Anime: To or Not to?

Wow, it certainly has been a while since I wrote anything here. Being somewhat preoccupied, I have not written here for months, even spilling into a new year – but I have not abandoned this blog just yet, and do no plan to anytime soon.

Awhile back while writing the material for my next post, I discovered this article (http://www.beneaththetangles.com/can-christians-watch-anime/) and thought I should address this question first, which I have been putting off for quite a while. If anyone stops by to read this, recommend to go through the above article before reading on. Note: this post will assume one is familiar with basic anime terms, or else just google them out if need be. While specifically mentioning anime (which generally calls to mind Japanese animated cartoons), I also refer this to related media such as manga, games and visual novels. Also, it may be prudent to have the Bible on hand, since I may be referencing much of Scripture without quoting it here. Lastly, this muse of mine is quite long, and I intend to further explore this subject in the near future.

Let me start with the basic question: is it OK to watch anime? I have mentioned in my previous post how some people are morally/religiously critical of such media. In a way, just as I browse through Beneath the Tangles every now and then to perhaps acquire new insight regarding faith and anime, these people may have viewed this type of entertainment from the other side of the fence. While I do not intend to be too critical of their stance, I would say that consuming such material is hardly any different from, say, other forms of cartoons, video/PC/phone games, or even literature. No matter where you turn, all forms of entertainment have two different sides on a coin. I think it is a bit ludicrous to label any activity/interest on a whole as unacceptable for partaking.

Should I have given up ninjutsu because the art is potentially lethal? But it sharpened my mind and discipline, and could be useful in dangerous situations. Should I have stopped freeriding because it may encourage reckless cycling in my neighbourhood? It helped foster relationships within the neighbourhood while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Should I cease listening to metal because they are “music of devil”? Allow me to introduce just two songs: All Consuming Fire by War of Ages and Redemption by August Burns Red.

In regards to personal tolerance to the genre, the above linked post has already discussed to some extent about it. But in my region anime makes up the hobby of a significant portion of the youths’ today. If one intends to reach out to this group, the person should at least be aware of this before making any preconceived comments.

For the majority of people, I believe that watching anime is not really an issue. Thus I will now proceed to narrow down my question.

Is it fine to watch questionable anime?

When I use the term questionable anime, I define it as anime which commonly include elements of ecchi, violence or other controversial themes, yet are somewhat acceptable for mainstream screening, and not clearly distinguished into the R18 category. Examples in this group are Highschool of the Dead, Akame ga Kill! and Haganai.

Many of the more conservative Christians will likely flat out say it is wrong and avoid such media, while those with a more liberal mindset will probably allow it as a form of entertainment.

It is perhaps most valuable to acquire insights from Christians who enjoy anime-related materials. For TWWK, the main issue is “Will God be pleased with me if I watch anime?” Thus one should direct the question at themselves when encountering this problem.

While valuable as a preliminary yardstick, our conscience may at times fail us, since we are all imperfect, having sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Furthermore, this may not be too useful for those, especially newcomers to the genre and topic, who seek and need a more direct answer.

How can this be a problem? Say for instance a person X (non-religious) introduced his friend Y (a practicing Christian) to his first anime series, which is an ecchi. Y only found out later on after watching it, but he also found the show to his liking. 

What then, should be his appropriate response? Should Y staunchly reject all future episodes, seeing that it depicts/promotes questionable values? Or is it fine to continue the series, knowing it is not real? Either way, choosing one basically means that he supports the decision and encourages others, whether directly or indirectly, to do so as well.

First, let us look at it from a biblical perspective. From the Old right up to the New Testament, we are commanded to stay from all forms of violence and immorality. Deuteronomy 5:21, Psalm 101:3-4, Isaiah 33:15-16, Daniel 13, Matthew 5:27-28, Mark 7:21-22, Romans 1:21-32, Galatians 5:19-21 and Titus 3:3-9 are some passages that can more-or-less be adopted to fit this category in today’s world.

By just browsing through these excerpts, it seems obvious that the we should reject such questionable material. But is it just that simple?

As mentioned previously, anime makes up quite interest of quite a portion of people from where I am from. There is a chance one may encounter a person who is into questionable material. Like it or not the world does not revolve around one person’s ideals. Enter an anime convention and one will most definitely encounter material with themes that run contrary to Christian virtues. Make a pilgrimage to the holy land of otaku (Akiba) and it will be many times more glaring.

