ALLAH

Assessing the Situation

Counting the Cost

The Allah Issue is a complicated issue.  It is not confined merely to the usage of this word (together with a long list of other words) by the Roman Catholic Church.  It is also related to the Bahasa Malaysia and Bahasa Indonesia Alkitab, as well as the Bible in the native languages which our OA churches (churches of our native people) are using.  In addition, the issue also concerns the confiscation of other materials which included CDs containing Christian worship songs.

There are churches and Christians who think that we should just simply stop using this word.  Others have even suggested that we should just use the word Yahweh instead.  With the recent judgment, some people feel that there is no point to continue to “fight” over the word.

GOOD & SOLID GROUND

Without going into the details, it is good to affirm and confirm here; that historically and socially, any judgments of upholding exclusive use of the word by Muslims only, while criminalizing others do not make any sense at all.  The use of the word Allah by Christians predates Islam.  Our East Malaysian Christian brothers and sisters have also been using this word years before Malaysia was formed.  It is nonsensical that Allah can be used in East Malaysia and not West Malaysia; or can be used by East Malaysians and not West Malaysians.

Constitutionally, such judgments also oppress the minority groups in Malaysia and violate our guaranteed rights and freedom.  Diabolically linked to this, are subversive attempts to deny that Malaysia is a secular state, but an Islamic one.

Theologically, Lord and God in our Bibles have been translated into Tuhan and Allah accordingly because this is needful.  We may not fully understand the theological implications here.  Nonetheless, there are enough clarifications from qualified Christian scholars on this matter.

The rulings to forbid non-Muslims from using the word Allah are also ridiculous because even countries in the Arab world had never done so.  In fact, there are Muslim scholars round the world who had scorned at Malaysia regarding such rulings.  Some of these have even asserted that the Koran has records that others were allowed to use this word.

Furthermore, it is quite apparent that the judgments and rulings against us are not only illogical and prejudiced, but also politically motivated.  Hence, we have good solid grounds to defend our rights, to challenge unfair and illogical judgments, and to uphold righteousness and justice in our nation.

SHARING GOD’S LOVE AND THE GOSPEL

One underlying point of contention at the heart of the Allah issue concerned allegations of trying to convert other people to Christianity.  On this count, we must affirm here that there is no doubt whatsoever that the Roman Catholic bulletins were meant for internal consumption, and not used as propaganda materials…  The Alkitab we import are also primarily meant for Christians, and not for mass circulation…  And, we are not broadcasting our BM worship songs with loud speakers in every neighborhood…

But yet from another perspective, I think we need to be truly honest…

Most religions explicitly or otherwise have intentions and agendas to propagate their respective religion.  The truth is that Christianity is no exception.  I think we could be (and should be) honest about this.  As Christians, we should not “subversively hide” the Gospel behind acts of kindness, but we will obey the Great Commission by sincerely sharing the love of God with all people.  We should not actively invite Muslims to come to our services and meetings, but we will not turn away anyone who may ask us to explain the good news of salvation.

While other religions may offer incentives and brides, connive and scheme, brainwash and threaten in order to get people to embrace their religions; Christians will not stoop so low to do these despicable deeds and bring dishonor to our Almighty God.

TURNING THE OTHER CHEEK

In the midst of the court cases, provocative actions and words; Christians and churches have responded very graciously.  We have called for forgiveness.  We have turned the other cheek.  And, we have done these not just once or twice.

In bending backwards, we note that those who are against us have not reciprocated accordingly.  It is quite clear that some have taken advantage of the situation to push us further against wall.  The attacks have not subsided.  Rather, the grips seem to be tightening.

What will be the consequences if we continue to turn our cheeks and give up our coats (Luke 6:29)?  What will happen if we quietly surrender our rights?  Will future historians hold the church’s graciousness in high esteem, or will they instead hold the Christians accountable for our cowardice?

In addition, will our graciousness really contribute positively to national harmony, religious tolerance, and a Malaysia which is more just and fair?  I am afraid not.

OBEYING GOD RATHER THAN MEN

So what should we do?  Consider this…

I think we have to prayerfully contemplate the options of obeying God, rather than men (Acts 5:29); and if needed, to be ready to say what Esther had said (Esther 4:16).  I think that civil disobedience is not just an option, but it could also be a command from the Lord.  And we need to keep in mind that this will not be a simple and easy matter.

First of all, we need to check our spirit, meaning our motives and rationales.  I believe that Christian civil disobedience must not be done out of retaliation and/or vengeance.  We must continue to love our enemies…  We must primarily be concerned with being obedient to God…  We must be ultimately championing justice and righteousness in our beloved nation…

So, what would our civil disobedience look like?  The early Christians and the first century Church did not comply with the laws of their times to hail Caesar as Lord.  In refusing to submit to their government then, they did this with careful discretions.  With this as our reference, I am convinced that Christian civil disobedience in our contexts here should not be about marches, protests or riots.  We should prayerfully ponder on the meaning of choosing to obey God, rather than men…  We should choose to obey God and continue to read our Bahasa Malaysia (BM) and Bahasa Indonesia (BI) Bibles… We should choose to obey God and continue to sing our BM and BI songs… We should choose to continue to bring in our needed BM and BI materials… We choose to continue to publish our materials like what we have been doing before…

Of course, we must still actively continue to explore and pursue all legal options available to us.  Every related case already in our courts must be handled properly and diligently.  As needed, we must be prepared to take legal actions, appeal and challenge bias decisions, actions and judgments, including cases that may arise from our civil disobedience.

COUNTING THE COST

If we are to consider civil disobedience, we should also consider the possible repercussions?  We should consult among ourselves how we could stand together…  We should count the cost and ask the Lord to prepare us to pay the price…

The possible actions against us from those in authority will include further confiscation of our materials, charging us in the courts, fines, and imprisonments…  Certain extremist NGOs will send us memorandums, demonstrate in front of our churches, and perhaps even burn effigies, related materials and Bibles…  Provocateurs may carry out even more nasty acts too…

How will these decisions and actions affect our nation, our churches and our people?  Will there be ugly social unrests?  Will there be intensified persecutions?  Will other minority groups criticize us?

These are difficult and scary questions, and we do not have all the answers.  I think we just need to do what the Lord would want us to do, to obey Him and walk each step by faith…

CONCLUSIONS

If we do go for civil disobedience, I think it is only right that we properly and officially notify the government of the day concerning our decisions.  This was the example set by Peter and the other Apostle (Acts 5:29).  But having said this, perhaps there is also the option of a quiet and undeclared civil disobedience; which surely will not go unnoticed.  Perhaps there is room for us to choose how could approach this.

Nonetheless, by openly stating our intention, Christians and churches will be saying that we are good and loyal citizen of Malaysia; and that our civil disobedience is actually an act of obedience to God.  We are also declaring that while we choose to disobey the law of the land, this defiance is not a lawless act.  We are prepared to submit to the stipulated punishment thereof (notwithstanding the fact that we hold these as unjust), and we will seek recourse accordingly.

This will be a testimony we can make for our Lord; and I believe in retrospect, history will judge us well (both church history and secular history).  May the Lord God, whom some of our very own Christian brothers and sisters know and call upon as Allah, help us all…

IMPORTANT NOTES:

If this article has helped and blessed you, or if you think this article will help and bless someone; please feel free to forward it or used it in any way that would bring glory to God.  If appropriate, please acknowledge the source when quoting this material.  Jason Fong also welcomes your thoughts and comments for mutually edifying interactions.

Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this article may not necessarily reflect those of the Christian organization Jason works in, nor the church or denomination he belongs to.