest in europe and that their country will be and is a plural country as people from different religion and divine cultures would come and in order for the government to run and be able to function, their official religion should be no religion.
The reasoning was written down by Thomas Jefferson who said:
"Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church & State."
Now to all conservatives this might not be ideal, however in order to foster democracy, all should be included and no matter what their beliefs they must be able to function as both citizens and government personnels.
That was why in the USA, state/public schools are not allowed to hold school prayers or the teaching of one particular or even any religion.
The answer of why they tought that in schools this should not be in the curriculum is that school is a place for scientific and logical learning and the teaching of religion is in the exact opposite. Religion teaches us that scientific prove and logic does not apply to faith whereas in science for every reaction there exist an action that provokes it. Although I do believe that in the beginning of all that begun something begin, not all share this belief. I believe it isn't the Christian way to enforce my beliefs to others hence I do not want anyone to enforce their beliefs unto me. At the beginning of this blog I said that the Indonesian Government should apply this philosophy into the governing and law making process. Separation of church and and state for our country should be endowed as separation of religion and state and one of the way to do this is to dismantle the KUA and the Ministry of Religion. Government should not be in the business of controlling anyone's beliefs more ever here in Indonesia it symbolizes a tendency of favouritism towards certain beliefs, which is the very opposite what our heroes that died for our independence want it to be.
I do believe once we instill this philosophy, Indonesia would be as great a nation that would even rival the United States of America in all aspects.
The Idea of separation of church and state is born by the proclamators of the United States of America.......
Their Idea is simple knowing that there were religious unrest in europe and that their country will be and is a plural country as people from different religion and divine cultures would come and in order for the government to run and be able to function, their official religion should be no religion.
The reasoning was written down by Thomas Jefferson who said:
"Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church & State."
Now to all conservatives this might not be ideal, however in order to foster democracy, all should be included and no matter what their beliefs they must be able to function as both citizens and government personnels.
That was why in the USA, state/public schools are not allowed to hold school prayers or the teaching of one particular or even any religion.
The answer of why they tought that in schools this should not be in the curriculum is that school is a place for scientific and logical learning and the teaching of religion is in the exact opposite. Religion teaches us that scientific prove and logic does not apply to faith whereas in science for every reaction there exist an action that provokes it. Although I do believe that in the beginning of all that begun something begin, not all share this belief. I believe it isn't the Christian way to enforce my beliefs to others hence I do not want anyone to enforce their beliefs unto me. At the beginning of this blog I said that the Indonesian Government should apply this philosophy into the governing and law making process. Separation of church and and state for our country should be endowed as separation of religion and state and one of the way to do this is to dismantle the KUA and the Ministry of Religion. Government should not be in the business of controlling anyone's beliefs more ever here in Indonesia it symbolizes a tendency of favouritism towards certain beliefs, which is the very opposite what our heroes that died for our independence want it to be.
I do believe once we instill this philosophy, Indonesia would be as great a nation that would even rival the United States of America in all aspects.
Monday, March 24, 2008
The Great Debaters
I just saw a powerful movie about racial inequality in the land of United States........
This movie was about a team of african american debaters in 1935 and was based on a true story......
It showed one of the darker times of racial relations especially in the southern states during that time.............
At a time when african americans were presecuted with prejudice these group of people did what during that time was something next to impossible............
They were the first african american debate team to win against the reigning champion of debate at that time from Harvard............
The story was powerful..... however although Denzel was a powerful actor I do not think he's yet to prove himself as a great director yet......... to me it was reminiscent of another powerful movie about racial interaction called "Remember The Titans". It seems that Denzel Wahington is only carbon copying that movie into the plot of The Great Debaters especially the medley of wins the debators were streaking............
Acting wise though was as usual superb.... Denzel Washington had two great and memorable scenes... one was because of his interactions with another great actor Forrest Whitaker the other was when His Character explained where the word lynching (you can see the history on the link) was derived from...............
I had hoped that the younger casts especially one who had both two great actors namesake Denzel Whitaker to steal the limelight however I just Didn't get it till the end...... his acting was good but I just thought that if this story was directed by someone who had more experience especially with african american movies like Spike Lee, Denzel Whitaker would have blown away all of us and probably possible to win some kind of young actors award.........
The only thing that helped Denzel Washington and drive people to watch this movie is the power of the story........
