Satisfying indulgences in a pandemic

The industries that are hit the worst during a pandemic are those who function to satisfy humans' indulgences. You can identify them pretty easily. From leisure air travels, to night clubs, to some dine-in restaurants, to recreational activities. They are most impacted at a time when humans have to exercise restrain.

In turn, the pandemic exposes us of our greed, all the things that we like to do are not the things that we necessarily cannot live without. How do I know? Well, you are still alive despite not doing a lot of the things you used to do before the pandemic, aren't you?

Social Injustice and Inequality

To add on to my post Re: systemic racism. Even if the system is created to be non-racial biased, injustice and inequality exist in this nation state that pledges to "build a democratic society, based on justice and equality".

It is not the system, however, that brought injustice and inequality to us. It is the people's prejudice and biases that is ingrained in our psyche that we still see the world we live in as a jungle of 'us versus them'. It is exactly what Hobbesian social contract theory describes about human nature (solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short) and how social contract develops from anarchy to democracy or communism or others.

We all agree to an invisible social contract to live in a democratic society but our human nature never really changed. We are still selfish and self-important. We still see the world through the lenses of our self-righteousness. And we still hold on to the unspoken belief that this is a dog-eat-dog world and it is the survival of the fittest.

A roman addage goes "homo homini lupes", or "man is a wolf to man". Which, despite our best efforts, is still true to varying extents. And in turn it leads to injustice and inequality because we all did what is right in our own eyes.

Racial biases and inequality exist. So do social biases and inequality. Simply because Hobbes was right about human nature. We see each other different and we think/believe there's a need to self-protect.

THIS is why racism is still a problem and why different people of different social standing get different punishment for a similar crime.

So I reiterate, we shouldn't be pointing at the Government to shoulder the blame for "systemic" injustice and inequality. We are all to blame for all the social injustice and inequality that exist in this jungle of civilisation. That the blood is on all of our hands when the poor or the minorities suffer.

Systemic Racism in Singapore

All them talks about systemic (or institutionalised) racism in Singapore. Here's my two cents.

Let me quote one of my favourite spitter in hip hop, Royce da 5'9" in his song 'You Gon Learn' with Eminem -- "Segregation is bein' told where I'm gonna go. Separation is bein' woke and goin' wherever I wanna go"

First of all, I'm chinese so please take what I say with a snowball of salt. But I don't think there is systemic racism in Singapore nor do chinese in Singapore enjoy some form "chinese privilege".

In Singapore, everyone is free to be what they want to be and choose where they want to go. There is no segregation in public schools nor do the Govt force a certain race to go certain places or do certain things. Many of us merely choose to be separated in terms of our immediate communities and the people we hang out with. But is there enmity between the racial groups? I really don't believe there is. (Though undoubtedly, candid racism is still a thing)

No one is stopping malays, indians, or chinese to continue education beyond secondary school. We choose what to do after 'N' and/or 'O' levels. Go ITE, Poly, or JC and beyond rests ultimately in our hands and if someone, regardless of race, stop education at any point, is not caused by systemic discrimination but personal choice. And no, I won't and don't judge anyone for making any choice and I would wish them all the best in life and wouldn't tell them to do otherwise.

But you might say "how come we so rarely see malays or indians admitted in local universities?" And I would answer this question with a question: what stopped them? Truth is, and I believe many malays and indians would agree, many of them were not motivated to go beyond poly or ITE studies. A poly diploma or ITE cert is sufficient for someone to start earning an income and it really depends on how individuals weigh the benefits of further studies.

It is definitely not to say that they are stupid or what because an average malay or indian is equally capable and intelligent as an average chinese. So at the end of the day, it is not the system that failed them but individuals have their own freedom to carve up their future. And who we to say they were wrong or stupid?

You might also question the disproportionate distribution of HDB allocation to the various races but I would question the "disproportion-ness" you spoke about. Because every HDB has a quota for each race, it applies to chinese as well but the proportion is dependent on the national proportion of the races, nothing to do with segregation. If our housing system has segregation, we'll see clusters of flats occupied by each race in each cluster. But that is never the case.

Healthcare, right to own property, employment and other citizen privileges are available to all races equally. Employment wages are dependent on our individual capabilities, not skin colour or family background. (Or else, I'd be doomed.) And therefore, I don't see any form of systemic advantage that I as a chinese have over my fellow citizens of other races. Even national service, all males of all races have to go through it.

So if you see injustice in the community, before you point finger at anyone, start by asking how you can help the people in need. Instead of saying divisive things that rouses anger and heightens tension, perhaps start by being more generous with your giving.

Democracy vs Theism

Now that I've voted, I have to break some news to you modern-day Christians. Democracy, on itself, is an anti-theistic system. It is a political system where the masses are believed to be soveriegn and have authoritative powers to decide the nation's governance. It disregards the soveriegnty of possible deities or gods where the ruling power rests solely on the people.