Another issue is our interactions with those who enjoy such genres – or the social perspective. How are we to go about dealing with such people? Are we just going to flat out say it is wrong and quote a multitude of reasons why we should stay away from it? In today’s world which advocates individuality and freedom of speech, such action will likely have the opposite effect. A blunt attempt to impose our convictions or correct a person’s viewpoint tends to impulsively trigger defiance on the side of the recipient. “I like what I like; what’s it got to do with you?” Such comments are some of the politer renditions I have seen and heard.

There are two, perhaps starkly different answers I would give, depending on the group I am addressing to.

The first address is to the common majority, especially to newcomers in the early process of forming their faith. To this group, I would recommend to stay away and abstain from the earlier defined questionable anime.

Drawing from my own experience as well as observing others around me, the early stages of a believer is the most delicate, as it is at this period when they are most impressionable. Often, those who have recently dedicated themselves to the Lord are passionate and enthusiastic about living out their faith. However, their foundation has not yet been firmly established; they are, as the writer of Hebrews would have put it, still infants reliant on milk (Hebrews 5:13). It is at this period a person is most easily influenced/affected by the people and material he/she consumes.

With a conscience that is still moulding, one may also resort to emulate certain examples, stick to a set of principles, or categorise things in black and white in order to find his/her footing. As I was brought up in a Catholic environment and had some knowledge in her teachings, during the early days when I started to take my faith more seriously, my stance often made me question the way the Church handles her affairs. For instance, I used to desire the Mass to be more animated, charismatic and emotionally engaging, complete with contemporary music that appeals to the youths, who are the future torchbearers of the Church. Also, what is it with all the rules and regulations the Catholic Church set out – the Days of Obligation, no meat on Fridays, etc? This was to an extent influenced by the charismatic camps and multi-denominational Christian Fellowship I attended back in high school. While they certainly help play a part in building my faith, without proper guidance and an appreciable amount of time of contemplation, I would probably have continued in my flawed mindset.

It is not just me however. When an acquaintance of mine first converted to Christianity, she often posted messages on rapture, and even a few that vilified Catholics. It got to the point where people started to harshly reprimand her antics. Even I must admit I got quite upset with her behaviour, her incessant posts/messages, and her flippant replies when I attempted to correct her misconceptions.

Then there is another on the other end of the spectrum, who, being heavily influenced by the traditional rite stopped participating in the Catholic group in university, ceased attending Masses in Novus Ordo (opting a 2+ hour drive back to his hometown every weekend to celebrate the Tridentine Mass), and even mocking (yes, mocking, not just criticising) the Ordinary Latin form.

While the three examples given can be related to shortcomings/misconceptions that need to be corrected and overcome, there is no question that fondling a person’s private parts, mounting heads on spears, and dirty talk are things we should not be doing. By extension, is it not appropriate and commendable that we eschew from such materials, even if they are fictional? This is even more so if we are easily influenced, or trying to find our feet in the faith.

I must stress again I am not suggesting a blanket refrain on all forms of anime. There are other more agreeable shows that could arguably be more engaging – Angel Beats!, Kimi No Na Wa, and a host of titles by Studio Ghibli just to name a few. One does not need to engage in the more controversial series to enjoy anime as a whole. In fact, many – particularly ecchi – rely on fanservice to compensate for the lack of good design or plot. That is one of the reasons why I find most in this vein to be unremarkable/unmemorable to me. A bit of research and one can generally stay clear of the more questionable types. And, even if we indulge in more family-friendly anime, this still gives us ample opportunity to connect with the majority of other anime fans.

Now, although I have mused much on this throughout this post, it is important to keep in mind that the world does not revolve solely around anime. I have personally met a guy who gave up a stable job and staked his life in pursuing his otaku interest, yet approximately half of our hours-long conversation had nothing to do with anime. This goes to show that one can still build a meaningful relationship even outside of anime (although it will certainly help!).

So to sum it up again. To the majority of Christians, I would advise to stay away from questionable anime that heavily focus on ecchi, violence and controversial themes.

My second address is to the niche, more mature Christians who have been called to be witnesses to the anime otakudom. To this group, I would cautiously approve their decision to continue down this line.

Now wait a second. Does that mean I am a two-faced hypocrite? What of all the Bible verses quoted, and the above long-winded exposition against it to boot?

I would like to bring up a passage which I left out until now. Taken from 1 Corinthians 8, St Paul spent the entire chapter discussing on food that has been sacrificed to idols. First, he explains that all things, even the food offered to idols, come from God. Next, he goes on to state that not everyone can comprehend this. Finally, he warns that our actions should not become a stumbling block to other believers.