For people who likes this kind of niche and stories of the "David beating Goliath" type like I am, I would recommend it but if you are one of those who looks for great acting and directing I wouldn't recommend you to go to the movies, buy the dvd or even rent it don't waste your money on it just borrow it from a friend who is either great fan of Denzel Washington or like me who likes this kind of movie
Acting and Directing wise it's a 2 and1/2 star out of 5 but story wise it was a 3 and 1/2
This movie was about a team of african american debaters in 1935 and was based on a true story......
It showed one of the darker times of racial relations especially in the southern states during that time.............
At a time when african americans were presecuted with prejudice these group of people did what during that time was something next to impossible............
They were the first african american debate team to win against the reigning champion of debate at that time from Harvard............
The story was powerful..... however although Denzel was a powerful actor I do not think he's yet to prove himself as a great director yet......... to me it was reminiscent of another powerful movie about racial interaction called "Remember The Titans". It seems that Denzel Wahington is only carbon copying that movie into the plot of The Great Debaters especially the medley of wins the debators were streaking............
Acting wise though was as usual superb.... Denzel Washington had two great and memorable scenes... one was because of his interactions with another great actor Forrest Whitaker the other was when His Character explained where the word lynching (you can see the history on the link) was derived from...............
I had hoped that the younger casts especially one who had both two great actors namesake Denzel Whitaker to steal the limelight however I just Didn't get it till the end...... his acting was good but I just thought that if this story was directed by someone who had more experience especially with african american movies like Spike Lee, Denzel Whitaker would have blown away all of us and probably possible to win some kind of young actors award.........
The only thing that helped Denzel Washington and drive people to watch this movie is the power of the story........
For people who likes this kind of niche and stories of the "David beating Goliath" type like I am, I would recommend it but if you are one of those who looks for great acting and directing I wouldn't recommend you to go to the movies, buy the dvd or even rent it don't waste your money on it just borrow it from a friend who is either great fan of Denzel Washington or like me who likes this kind of movie
Acting and Directing wise it's a 2 and1/2 star out of 5 but story wise it was a 3 and 1/2
Sunday, March 23, 2008
August Rush
Now That Easter is over ... I thinks it's time to think about a subject that is not so heavy.......
what better subject than a movie... well if some of you think that it's weird and you thought that this was a blog dedicated just to Christianity... you were wrong.... Coz this is a Think Tank..... so basically it is a summary of my thinking at the time when I was writing this stuff..... but if you have any thing you want to discuss more about give me your comments okay....anyway let's move on shall we....
The Movie August Rush....
This movie was about a kid who grew up in a child care home.... he found out at a young age that he can hears music within his surrounding....... he could feel the rythm of every sound that he hears....... and more ever he could feel that the sounds that he hears will lead him to his parents.....
Although the ending can be foreseen to most people this movie was still touching..... as it embodies a love and bond that is so strong between parents and child and that even separated can still be united.........
This move is for those who are real romantics... if you are an action junkie I do not recommend this movie... but if you are a fan of tear jerkers than this music is for you........ and if yor are a fan of music this movie is definitely for you........
One of the great thing about this movie is that it has wonderful soundtracks that has the mixture of Classical and Pop Rock back ground and even a little bit country.......
So I do recommend that you get the complete DVD version
Any Way I give this movie a 3 1/2 star out of five
what better subject than a movie... well if some of you think that it's weird and you thought that this was a blog dedicated just to Christianity... you were wrong.... Coz this is a Think Tank..... so basically it is a summary of my thinking at the time when I was writing this stuff..... but if you have any thing you want to discuss more about give me your comments okay....anyway let's move on shall we....
The Movie August Rush....
This movie was about a kid who grew up in a child care home.... he found out at a young age that he can hears music within his surrounding....... he could feel the rythm of every sound that he hears....... and more ever he could feel that the sounds that he hears will lead him to his parents.....
Although the ending can be foreseen to most people this movie was still touching..... as it embodies a love and bond that is so strong between parents and child and that even separated can still be united.........
This move is for those who are real romantics... if you are an action junkie I do not recommend this movie... but if you are a fan of tear jerkers than this music is for you........ and if yor are a fan of music this movie is definitely for you........
One of the great thing about this movie is that it has wonderful soundtracks that has the mixture of Classical and Pop Rock back ground and even a little bit country.......
