As a Christian, I urge the Catholic Church to drop the use of "Allah" even though you have every right to do so. Why? It is because Christianity teaches us to be kind, to be forgiving, to compromise, and to turn the other cheek. Turning the other cheek does not mean you are weak or a coward. While the extremists try to oppress using violence to destroy people and country, as Christians, we should show otherwise. We show that we are willing to compromise, turn the other cheek for peace and harmony. The will think they have won. Indeed, they have won but on earth. To their Maker they will be answerable. The whole world is watching them and us too. Let us shine for the Lord with our actions of forgiving and compromising.
My family and I were non-Christians. Without anyone trying to convert us, we chose to find out more about Christianity and we converted because of the teachings of love, forgiveness, kindness, others first, yourself last and all the unselfish teachings. We were impressed and still impressed today that despite all the violent acts against us, our Church leaders and Pastors still ask us to forgive in our prayers those who hurt us. Never once, were we taught to retaliate or curse others. By their actions, we converted whole heartedly.
Every religion will preach they are good but actions will speak louder than words. People judge us by our actions. Violence, spewing words of hatred and curses, oppressing others, will only bring a bad name to our God and religion. Let them do it, we do not have to follow. So, as a Christian, my plea unto the Catholic Church, drop the use of "Allah" and the whole world will see Christianity is good.
The only thing that you should ask for from the Government is that they compensate the Church for the confiscation of all the Bibles and other materials. Use this money to print new Malay language Bibles, minus the word "Allah". We have so many other words to use for the word "God". To be honest, as a Christian, I find it uncomfortable to refer to God as "Allah". I prefer "Father", "Lord", "Lord God", "Jehovah God" and so on.
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What happens if your father is told suddenly that he can't use the name he was born with because somebody else who has the same name as him doesn't want anybody else to use it and threatens him to change it or else!
To most well-meaning strangers to your father, some will say, "Just change it lah to avoid any trouble". To you and your family and close ones to your father, you would say "Dad, this is not fair and we'll try our best to stop this person from doing this."
And this is how far most are from this subject.
The minority bumiputera Catholics in East Mal communicate mostly in BM since even b4 M'sia was formed and God has always been Allah to them. And something is being taken away from them.
So the Herald which is HQ'rd here, prints in BM as well to suit the East Mal BM reader felt a duty both legally and spiritually to defend this right to their upmost.
But looks like ultimately, they will have to submit but at least from God's eyes, they fought the good fight.
God Bless and Peace as always.
I suppose BM is not your mother tongue that's why it doesn't matter to you! What would happen if the govt orders you not to call your Dad, 'Papa' (or whatever you call him!)? That's how the hundreds of thousand Christians who were born and bred calling God 'Allah' feel!
Would you also tell the Govt that it is non of their business what you call your Dad? That is exactly the situation!
but how can you use the word father in a Malay bible? Later people complain say why use Mat Salleh word. Jehovah is even worst. It is a hebrew word. Later get criticised for using Yahudi word to try to confuse muslims. Anyway, just my point of view. hope you're not offended. You should read more news about what this problem is about. Malaysia-today is a good start
dear maggie, in the Iban dialect, we refer to God as Allah, too. Just how are you going to change the Iban language?
Wah lau. luckily there is no comment because people just would not want to belittle you. You are taking the "turning your cheek" literary. Please do not be poius until you see nothing but a blank wall. This is just the beginning of the political assault. when they start demolishing your place of worship or forbid you to congregate to worship and you will still say its okay, lets go underground. Please be realistic and face the problem squarely. Pray and act. God will be your shield and armour.
ur right maam, Allah does not refer to the Creator in the Bible. When Moses asked God abt His name, God simply said I Am Who I Am (Eheyeh asher Eheyeh) or simply as Yahweh. Allah is the God of Islam Not Christianity. Please be clear on this. Whether u agree or not, at least let God Himself take action on those who prosecute us. Christ Above All. Amen
Dear Aramsa, It is okay if anyone here belittles me. Once upon a time, when I first became a Christian, I used to want to fight or win in things I believed it's right. I wanted to keep my old ways. My father, who is a born-again Christian told me to turn the other cheek. Boy, was it hard and I reasoned with my human reasoning that why should I when I am right. They will think that I am weak and continue to step all over me, I said. My father said, you have to learn to be humble as Christ has taught us to be and to give in even though you are right to save a situation, you will be blessed by God. And because you have shown a good example, others around you will see that your God is a good God. It was very hard for me to learn to accept that but in the end I agreed and learned to practice it. Sometimes, I fail along the way because my human nature and understanding gets in the way and I paid the price. I wish I had turned the other cheek.