If we take the passage above and substitute the ‘food’ with ‘questionable anime’, we find that our subject of discussion actually fits the bill quite snugly. Try putting this into practice, and we get something like the following:

Concerning questionable anime, we all possess knowledge. We know that such content is fictional and does not exist in real life. God made all things, through and whom we live for. But not everyone is able to grasp and understand this. Such material will not make us worse or better off if we consume it. But take care that your knowledge and liberty does not destroy your brothers and sisters whose conscience are weak.

Those who are firm in faith and grounded in knowledge are not likely to be affected by such scenes. After all, we can discern what is right and wrong, and, if we can look past those spots, we may be able to find great themes and stories beneath the murky sheet (eg: Berserk). Just as organic vegetables are often riddled with holes, at times we may discover a gem amidst morally provoking materials. The essence is that we are able to focus on its redeeming points rather than the faults.

Still, is it better not to engage in such material? Why flirt with sin (or lead others to sin) for a good story?

While not the majority (at least from where I am from), there are people who are obsessed with the outliers, perhaps to the point of even forgoing conventional anime. Take a friend of mine, B as a soft case in point. When you bring two people with an interest in a similar subject, you can naturally expect them to engage in that subject sooner or later. However, B paid exceptional attention on the ecchi clips, and often highlighted them whenever we discuss on anime. To him and other like-minded people, should I adopt a tough guy stance? I personally feel that I more or less made the right decision, merely highlighting I am not into fanservice, and focusing on other parts of the story. For those who are called to be witnesses in this niche, they must be able to handle the occasional, or even common, questionable material. Otherwise, it will be difficult to connect and stay on the same page as them.

So, for Christians who are matured and informed on their faith, and who are called to be witnesses in this area, I would support their decision on watching questionable anime.

For such a simple question, I definitely took more than a bit of musing – and in the end, there is not one direct blanket answer I can give. It really bores down to our disposition and maturity. Only God can peer through the depths of our hearts and desires to know if we are truly suited for such material and exposure. And ultimately, the only way to know this is to earnestly seek His guidance through prayer. Let this verse be my lamp post, and the guide for those struggling in and under such situations:

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything (in) the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

(Colossians 3:17)

RFG always.

Being a catholic Catholic

Every living being to some degree is biased in one way or another. Whether it is a preference of a type of food, an inclination towards certain subjects/ideologies, or a desire towards certain conditions, no one is completely free from prejudice. 

Depending on the issue at hand, being biased does not necessarily translate to being wrong. No one can justly condemn me for choosing fantasy genres over romance, just as I have no right to criticise a person for preferring social games against single player ones.

However, when we become too partial to our inclinations, we are in danger of closing ourselves to new ideas, thus limiting our horizons. It may not be extremely grave in some matters, but in our spiritual journey, when we put our interests and self-biased beliefs first, we will fail to recognise God’s glory and mercy to us and to those around us.

Take a look at attitudes of the Sadducees in Acts 4:1-22. Disgruntled at the Apostles for preaching a concept contrary to their beliefs, they had them arrested and questioned before the Sanhedrin. Even with sound evidence, they not only refused to accept it, but also attempted sweep the incident under the rug with warnings and threats, closing their eyes to the miracle performed.

There are times when I reflect upon myself, I see a person inflated by his knowledge and intellect, even when both these are severely lacking. Because of this, I often fail – or even refuse – to consider perspectives past my own skewed view.

With this in mind, I thought it prudent to evaluate my beliefs through this lens. My self-biasness stems from the knowledge and experience I gained throughout my (relatively short) life. Is the above not the same then, concerning my stance in Catholicism, Christianity and God Himself?

Short answer: Yes, but with reason.

To start: Am I self-biased in my belief in God? Yes. A large part is likely due to my family (even if they are non-practising Christians) and the environment I was brought up in. As a child I took whatever my family and Church said as true, and later in life I found answers that satisfied my questions pertaining the issue. Thus I never truly had a crisis where I doubted the existence of a benevolent omnipotent being governing the universe.

Am I self-biased in my belief in Christianity? Yes. Other than the reasons mentioned above, I find the love and mercy shown by the Christian God extremely appealing. Is there any other god(s) willing to die for his/her creation, comparable to an insignificant speck of dust in the vast universe? No other deity shows such overwhelming love for his/her creation as far as I know.