So I do recommend that you get the complete DVD version
Any Way I give this movie a 3 1/2 star out of five
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Easter's Revelation
Last night when I was attending the Last supper mass in th eSt John the Baptist church in Blok A south Jakarta the bible reading of the Mass was Exodus 12 verse 1 - 8 & 11-14. It was telling the story of how how to celebrate Easter or at that time it was called the Passover and how God's tenth fury was about to be released upon the people of Egypt who was presecuting the people of Israel. The Tenth Fury was the God wil punish the Egyptian by killing all of their first born, and the Jewish will be saved from that fury by drawing their doors with the blood of sheep that they've eaten during passover.
It's been years since I've attended sunday school, but I've distinctly remember that no one told me why the Crucifiction of Jesus was setup on the eve of passover...... maybe some of you out there knows about this....... but I just had this revealed to me during the mass.
God chose this day to let Jesus endure His suffering to show that as much as God was furious He was also willing to share in the plight of His Followers whoever they maybe, and to seal the New Covenant so that God intended for His words to be followed by all not only the Jewish but all mankind. To do this He was willing to sacrifice His own First born to teach us that He is also merciful and that He shares the pain of all mankind not only the victory of how the Jewish escaped from Egypt. God is now saying that at that time He had to be furious but now to set all of mankind free He is willing to suffer His own fury and to show His Love for all mankind not only for the people of Israel. Jesus also put forth this fact by washing the feet of His disciples and saying that If He was willing to humble himself to wash their feet they should do the same to others (Book of John 13 verse 1 - 15). God was "washing our feet" when He sent His First Born to be slain like the sheeps during Passover, God was showing that He was willing to suffer as all of Mankind do.
Let me know what you think of this revelation of mine and give me your comments .......
May This Easter sets You Free and be Full of Blessing from God and His Son Jesus Christ
It's been years since I've attended sunday school, but I've distinctly remember that no one told me why the Crucifiction of Jesus was setup on the eve of passover...... maybe some of you out there knows about this....... but I just had this revealed to me during the mass.
God chose this day to let Jesus endure His suffering to show that as much as God was furious He was also willing to share in the plight of His Followers whoever they maybe, and to seal the New Covenant so that God intended for His words to be followed by all not only the Jewish but all mankind. To do this He was willing to sacrifice His own First born to teach us that He is also merciful and that He shares the pain of all mankind not only the victory of how the Jewish escaped from Egypt. God is now saying that at that time He had to be furious but now to set all of mankind free He is willing to suffer His own fury and to show His Love for all mankind not only for the people of Israel. Jesus also put forth this fact by washing the feet of His disciples and saying that If He was willing to humble himself to wash their feet they should do the same to others (Book of John 13 verse 1 - 15). God was "washing our feet" when He sent His First Born to be slain like the sheeps during Passover, God was showing that He was willing to suffer as all of Mankind do.
Let me know what you think of this revelation of mine and give me your comments .......
May This Easter sets You Free and be Full of Blessing from God and His Son Jesus Christ
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Offending Religious Icons??
When Idols Are Offended
The Jakarta Post, Wed, 03/05/2008
"Many Christians and Muslims respect Jesus or Muhammad. They have given up learning and growing and instead seek strength in the reflected glory of their idols.
They are told that in blind submission lies virtue. In fact there lies only annihilation of the person’s creativity and individuality.
He becomes a soldier for his idol, eager to prove his devotion by smiting offenders whose reverence takes a different form, is directed elsewhere or is altogether absent.
For society, the outcome is a hierarchy built on fear, in which members of the smallest religious groups are beaten, persecuted or imprisoned by members of the largest group. The actual beliefs or practices of the persecuted groups are immaterial.
The persecution is just an outcome of the emotional need for dominance among the largest group. This is the context for the recent protests by Catholic youth groups against Tempo magazine’s cover parodying da Vinci’s ultima cena.
By intimidating an influential magazine’s editors, perhaps with court backing, they prove that they remain near the top of the hierarchy of fear, rather than down in the swamp with the deviant sects.
While their grievance may be genuine, appeasement of such protests is unhelpful.
Attacks perpetrated by religious groups against the weak and helpless are a symptom of the submissive-dominant complex outlined above. Conceeding that anger justifies censorship gives protesters an incentive to prove the force of their anger through violence.
And it reinforces their sense that idolatry confers strength. Their dependence on mindless submission increases, and with it the corresponding urge to oppress non-conformists.
It is better to remember that historic and controversial figures are not the property of any particular group. And not everyone idolizes a prophet.
Accepting censorship does not promote tolerance. It only legitimizes repression."
