Pastor did right thing by apologising, but Buddhist group wants to make sure there is no repeat
By Grace Chua 09 February 2010
The Singapore Buddhist Federation said Senior Pastor Rony Tan’s act of apologising was the right thing to do - for a start.
But it will still approach the authorities and have its voice heard in order to prevent similar incidents in future, it said last night.
‘It is good that the authorities have looked at this matter, but this is a matter of national concern. We want to appeal to the public and the authorities to make sure there is no second time,’ said the federation’s secretary-general, Venerable Kwang Phing.
‘Singapore is a multi-religious, multiracial society. There is no point arguing over who is right and who is wrong,’ he added.
Singapore Buddhist Lodge chairman Lee Bock Guan urged restraint on the part of Buddhists so that tension does not escalate.
He said: ‘Buddhism teaches us to forgive; everybody makes mistakes.’
Singapore Taoist Federation chairman Tan Thiam Lye shared Mr. Lee’s view.
‘If (Pastor Tan) is sincere, we accept his apology, and hope this sort of thing does not happen again,’ he said.
‘We Taoists prize harmony, and would rather not bicker with others. We hope other religious groups can treat the beliefs of other faiths with an open and generous attitude.’
Mr. Ameerali Abdeali, general secretary of the Inter-Religious Organisation, a non-governmental inter-faith outfit that aims to strengthen religious harmony, said leaders of the 10 religions represented in the group had been notified of the issue.
When asked if the incident meant the organisation needed to work harder at promoting religious harmony, Mr. Ameerali said: ‘Promoting religious harmony is a continuing effort. We have been promoting religious harmony and understanding for 60 years, and we will continue to do that.’
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Leaders of Buddhist, Taoist groups urge restraint
Pastor did right thing by apologising, but Buddhist group wants to make sure there is no repeat
By Grace Chua
09 February 2010
The Singapore Buddhist Federation said Senior Pastor Rony Tan’s act of apologising was the right thing to do - for a start.
But it will still approach the authorities and have its voice heard in order to prevent similar incidents in future, it said last night.
‘It is good that the authorities have looked at this matter, but this is a matter of national concern. We want to appeal to the public and the authorities to make sure there is no second time,’ said the federation’s secretary-general, Venerable Kwang Phing.
‘Singapore is a multi-religious, multiracial society. There is no point arguing over who is right and who is wrong,’ he added.
Singapore Buddhist Lodge chairman Lee Bock Guan urged restraint on the part of Buddhists so that tension does not escalate.
He said: ‘Buddhism teaches us to forgive; everybody makes mistakes.’
Singapore Taoist Federation chairman Tan Thiam Lye shared Mr. Lee’s view.
‘If (Pastor Tan) is sincere, we accept his apology, and hope this sort of thing does not happen again,’ he said.
‘We Taoists prize harmony, and would rather not bicker with others. We hope other religious groups can treat the beliefs of other faiths with an open and generous attitude.’
Mr. Ameerali Abdeali, general secretary of the Inter-Religious Organisation, a non-governmental inter-faith outfit that aims to strengthen religious harmony, said leaders of the 10 religions represented in the group had been notified of the issue.
When asked if the incident meant the organisation needed to work harder at promoting religious harmony, Mr. Ameerali said: ‘Promoting religious harmony is a continuing effort. We have been promoting religious harmony and understanding for 60 years, and we will continue to do that.’
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