Am I self-biased in my belief in Catholicism? Yes, in addition to all the aforementioned, I find the arguments for the Catholic Church exceptionally convincing. But, as with everyone who testifies to have found their true calling in life, personal experience comes at the forefront (hint). These experiences can only be fully witnessed and testified by myself alone.

But is this not the same with the Sadducees in Acts 4? Were they not also committed to their beliefs and practices, inspired by their knowledge and experiences? Was not the Church similar as well, when it refused to consider/acknowledge certain scientific theories/truths?

While I cannot in full confidence speak for the people back then, I must ask myself: are all these self-biased beliefs govern by self-interest? Am I ultimately doing all this for myself? One thing for certain: that was what the Pharisees and teachers of the Law were condemned for (Luke 11:37-52).

My answer: yes and no. Yes, in that I am searching for love, fulfilment, success, comfort and at the end avoid the fires of Hell. Yet I also do this because I want to, just as one would go through much for his/her beloved, nevermind the inconveniences that comes with it, even if it brings no visible benefit to the giver. How much can mere 50 cents contribute towards the construction of the Church, compared to the thousands others are donating? How does buying gifts for others benefit me when they hardly remember me, or do not even know me or that it was me in the first place? Why spend hours praying when I am not in the mood, or feeling unproductive in my growth, when I can spend that time instead to focus on my work, entertainment or social life? A hedonist may contend that all my actions are ultimately contrived by myself for my own satisfaction and pleasure, but is that really the case? Why then, do I sometimes go out my way for people even when they do not bring me any benefit, whether materialistically or emotionally, in present or in future? Perhaps to satiate my conscience? I cannot say so as well: there are instances where I feel the person does not require my interference, either because I do not know him/her well enough to have my heartstrings tugged, or that God (I feel) would not mind since it is technically not a sin anyways. So I must conclude this self-bias is not fully done for self-interest.

Yet too much self-biasness will enclose a person in a shell, and they will fail to recognise that God works through other mediums as well, even though I stand by the faith that fullness is found in the Catholic Church. After all, He willed Himself to be found in all areas humanity and beyond can thread. For “…He made from one every nation of men…that they should seek God,” and that “He is not far from each of us” (Acts 17:26-28).

Some issues I encountered are admittedly quite ridiculous. I can still recall back when Pokemon was all a rage a local Catholic newspaper published an article cautioning the religious “problems” that may arise from the fad. One example I clearly remember was how the writer likened Bellsprout to Baal from the Bible. And incredibly I still find people from my Church posting similar posts on Facebook in recent years. Tell me anime and video games are tools of the devil; I would like to remind them Scripture was, and still is being used to steer God’s faithful away from Him (Matthew 4:5-6).

Balancing the traditions handed down while attempting to be progressive in today’s world can at times be akin to walking a tightrope. To believe the earth revolves around the sun would have condemned one to heresy several hundred years ago. Where do we draw the line? How do can we discern what is sacred and what is embellishment? What is fact and what is figurative? To be a catholic Catholic is much more complicated than it seems. The Church – whom God promises will not be overcome by the gates of Hell –, her core beliefs and the Bible should always remain as my foundation, but all of us will someday have to build our own houses from the materials we gathered in our lives. I pray that mine will be firmly established with those as my foundation, and guided by the Holy Spirit in the finer matters arising when erecting the walls.

RFG always.

Perseverance to the Pinnacle

Back in January this year, Byun Hyun-woo was awarded the 2016 Player of the Year by ESPN E-sports. As a “moderate” fan of the StarCraft 2 (SC2) scene (although moderate is relative to each person), this recently caught my attention, not just as a follower of the game but also the story behind it.

Byun Hyun-woo, better known by his in-game ID ‘ByuN’ has been a long time professional gamer since the early days of SC2. While unquestioningly a very skilled player, his name was not among the list of giants such as MC, Life or INnoVation. ByuN was a person people would give a nod to, but not someone you would expect to make it to the pinnacle. Simply put, he was good but never the best.

ByuN is a bit unique among the SC2 pro scene, yet probably more relatable to a typical nerdy avid gamer or otaku. Not only does he look the part, his history as a player also reflects this. While noted to play very well in online ladder (ranked) matches, he is prone to nervousness and occasionally fumbles during offline tournaments in front of crowds. His agitation is quite visibly noted especially when a situation does not play out well for him.