JOHN HARGREAVES
Jakarta
The Above has quite an impact in one's way of thinking especially if you r a Christian, to all of u who doesn't know what this guy is talking about remember that acouple of years ago and even last year there was a cartoon depiction of Mohammad the prophet of of the Islam Religion which ignited harsh comments from the moslem world... At that time me being a Christian thought that that was the worst way of handling this because these people actually did those kinds of things to ignite these kinds of reaction ....in fact they feed on it.... especially if the press got a wind of this....
and I thought to myself that (rather arrogantly perhaps) 'We Christians wouldn't have been baited like that too easily".... and boy I was naive aren't I....... turns out just a couple of months ago a spoof of Da Vinci's interpretation of The Last Supper was published and strangely enough some people seems to have been troubled by this .... my jaw almost dropped to the ground.......
although it wasn't as big of a commotion as it was with our counter-part community and seemingly to be isolated here in Indonesia and a small commune back in the States it still is bewildering to me how this kind of thing would even be imaginable........
First of All, I believe the spoof was mostly aimed at the painting rather than the occassion itself...
Secondly, to explain my naivete' why I did thought that we As Christians and I specifically a Catholic wouldn't be so fickle minded to take the bait, is that the Core of Christianity, specifically of the Catholicism school of thought is that we measure the experience & Suffering that Jesus had to endure before being cricified is what have freed and saved us... now if Jesus Christ Our Lord didn't mind being presecuted and physically tortured like that do we as followers really think that He would throw a fit at a picture of Him being replaced with a Dog Playing poker?? do we as His disciples really think that he would be that shallow??
Well again it is up to you to make up your mind and comment to me this is a cosmestic issue compared to my previous post that is a real threat to our right to commune and pray.....
more ever if we expect to be free build churches and believe in our beliefs we have to respect other free men who are free to express their way of thinking.....
The Jakarta Post, Wed, 03/05/2008
"Many Christians and Muslims respect Jesus or Muhammad. They have given up learning and growing and instead seek strength in the reflected glory of their idols.
They are told that in blind submission lies virtue. In fact there lies only annihilation of the person’s creativity and individuality.
He becomes a soldier for his idol, eager to prove his devotion by smiting offenders whose reverence takes a different form, is directed elsewhere or is altogether absent.
For society, the outcome is a hierarchy built on fear, in which members of the smallest religious groups are beaten, persecuted or imprisoned by members of the largest group. The actual beliefs or practices of the persecuted groups are immaterial.
The persecution is just an outcome of the emotional need for dominance among the largest group. This is the context for the recent protests by Catholic youth groups against Tempo magazine’s cover parodying da Vinci’s ultima cena.
By intimidating an influential magazine’s editors, perhaps with court backing, they prove that they remain near the top of the hierarchy of fear, rather than down in the swamp with the deviant sects.
While their grievance may be genuine, appeasement of such protests is unhelpful.
Attacks perpetrated by religious groups against the weak and helpless are a symptom of the submissive-dominant complex outlined above. Conceeding that anger justifies censorship gives protesters an incentive to prove the force of their anger through violence.
And it reinforces their sense that idolatry confers strength. Their dependence on mindless submission increases, and with it the corresponding urge to oppress non-conformists.
It is better to remember that historic and controversial figures are not the property of any particular group. And not everyone idolizes a prophet.
Accepting censorship does not promote tolerance. It only legitimizes repression."
JOHN HARGREAVES
Jakarta
The Above has quite an impact in one's way of thinking especially if you r a Christian, to all of u who doesn't know what this guy is talking about remember that acouple of years ago and even last year there was a cartoon depiction of Mohammad the prophet of of the Islam Religion which ignited harsh comments from the moslem world... At that time me being a Christian thought that that was the worst way of handling this because these people actually did those kinds of things to ignite these kinds of reaction ....in fact they feed on it.... especially if the press got a wind of this....
and I thought to myself that (rather arrogantly perhaps) 'We Christians wouldn't have been baited like that too easily".... and boy I was naive aren't I....... turns out just a couple of months ago a spoof of Da Vinci's interpretation of The Last Supper was published and strangely enough some people seems to have been troubled by this .... my jaw almost dropped to the ground.......
although it wasn't as big of a commotion as it was with our counter-part community and seemingly to be isolated here in Indonesia and a small commune back in the States it still is bewildering to me how this kind of thing would even be imaginable........