Let me share this wonderful song I learned in Church when I first became a Christian.
I will share a beautiful song I learned in Church when I first became a Christian later tonight.
When I said we can always called our God, Father and so on, I meant it in Bahasa. I didn't know that I have to spell it out so clear for some of you to understand. Now, let me clarify. We can call our God, "Bapa", "Tuhan", "Yesus" and so on.
For those who think I do not follow the news or anything, don't get it wrong. I follow the news, blogs, etc everyday. My heard bleeds for what is happening in our country. I pay subscription to subscribe to the online news. I support the causes to make our country a better place. I went to the candle vigils and to Kamunting when RPK was there. Were you there or in your home grumbling in the safety of your home?
MagM said "Now, let me clarify. We can call our God, "Bapa", "Tuhan", "Yesus" and so on."
Dear MagM, do you know what is a TRANSLATION ? 'Bapa' is NOT the translation for God, neither is 'Tuhan' or 'Yesus' ! Please go brush up your translation skills before talking!
Do you know that the REAL issue here is NOT the word 'Allah' but whether one religion has the right to impose its will on another religion. The Constitution allows freedom of religion to practice one's own religion. There the order by the Home Ministry is ultra-virus the Constitution. period.
Dear jstom98
Don't we Christians use the word "Father", "God" and "Jesus" when we pray? I know all my Christian friends do including me. Isn't "Bapa" the translation for "Father"? Then what is the meaning of the word "Tuhan" I remember singing in Church as song with the word "Tuhan" and not "Allah". So, is my Church teaching me the wrong thing?
I also understand very well what this is all about. They are wrong not to let the Christian use the word but as I have said in my post, giving in does not mean we are weak. Sometimes, humility and compromise will help bring peace and respect from others. They will see that we practice what we preach - humble, sacrifice, peace, love and so on.
And don't come and tell me that I am trying to be pious coz I am not.
Do you think that it will bring great benefit to all Malaysians if we behave as stubborn as them? Do you like to see your country destroyed? Do you like to see your children suffer? If you do, by all means, go fight and then you will see the end result.
This is the song I learned in Church and I want to share with all Christians who feel we must fight no matter what. Are you sure this is what God wants us to do?
http://malgal128.blogspot.com/2010/01/thank-you-lord.html
I find it all rather bewildering that some Malaysian Muslims seem to practice a very different Islam to the vast majority of the rest of the Muslim world. Even in Indonesia there seems to be no issue at all with the use of the word "Allah" in Christian churches. Same is true through the Arab world and has been for more than a millenia.
That said, I think that MagM here is behaving like a very true Christian and deserves our thanks and praise for showing how a good Christian should behave. JSTom98 would do well to take a lesson from MagM. Also seems to me that MagM's transation skills are just fine. We refer to God as Father (= Bapa in BM), as God (= Tuhan in BM) and of course to our Lord Jesus (= Yesus....or Isa).
Well done MagM, keep it up!
(Refering to your profile)
What a nice dream of yours :) and I share the same. It's tantamount to having a Heaven on Earth, where people of all races don't need to struggle for their livelihood anymore.
Our prophet Muhammad pbuh said, " ..Give charity before comes such a time when people don't it anymore "
Of course such a perfect world can only be materialized through people that cannot make mistakes, who speak not of their own; such as messengers, prophets and saints who receive revelations and guidance from God.
And definitely towards materilizing this dream, we can start taking a small step within our capacity by helping others who are in need.
Dear MagM, I guess you haven't been to Sabah or Sarawak or Indonesia? If you had, you will know that the Malay language is bigger than what our 'Apple Muslims' would have you believe.It is the lingua franca of South East Asia. Like any language, the Malay language derives most of its words from the countries around including Sanskrit from India and for religious terms from the Arabic language.
A translation is not a suka hati affair. A translator must be accurate It is the USERS who decide what word is used. A translator simply RECOGNISES THE USE of the word in general practice. It is NOT decided by politicians! Political translations only will last as long as the political party is in power!
I suggest you read a well balanced article by Maria Zain at
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