ByuN disappeared from the radar in 2014 and did not appear in major tournaments until late 2016. At the time when SC2 scene was suffering due to scandals, the economic slowdown, and a gradual decline in interest, ByuN re-emerged in the year’s second season of the Global StarCraft League (GSL), the top premier tournament in South Korea. Teamless and alone, all odds were against him, and most did not expect him to advance far into the tournament. Yet ByuN defied all expectations and went on to be the first teamless player to win this prestigious tournament. Later in the year, he would proceed to win the 2016 global World Championship Series (WCS), this time sponsored by Team Expert.

This man literally got his fairy tale, from being some person on the street to a shining ray in the turbulent SC2 scene. Had he failed then, ByuN would have quietly dropped off the SC2 scene, unremembered among the hundreds of players who had potential but never manage hit their break.

Sometimes we fall short of the goals we set upon ourselves. Perhaps we did not put in enough effort, we do not have the opportunity, or there is just simply someone more talented/passionate than us. Whatever the case, we have yet to hit the gold behind the wall of rock.

It is okay to fail. It is okay to cry, to feel depressed when we do. But never give up, never let it drag you down even when the world seem to be against you. No prize is worth winning unless we work hard for it. No real satisfaction is felt unless we put in effort to make it happen. ByuN made it to the peak alone in a room in front of his PC, but we have the backing of the greatest team comprising of angels, saints and God Himself.

“If God is for us, who is against us?”

(Romans 8:31)

RFG always.

Reference

Erzberger, T. (2017). Why Byun is the 2016 ESPN Esports Player of the Year. Retrieved from ESPN: http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/18445829/byun

Giants Asleep in Us

Every once in a while, I find myself marveling at the extent of power God has given to mankind. One such moment occurred as I was going through the daily missal on Thursday, the first week of Easter.

Since the beginning, God destined for man to be rulers of the earth and everything in it (Genesis 1:28). As we go by in our daily lives, we often take for granted this privilege we are given, perhaps even scoffing at the statement in our moments of despair and failure. Yet, as a reminder to himself as well as the generations to come, David left behind his reflection:

“What is man, that thou art mindful of him,

and the son of man that thou dost care for him?

Yet thou hast made him little less than God,

and dost crown him with glory and honour.

Thou hast given him dominion over the works of Thy hands;

thou hast put all things under his feet.”

(Psalm 8:4-6)

What we think or feel does not change the fact that humans have the potential to achieve a great deal in anything we put our minds into.

Even after the fall of Adam, God did not rescind this blessing, and mankind multiplied throughout the earth, conquering land, sea and arguably even the skies above. At times, I wonder if the Fall ultimately only served to benefit man, having now been endowed with the grace to be redeemed by His Only Son, and the opportunity to be called sons and daughters of the Most High through Jesus Christ. Indeed on the eve of Easter, Catholics throughout the world proclaim in the Exsultet:

“O happy fault, O necessary sin of Adam, which gained for us so great a Redeemer!”

To those who answered His call, God gave them authority over sin and death itself. In the past Adam and (later) Noah were blessed and commanded in Genesis to “be fruitful and multiply” throughout the Earth; today Christ blesses His Apostles with the Holy Spirit (John 20:22) and sends them to gather in the harvest into His Father’s barn (Luke 10:2). Being witnesses to His Death and Resurrection (Luke 24:35-48), they were granted great powers in His Name (Acts 3:11-26).

Yet in this generation, many – myself included – seem to have lost the fire of the first Apostles. Perhaps it is made harder today with the noise of the world, rat-race dog-eat-dog lifestyle, and how we are taught to think scientifically, rationally and sceptically – but hardly (if ever) spiritually. I sometimes wonder if it would have been easier if we were living in those times 2000 years ago, when life was less complicated, and events and experiences were still fresh in the minds of the people.

Or could it be, that deep down we are reluctant shoulder the burden that comes with the blessing? That we only seek to embrace the “Gospel of Life, Peace and Blessings” but not the “trials, sufferings and cross”, even when the two are one and the same? One cannot be without the other. One memorable quote for me came from the 2002 Spiderman movie, when Benjamin Parker said, “With great power comes great responsibility.” Awhile back B and I had a discussion, and he mentioned how he does not like to read negative depressing news, as it serves no purpose but to demotivate people. Ironically such material almost always ends up on the headlines even in Christian newspapers, as people seem to be naturally drawn to them like insects are to a streetlamp in the night. The bottom line, to quote B, is that “bad news sells”.