So, if you, a christian, cast a vote in an election, you have to ask yourself, are you sacrilegious in your exercise of democracy? Because the moment you put down a vote in political elections, you assumed sovereignty for yourself and not to God. Basically, you are doing what's right in your own eyes, deciding what's good or bad for yourself. (In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes. -- Judges 21:25 KJV)

This is the reason why Islamic nations/states generally opposes democracy as their political system and use Islamic principle as their code of governance. Because muslim leaders, in general, believe that sovereignty belongs only to Allah/God and they will object any attempt in shifting ruling power to the people.

Of course, christians and muslims are different in our beliefs. But then does it mean we are entrusted by God to hold such authority? In a parliamentary democracy, the code states that the parliamentary sovereignty is absolute and above all institutions. So, where is God in this system of governance?

It's a big ask to get you christians to come up with a resolution without compartmentalising secular politics with spiritual practice. But note, God is bringing us the kingdom of heaven, which is a political system, isn't it? So do you believe in absolute monarchy, where God is the only sovereign entity? Or do you believe in a separation of powers between Church and state? If it's the former, why did you participate in democracy? If it's the latter, how would you justify?

Re: Chee Soon Juan and Lim Tean

Politicians like Chee Soon Juan and Lim Tean LOOOOOOOOOVVVVVEEEE to use the same tactic where it lures favourable answers for their own political gains.

They will ask a lay citizen along the line of "do you know PAP Government want to do xxx to you and you will pay higher tax / lose all your hard earn money / struggle during your old age?" And when people ignorantly thought what they said is the full truth, they will, without any critically thinking through what was told, respond with negative perception of what the G is doing to them. They will say things that appears to be antagonising the G.

But in truth, it is CSJ and LT all along who make people think the G is evil by zooming into a very narrow framework to alter their thoughts and get the answers that they want from them.

However, their framework of questioning is so appalling, I'd facepalm myself each time I chanced upon a video of either of them. Because when they said "G is doing xxx", most the time the 'xxx' either is a half-truth or is totally untrue. And all the time they won't have a better solution nor have any constructive opinions towards the 'xxx' in question.

Stupidity aside, such opposition politicians are just atrocious.

Jesus vs Canaan

Matthew 15:22‭-‬28 (KJV) read "And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour."

(https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.15.22-28.KJV)

It does seem harsh that Jesus rejected the Canaanite woman and metaphorised her and Canaanites as dogs. However, if you read the old testament, you'd know that Canaan (the person which land of Canaan was derived from) was cursed because of his father Ham sinned by looking upon Noah's naked body. (See Genesis 9:20-27, cf. Leviticus 20:11)

Therefore it is safe to say the author deliberately framed it to show that Jesus was using this scenario to demonstrate God's mercy. Though Canaan and Canaanites were cursed (which explains Jesus's refusal and rejection with harsh words), their repentance and submission to God had softened God's heart to allow mercy to be upon them.

It'll be reading too much into the details to say Jesus was racist or Jesus was discriminating against Canaanites, etc. The whole story points to what God is trying to do through Jesus and His ministry -- to bring the Kingdom of God back to earth and reconcile with all God's people. This story in particular reminds us that the sins of our past had been carried forward indefinitely but God put a stop to it by making the ultimate atonement.

Half Truths

What's potentially more harmful than lies is half truths.

They can be framed to look and sound like truths but they do more harm than outright lies because they aren't fully or even mostly true. They can deceive by appearing true and covering the falsehood they entail. They can convince the naiveté by highlighting and stressing only the true parts.

People who use half truths to sell their ideas are manipulative and cunning. They will use their words to bend reality. They will point out to you that if parts of it are true, the whole thing would be true. They will actively avoid probes and questions about the gaps in information. They wilfully cover up parts that are present in those half-truths and would break their arguments. They will oversell their moral high-ground and tell you to believe and trust them because they know better and you don't.

This, unfortunately, is also how most Christian leaders look like.

Spiritual Gifts

I have not been exercising my top 4 spiritual gifts since the start of 2020. Here's why --

1. Knowledge: No one seems to appreciate a know-it-all in their group of friends. They will shrug off whatever I share as 'extra info' that doesn't necessitate their growth. It is as if knowing God is not important.

2. Teaching: I am willing to teach but no one is willing to learn (See point 1). I am able to teach people at their pace, regardless of age and level of understanding but it takes two to clap.

3. Prophecy: Look at me. No, seriously, take a good look at me. Would you think this is the face of someone you trust to reveal prophetic truths to you? I'm no pastor, I'm no leader, I'm not even water baptised.

4. Discernment: Seriously, after you read through the first three points and you still wonder why I can't exercise discernment? I only have one thing to say, if you are in a community where title supersedes competence, you really don't have much you can do.

Hypocrites and Racists

Most Singaporeans who posted about BLM are also the same group of xenophobic assholes who cannot tolerate foreigners in SG. They are all supportive about justice around the world but when it comes to building dorms for FW, they adopt the 'NIMBY' (not in my backyard) mentality.

On one hand they scream "Black Lives Matter", on the other hand FW are to them dirty, smelly, disgusting. Oh, they are also the same group who criticised G for packing FW into small dorm rooms across the island and demanded the G to build better facilities for them. And then when G says want to build at certain areas, NIMBY again.

