Moral Equivalency and 'defaced' Bibles.

"Parties concerned do not require the permission of Jesus, let alone that of the DAP or BSM, to ‘violate’ or ‘deface’ his bible." 


In 2007, Catholic Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, Murphy Pakiam, and former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Abdullah Badawi, expressed consternation over a disparaging image of Jesus Christ depicted in the Makkal Osai, a Tamil daily.

The Archbishop said "It (the image of Jesus) is very sacred to Catholics. As such, this caricature of Jesus is a desecration and therefore hurtful to the religious sentiments of the Catholics,” (New Straits Times – August 23rd 2007)

The former Prime Minister said "I am sure the Christians, as we Muslims, cannot accept this.” (New Straits Times – August 24th 2007) “Do not do things which may offend the believers of other religions. This is not good.” (The Star – August 24th 2007 and that “It was very hurtful and would anger the Christians just like the Muslims would not also accept such action.” (The Sun – August 24th 2007)

The Prime Minister and Archbishop took refuge in the well-worn concept of ‘Moral Equivalency’ amongst religions and its founders, even when the concept is found wanting, irrelevant and unnecessary, given the notion of meeting a reprehensible act with a retaliatory response equally reprehensible is comical in the ‘Jesus’ equation.

Yesterday the Democratic Action Party (DAP) blamed Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein for “violation” and “defacement” of the Malay-language bibles impounded by his ministry when The Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) was told that its shipment of the seized bibles has been stamped with his ministry’s official seal without the society’s permission.

In word and deed, Jesus is a hard act to follow. He asked followers to expect torment and disparagement in his name and in his most extreme deed on the cross, he asked them to pray for and embrace his tormentors with the same love they have for him.

To parties concerned - your fears are misplaced. Thankfully, the subject in question embodies the very love we have in our hearts, hence the notion of disparaging, defending or protecting him or his bible, is a non-issue.

It is safe to assume that true followers of Jesus would hardly be angry with those who torment and disparage him, let alone those who 'deface' his bible, but instead, they would embrace such tormentors with prayer and love. It is safe to assume that true followers of Jesus would be disappointed with those who express frustration and anger in his name.

Simply put, parties concerned do not require the permission of Jesus, let alone that of the DAP or BSM, to ‘violate’ or ‘deface’ his bible. 

Words, Videography, Action - Tommy Peters 


Afterword: The writer is a fan of Cat Stevens and made the video on March 19th 2011 while riding his bible in Kuala Lumpur, in response to the furor surrounding the 'seized' bicycles.

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