How many others, myself included, go about our lives as such, averting our eyes to things we rather not see and avoiding anything that rattles our comfort zone? To not rise, march and take hold of the glory which God destined for us? Rather, we settle for less, for what is “good” but not “very good” (Genesis 1:31) or “perfect” (Matthew 5:48). Occasionally we stumble across a situation that catches our eye, we complain, we gossip – but unless it drastically affects us, the majority will not step beyond that boundary.

No matter how great our ambitions, it can never compare to the grandeur God has for us. In the end, it all bores down to this: am I willing to sound the gong and awaken the giant within me? Unless we rediscover, appreciate and exercise the divine glory we are given, we will not be able to realise the full plan God has in store for us.

RFG always.

START: DASH

When I first discovered that my entire experiment failed due to equipment error, I could not feel much. I was already spent on emotions. I had already gone through the 4 stages of frustration: cursing, self-harm, crying and laughing throughout the course leading to this event. An entire year of preparation: planning, waiting, setup and sleepovers all gone down the drain because I was advised by the custodian to use an equipment that (unknowingly) had not been calibrated.

I rarely cry. The few instances that catch me shedding tears would either be when I feel supernaturally uplifted, or when I feel immensely burdened from studies/research. People often comment how stupid that girl/guy who committed suicide is, when all he/she received was a single B among the straight As in an exam. Going through a similar phase, I can somewhat empathise with them. The value each person places on an object differs for each individual, influenced by the amount of time that is invested in it. Unless the person experienced it, he/she will not understand, nor are they qualified to comment.

Days passed. As the weight and effects began to press in, I felt like I wanted to burst. But no tears will flow. Like a cup filled to the brim, I had already let fall all surface tears. Like a balloon filled with air but will not burst, no room to let it out.

Yet they remain, on the brink of eruption. A single crack, and the dam will burst. A pinprick and the container will explode.

That particular evening, I did not have the heart to pray. I did not have the heart to carry out what I regularly do, brooding over the time and effort that was washed down the drain. And the more I dwell on it, the more inclined I was to rage and complain at Him.

No mood for games either; those could literally darken the black if events did not turn out my way. Then on a whim I decided to continue with the last episode of Love Live Season 1.

I do not usually watch such anime. An all-girl cast, perpetual blushing characters and interpersonal female relationships – even if clean – make me cringe. Yet at that moment, the final minutes of the episode really pulled my heartstrings.  Being the first time viewing the episode made all the more impact. Recollecting the previous 12 episodes: their sadness at the future closing of their school, the desperation to find a way to keep it open, the perseverance in training, the opposition by higher ups using their methods, the preparations for the song, stage, costumes and promotion for their first concert – only to find it virtually empty.

I can imagine. The disappointment of not having even one seat filled the auditorium, the spark of light when a single audience showed up, the commitment in slowly building up relationships and skills, the momentum as they gradually gain recognition – and once again, everything comes crashing down at their removal from the rankings, and the sudden announcement of a member’s departure.

Success is such a delicate thing. Like a house of cards: so difficult to construct, yet so easy to fall apart. Watching a tower collapse, I would like nothing better than to tear through the main construct and be done with it. Or I can get up, pick up the pieces and trudge on. For, even in the last moment, there can be a turnaround. Miracles can happen. Kotori may return. Another chance may come. So I will not give up on hope. I will call out to Him.

This I believe. To this I hold on. Time to restart my µ's.

I say...

Hey, hey, hey, START: DASH!!

Hey, hey, hey, START: DASH!!

Even newborn birds

Will someday flutter into the sky

On their large, strong wings.

So, of course we can't give up,

Because that day will surely come for us.

You can feel it too, can't you?

The beating of a new beginning.

Tomorrow, change,

Change into what we hope for!

Change into that bright, unwavering light!

START!

That person, closed up in her sadness,

Always crying, that person isn't you.

With a burning heart, I'm sure you'll cut through it!

That person, closed up in her sadness,

Always crying, that person is boring.

I'm sure, (I'm sure) that with your power (with your dreams)

(right now), moving forward with that power,

I can believe in you... so START!

And once again, another dream is born...

That person, closed up in her sadness,

Always crying, that person isn't you.

With a burning heart, I'm sure you'll cut through it!

Grasping our happiness, moving forward,

With you and I, connected,

Of course we found our way back, after being lost.

Grasping our happiness,

With you and I, moving forward,

That is (That is) a distant piece of our dream,

But it's an important piece!

