YOURSAY 'God only helps those who help themselves. So we must help ourselves by bringing about change. Bishop Tan, show us leadership.'

Christians urged to rejoice in hope amid adversity

David Dass: There are groups that are determined to structure a society where one race and one religion is dominant. They have convinced themselves that this is the way to save the religion, race and country.

And now they want to convince the rest of the Malays of the threats that face them - first the Chinese threat and now the Christian threat.

In pursuing this course - and unchecked by the government - legitimacy is given to right-wing groups with dangerous fantasies that can destroy this nation.

There is already significant damage. There is the brain drain and there is the outflow of funds. Singapore and Australia build their economies on the backs of our people who seek a better life there.

Foreign and private investment will be affected and this country will bit by bit change - not for the better but for the worse.

There are those who believe that the Chinese and Indians were forced on them by the British and if they leave, then good riddance to them. This is foolish thinking. Our leaders should speak up.

Malaysiasakit: Troubling times indeed because Umno is bent on using Christians as the bogeyman. With PAS working well with DAP to woo the support of Malays/Muslims, Umno had to deploy a multi-pronged strategy to frighten the Malays back to its fold.

They go around telling the Malay folk that DAP will one day form the government and turn Malaysia into a Christian country. They then take this strategy one step further by saying that Christians are converting Malays.

They ‘hire' thugs to deface/burn churches in hope of eliciting violent responses from Christians but little did Umno know - the Christians just refused to retaliate.

Umno will continue to provoke Christians until they win the hearts and minds of the Malays. The Christians are like meat in the sandwich.

Trumpet Call: Yes, where there is violence, we sow peace. Where there is bitterness, we sow forgiveness. Where there is hatred and suspicion, we sow love.

That's the message of Christmas and the reason why Jesus Christ came. May Malaysia and all its races continue to live in peace and harmony. We must not only tolerate each other, we must celebrate each other.

KJ John: Thanks Bishop Paul Tan for a clear and unequivocal statement. Was is not St Francis of Assisi who said, 'preach the gospel always, but when necessary use words'.

Open Minded: A well-spirited message but what is urgently needed in this troubled world is tolerance and better understanding among the human race.

There is a tendency to exert supremacy over others, be it in politics or religion. This is going to lead to the eventual self-destruction of the human race.

Kee Thuan Chye: Bishop Tan, come right out and tell the Catholic flock - nay, all Christians, nay, nay, all Malaysians - that if the system is flawed, it must be reformed, not tolerated with prayer and hope.

In these - as you put it - troubling times for the country, you have to take a stand. You have to provide leadership. Come right out and say we need to change the system and the people who manage it.

For God only helps those who help themselves. So we must help ourselves by bringing about change. Bishop Tan, show us leadership. Show us Catholic chutzpah.

Artchan: Until the Catholic bishop comes out clearly, and asks his followers to vote out the corrupt and the extremist, it will be a futile hope.

Remind the voters that it is sinful and against God's will to allow these people to rule. Hoping and praying for change is not possible unless you cast the votes to throw them out.

And so far, I do not hear the call, except the timidity of praying for divine intervention. Just do it, make the call. Some of your followers need to hear you.

Disbeliever: Dear Bishop, we look up to you as a man of God, though I believe some among us are getting impatient with the government's alleged ‘persecution' of Catholics.

My dear people, please understand the bishop; I'm sure you can read the subtle message contained in his Christmas message addressed to all Catholics and even the population at large.

We must practise tolerance, understanding and be forgiving to those who hurt us: that is the message of Christmas, just as Jesus was born to redeem us. Whatever it is, we shall still stand for our rights and vote for change when the time comes.

What A Bloke: Thank you, bishop, for this inspiring message. You have actually spoken to those who really want to hear - that we must change and rid ourselves of the powers which seek to destroy this nation by giving us discords instead of unity, sheer love of money and unbridled corruption instead of transparency, absolute power instead of shared responsibility, apartheid instead of mutual respect, vulgarities instead of calming love, and a government that has not an iota of principles.

Christians should wake up from this slumber and let their voices trumpet in unison.

Shanandoah: The racists, the corrupt, the murderers and all scoundrels fear the prayers of the faithful. That's the bishop's simple message.

Try it and mountains will be moved. Umno is living in fear, for its days are numbered.

The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. Over the past one year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now .