The Abuse of Religion

Many conflicts are blamed on religious differences but if we examine these conflicts more closely, they are usually caused by politicians who make use of religion for their own ends.

In Malaysia we are fortunate that leaders of the various religions have been able to work closely to care for the fabric of a multi-religious and multicultural society since Merdeka.
In recent years there has been an accelerated drive to make Malaysia an Islamic nation against the basic tenets of the constitution that states that we are a secular nation.

This latest scheme to promote Islam seems to be an insult to the religion as people are being paid incentives to convert the Orang Asli, the real natives of Malaysia to change their religion.
It is similar to the white men who gave whisky to the Red Indians to take over their lands.

This scheme would also be difficult to manage as it involves free accommodation and monthly allowance of RM1000. Instead of creating devout followers of the religion, the preachers may just marry, get the incentives and move on to their next target.

I expect it will also create more broken families and more neglected children as no one is perfect and this scheme of incentives is against freedom of religion of the Orang Asli who may not be properly advised.


Photo: Somewhere in W. Australia.