Look forward into the distance, I DASH!

Hey, hey, hey, START: DASH!!

Hey, hey, hey, START: DASH!!

– µ's, START:DASH, abridged (English translation)

Hotpot ≠ Potluck

Near the beginning of this year I was in the car with C on the way to Church. Throughout the journey we talked about several things, mainly our experiences and issues we faced revolving around our Faith (that was also his last time celebrating Mass near the university campus, as he completed his final semester and was about to fly back in a few days).

Somewhere down, our conversation focused on the current Catholic Students Society (CSS) of our university. I cannot remember much of the discussion, aside from agreeing that they should not keep switching patron Churches, and their not-so-good management of affairs with the previous patron Church. I also vaguely recalled however, talking about certain people we both personally knew and the way they acted/changed – and not for the better. What stood out most to me at that time was not the people we were discussing about, but the person I was having the discussion with. Just as we are about to dig deeper into the problems the CSS members are facing, there was always one phrase he uttered which prevents us from doing so: “Don’t judge.”

“Don’t judge.” It is a phrase I commonly see and hear throughout my life, especially on social networking sites (though less often nowadays). “Don’t judge based on appearances, don’t judge me before getting to know me, don’t judge my actions, etc…”

The topic of judging is a broad one, and holds much potential for discussion. To try keeping within the context with this post, for the most part I agree that we should not be so quick to form conclusions based on one or two cases. When I first encountered Bob, I thought he was some stuck up dude based on his typical facial expression and aloofness. It was only 4 years later when I had my first opportunity to talk to him, that I discovered the helpful and interesting side beneath the shell of introversion.

However during my conversation with C, I feel the implication here was different. Yes, we should not be so quick to judge a person from a single event, but does that mean we are to remain silent when we see them commit something questionable?

No matter how much one is against it, everyone has to make judgments. We make our choices by judging what best fulfils our criteria/objective. Each time I wake up, I decide whether I should immediately get ready or tarry in bed. I deliberate whether I should make breakfast or eat out; my response to person of different age, status, gender, current emotional state or apparent personality; my actions based on a particular situation, and so forth.

I believe a similar approach should be applied in my conversation with C. St Paul mentioned in 1 Corinthians 5:9-12 not to associate with immoral men claiming to belong to the Church. A little further down, he continued, “Is it not those inside the Church whom you are to judge?” Looking at it closely, I feel one can tie this somewhat to Jesus’ words in Matthew 18:15-17.

C advocates not to judge, but I say we are to do so – not to condemn but to correct or improve, just as St Paul wrote to the believers of Corinthians, just as Christ taught His disciples.

I find this a problem among many Christians today, especially those from the East of the country. On one hand I admire their spirit and culture of community, living in harmony with one another regardless of ethnicity or religion (there is a church and a mosque located just beside the other; on Fridays the Church opens its gates to allow Muslim worshippers to park inside for their prayers, and vice versa for Christians on Sundays). So much so that when they come to the West of the nation, many are taken aback by the racial and religious cards constantly played here. However, their way of life also causes them to adopt a more charismatic and laidback attitude regarding their faith.

I felt this slight over-openness hanging throughout my conversation with C. During our subsequent discussion, when C and I pondered on the answer if someone were to ask us what/which is the true religion, his answer was somewhere along the lines of “whatever the person truly believes is right”. This made me recall a post I had written awhile back in 2012 (http://rideforgod.blogspot.my/2012/05/awhile-back-while-browsing-through-my.html). There are many (other) remarks I could make on this opinion as well. I will leave a detailed discussion for another post, but for now would like to say this: as a Christian sent out to be a witness for Christ, is that the way a believer is supposed to respond?

As a Catholic, I firmly believe we should always be clear in what we believe in. This is why I find it so important to know my faith, and the reasons why I hold onto it. Flimsy convictions are likely to bend even against weak and ungrounded arguments. As a follower of Christ, I am thus reminded to always be firm and decisive in my beliefs, especially in the most crucial matter pertaining to my life here and after.

RFG always.

Voice of the Disregarded

In the weeks during the US presidential election campaign, the name Donald Trump became a common sight in the web – be it in news portals or on social media. And, just as news that seem to always be brought into the spotlight, they were not exactly of the most commendable sort. In almost every piece I happened across during that period, Trump was condemned, criticised and mocked for his stances. These stances seem to be mainly centered on clamping down immigration, building a wall between US and Mexico, banning Muslims from the country, abolishing environmental protection, his scandals, sexism, etc.

