I was born and bred in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I don't recall a time where the color of my skin was a problem. We all speak the same language, English or Bahasa Melayu, fluently. We all have our mother tongues that we speak at home or dialects we speak with our friends. I don't recall a time where religion was a pain and we all respect each other's race and religion. It pains me to see where my country is going now.
I may have my head buried in the ground in the last few years where suddenly religion is a big thing and we no longer respect and tolerate other religion and beliefs. What made it worse was the fact that we are now instilling fear into those who are easily led. I never thought that I would one day read in the national newspaper that the biggest fear of this country is when a Muslim murtad. Seriously, what happened to the freedom to practise a religion of your choice? What happened to secularism? What happened to love thy neighbour as thy self?
As my work brings me all around this region and the world, I realized how Malaysians had deluded themselves. I may not be the most open and liberal Malaysian but I've seen how other races and religions behave and it is definitely not like how it was preached in the last few years in this country. I remember in my tweens period where I was trying to understand religions of the world, I attended church, temples and mosques. I had loved all the religion, their teachings, their beliefs and their faith. I had absolutely hated those that believe that they are the chosen one to deliver God's words. Some instil fear, some instil hatred, even worse, some instil the need to call for war against the disbelief.
I remember leaving those places of worship in disgust and never wanting to go back there again. Why do people feel the need to tell others that their religion is superior than others? Why can't we all co-exist in a world that tolerates religion but also respect other's for their choices and their beliefs? Why can't we just live and let live?
I specifically remember this incident in a church where the senior pastor called to condemn a gay bishop and how the church doesn't acknowledge gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender. He said that it was against the act of nature and we condemn all that engage in those activities. I could remember my blood boiling at that point for if I remember my Bible words correctly, we are not supposed to judge others. Others will face their Judgement Day on their own and answerable for how they lead their life. Until then, we are all equal sinners. In fact, Jesus Christ mixed around with prostitutes and gays as it was a way of life then. But how is it that one man felt the need to condemn and judge others in the House of God was beyond me.
Now, religion is thrust into the limelight by those who are supposed to govern a country. Instead of governing a country, they decided to be petty and govern what goes on in their countrymen's house! What right does a government, elected by people (mind you!), have to govern what I should belief and what I can or can't do? Where is our freedom? Where are the bygone, carefree days of my childhood? Where I can play with my friends, not realizing that they are malay, chinese or indian? And not bothered if we are Muslims, Christians, Hindus and Buddhist? Where is our tolerance? When has life gotten to be so serious and ridiculous at the same time?