First of All, I believe the spoof was mostly aimed at the painting rather than the occassion itself...
Secondly, to explain my naivete' why I did thought that we As Christians and I specifically a Catholic wouldn't be so fickle minded to take the bait, is that the Core of Christianity, specifically of the Catholicism school of thought is that we measure the experience & Suffering that Jesus had to endure before being cricified is what have freed and saved us... now if Jesus Christ Our Lord didn't mind being presecuted and physically tortured like that do we as followers really think that He would throw a fit at a picture of Him being replaced with a Dog Playing poker?? do we as His disciples really think that he would be that shallow??
Well again it is up to you to make up your mind and comment to me this is a cosmestic issue compared to my previous post that is a real threat to our right to commune and pray.....
more ever if we expect to be free build churches and believe in our beliefs we have to respect other free men who are free to express their way of thinking.....
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Churches Being Raided Follow Up
A follow up on the previous blog......
I am not angry or mad per say.......
it's just that I'm frustrated to see that this kind of religious presecution and oppression still exist
The thing is that we have the right to commune and pray in our beliefs.........
at this age this kinds of segregationist tendency is unacceptable..........
and it is great invasion on our beliefs............
Imagine if the tables were turned, If these people who raided those churches were the ones being raided upon...
I am sure they will retaliate with much more fury than what we have seen........
that's why I'm polling on what kinds of reaction should we have against this kind of oppression.........
Please comment and post your votes on the polling below.......
I am not angry or mad per say.......
it's just that I'm frustrated to see that this kind of religious presecution and oppression still exist
The thing is that we have the right to commune and pray in our beliefs.........
at this age this kinds of segregationist tendency is unacceptable..........
and it is great invasion on our beliefs............
Imagine if the tables were turned, If these people who raided those churches were the ones being raided upon...
I am sure they will retaliate with much more fury than what we have seen........
that's why I'm polling on what kinds of reaction should we have against this kind of oppression.........
Please comment and post your votes on the polling below.......
Monday, March 10, 2008
Churches being Raided
Today I was surprised......
coz I read in The Jakarta Post that churches are being raided........
by civilians.......
they say that they are not bias against the religion and their practices just that they are misusing their the usage of the place where they are holding those masses......
I was going like haaahhhh!!!! that can't be right.....
at this day and age people are still bothered by that kind of things???
wow.... I went almost crazy today......... thinking about this.....
whatz worse is that they seem not to respect other people's right to commune and pray.....??
is this right ?? especially during this age and year??
I couldn't fathom that here in Indonesia it has come to this........
Just a few months ago we were at loggerheads with the Malaysian over certain things but it seems that we are trying to emulate their reign here??
isn't this crazy??
well this notion that makes me sick beyond repair is what brought me to write this opinionated blog.....
is ist really time for those whose religion are oppressed to rise up and start rebelling?? because if this goes on I do Believe that this will happen......
Is it time for those regions in which the majority religion aren't the National's majority to separate themselves from Indonesia?? I absolutely don't know ?? I used to think that we can avoid this..... but if this escalades I truly think that those regions might have a case.....
If Religious freedom is for all religion I truly believe that it should be the same whether they're the majority or not........
please let me know what You think.... I welcome alively debate on the above issues
coz I read in The Jakarta Post that churches are being raided........
by civilians.......
they say that they are not bias against the religion and their practices just that they are misusing their the usage of the place where they are holding those masses......
I was going like haaahhhh!!!! that can't be right.....
at this day and age people are still bothered by that kind of things???
wow.... I went almost crazy today......... thinking about this.....
whatz worse is that they seem not to respect other people's right to commune and pray.....??
is this right ?? especially during this age and year??
I couldn't fathom that here in Indonesia it has come to this........
Just a few months ago we were at loggerheads with the Malaysian over certain things but it seems that we are trying to emulate their reign here??
isn't this crazy??
well this notion that makes me sick beyond repair is what brought me to write this opinionated blog.....
is ist really time for those whose religion are oppressed to rise up and start rebelling?? because if this goes on I do Believe that this will happen......
Is it time for those regions in which the majority religion aren't the National's majority to separate themselves from Indonesia?? I absolutely don't know ?? I used to think that we can avoid this..... but if this escalades I truly think that those regions might have a case.....
If Religious freedom is for all religion I truly believe that it should be the same whether they're the majority or not........
please let me know what You think.... I welcome alively debate on the above issues
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