The major secular media I came across portrayed Trump in a negative light, highlighting the outrageous comments made by him (though currently this seems to be balancing slightly more evenly during the time of writing). Yet, to a man (or in this case, a portal) they seemingly ignore other issues he addressed, for instance securing jobs for local American citizens. I cannot help but compare this to a similar situation occurring at the opposite end of the world – in Malaysia. On one hand you have its local newspapers portraying the reigning government as the one shining beacon of the country, with the opposition seeking to incite division and rebellion among the citizens. In contrast, the international media and internet websites project the opposition as champions for clean politics, a light that shines amidst a corrupt and oppressive government.

Now I am not saying I support Trump – or Hillary for that matter. Each has their own shortcomings, and this is beside the point of this article. Each has their faults, but what many tend overlook is that each has their strengths as well.

People are inclined to hear only what they want to hear. To a modern day educated urban citizen, perhaps his/her interests lean toward environmental conservation, gender equality, freedom of expression and openness to novel ideas. As long as I and those close to me are safe and doing fine, shouldn’t I be free to pursue what interests me? To a poor barely-schooled resident in a rural district however, he/she is more likely to be concerned with bread and butter issues and having a steady source of income to support themselves or their family. Who really cares about the environment or have the leisure creative expression if I cannot secure the basic necessities of life?

This is thus my conjecture. When the Democrats lost to the Republicans, many of these “moderate progressive” liberals refuse to accept this outcome – some going as far as to push for a secession from the US (eg: Calexit). This group is made up of middle to upper-class income earners: those who have access to proper education, tech-savvy and leading a more-or-less comfortable lives. Their exposure and formal credentials/achievements cause them to see themselves as well-informed, wiser and more intelligent than those living in the countryside. And it is precisely because of this that they cannot understand nor accept the reasons of the people who voted contrary to their ideals. A quick tour on MSN featured articles seem to prove this: those who voted for Trump are sexist, racist, Islamophobic or just plain stupid. But they cannot – or perhaps would not – see it in the eyes of those who behold a bleak future, who are struggling to make ends meet, simply because they have never tasted its unadulterated bitterness.

The situation above inevitably led me to compare it with the plight Christians are facing. In similar fashion, Jesus and His Apostles who lived by the Gospel are persecuted and derided by people of the supposedly educated and progressive lot. Because the latter are intelligent they declare their refusal to believe in “some fairy tale story of an almighty creator watching over everything.” The relevance of 1 Corinthians 1:22:23 remains strong even after over 2000 years.

Even if someone manages to provide a rational/logical explanation, they will refuse to accept it – just as the Jews in Acts 6:10-11, and just as the Americans now who refuse to accept the results of the presidential election. This made me recall a line from a piece I read many years ago: when an atheist was invited to debate with a pastor, he declined saying that it is impossible to hold a logical discussion over a fictional storybook. They cannot empathise with them, simply because they refuse the first step of acknowledging the possibility that He exist. Meanwhile those people beyond the convenience of city life are similar to those who make up the Body of Christ. Not in the sense of their spirituality perhaps, but on their emphasis on the fundamental necessities of life. Much like the latter half of Psalms 131:1, “…I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvellous for me.”

Perhaps in an environment where everything is placed on fast track, those in the city – myself included – have forgotten to cherish the simple things in life. So caught up are we in our own endeavours we sometimes tend to discount the issues of those close us, what more of others living a few hundred miles away from our district in some backcountry.

Yet, just as the democrats living in the major cities of US learned, to sideline them is to sideline a great number of hopes and dreams of her people. Like the upper-class Jews in Jesus’ day, the Pharisees, scribes and priests who scorned the lower-class society treated Jesus with the same contempt on the Cross. Ultimately, it is the poor, maimed, blind, lame, those on the highways and hedges (Luke 24:21,23), even the tax collectors and harlots (Matthew 21:31) that made their way into the Kingdom of Heaven. Those who are not trapped by the snares of the world (Luke 8:7,14), who have little/nothing to lose, and thus decided to put their faith into the untested water.

This case serves as a solemn reminder that the media-fed contemporary wisdom and intelligence does not necessarily portray/cover an entire story in an even light. In the end, one must consider the subject/views from all angles, and then exercise discretion based on his/her consciousness and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Never discard a person’s hopes especially for their desire on the basic necessities of life, for one day this may return to bite us in our heels.

RFG always.