In terms of social equality, we are definitely on better footing than the US. We are fortunate that systemic racism isn't big here (though not nonexistent). But candid racism still exists. Yea, chinese will say "it wasn't intend to hurt or harm; it was a joke; etc" but that's still racist. I frown upon my so-called friends when they outwardly say "yea, I very racist one" and be xenophobic towards foreigners.

I, of the majority race, cannot share experiences of candid racism hence I cannot tell you how hurtful such discrimination felt.

More important thing is, the FW don't want citizen rights. Most of them didn't want to stay here if not for the money they can send back home to feed their families. All they want is to be treated with dignity and respect. But many SGreans fail to even do that. And as they scream "Black Lives Matter", I think they are just bunch of hypocrites.

One Way Up

A reflection on either sides of Mount Faber. (Posted on FB on 10 May)

Before I go into my actual reflection, I must let non-cyclists know that as you cycle up, you can come to a stop and walk back down the road if you aren't fit enough to get to the top.

There are two sides to go up Mount Faber. The most common side is linked to Pender Road where you can also get to Henderson Wave. It is also the easier side. The other, harder side comes in from Kampong Bahru. Any seasoned cyclist would know this place very well.

Higher parts of both sides are one-way. If you are driving, you have to get to the top once you hit these parts. I went up a few times, alone or with a friend, and I always tell myself: I am committed to getting to the top, I must stick to getting it done.

Interestingly, the one-way signs are also a warning sign (for not-so-fit cyclists like me) where the steeper parts of each routes are approaching. All the more your resolve to get to the top plays crucial role.

It helps me reflect on my personal journey in life. Sometimes I gave up too early or I made a choice that I come to regret at a later time. It's as if God is telling me, each time as I push the pedal down to keep moving, "once you start ascending, you have to complete it no matter how hard it gets". Thankfully I'm fit enough to cycle up to the top without putting a foot down on the ground and stop at the side. But I can't say the same for my life thus far.

I've failed God so many times. He told me to be patient, I rushed to seek an outcome. He told me to hold on, I let go due to the hurt I was experiencing. He told me to stop, I decided to go. He told me no, I forced a 'yes'. It was why I struggled to be at peace with myself and my past. I couldn't forgive myself for all the failures in my life, I couldn't let go of the faults of my past.

It was only recently when God forced me at a one-way path -- do His will or never reach the top. I was enroute this same path a few years back but I turned back because I felt it was too steep to climb. Now God put me back to this route and I decided to commit to the journey. I don't know if I can make it but at least I am more at peace with myself than I ever was in the past few years. I can't see the end but I'm deep into the climb to give up now.

Now God asks me to be patient, so I'll wait. God asks me to hold on, so I'll try.

Black Lives Matter

The US BLM movement has generated so much hate amongst the two camps it just seem so shameful.

And I am thankful that I live in a country where all races are given more or less equal footing in areas of social justice and privileges.

But looking at the BLM movement itself, I do have some thoughts. All lives do matter. No one's life should be seen as insignificant. However, at a time where certain group of people are mistreated and oppressed, their lives deserve more attention than the rest. Because if we want to view all lives equally, we must first pay attention to those who are unjustly treated.

With that in mind, I do support the BLM movement all the way from Singapore. I just pray that no one gets hurt nor starts hurting others. Justice is not served through violence. Violence will only breed more violence. And you can't possibly create peace by injecting violence. The cycle of hate can only be stopped by love. Just as Jesus took the cross to end the power and curse of death, the matter of racism is a cycle that we can end by love, peace, and justice.

Jesus taught us to be righteous by being humble, by turning the other cheek, and by protecting the weak. That is how social justice and love should look like. That is how God's righteousness would look like. But until then, protests will take place. But I do pray that they be carried out peacefully, with love for each other and with grace for one another.

Reflections on Reflections

In the time of the Covid-19 pandemic, I can’t go out to do things, street photography especially. People with cameras have spent their time either shooting at-home photo ideas or shooting lightning storms. I didn’t do either because I am spending a lot of my time working from home, loathing at myself, and trying out other things I wouldn’t prioritise because I couldn’t be bothered.

One of which was learning basic piano playing with the help of a flexible keyboard. I’m stuck at playing basic 1-finger jamming chord pattern, anyway. However, I’m not posting my reflection of that experience now. I’m putting my perspective of my belief into words. Namely, theological and philosophical views. Here’s a simple and short one, posted on FB on 29 March:

"COVID-19 exposes us of our lack of control in our lives" -- Tim Mackie, Bible Project. Indeed, we have no control of how things happen in our lives. Things happen regardless of our actions or inactions.

Of course there is a root cause of the pandemic but we cannot do anything to its effects. Cities are in lockdown, gatherings are reduced to almost none, global economy is drastically affected too.

And we Christians too have to face the reality that we cannot do as we please during this time. Like what God told Job, we will never understand why this pandemic happened. We are only here for the ride, we are not the driver, not even close.

Perhaps, as what Tim Mackie implied, this is a moment for us to really ponder and concede that we have no control in our lives and only God has the control. We need to submit unto God for Him to guide our actions and choices and not do what is right in our own eyes.