For Pakatan to achieve true unity, religion needs to be reformed
Religion is bad. It divides us. So, no religion, no division. Maybe Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim can announce this new policy of the government of Anwar Ibrahim-Zahid Hamidi. The government will strive for a true unity government by reforming religious doctrine and by banning religion from schools. True unity will be achieved once all religions are the same and no religion is considered more superior to others.
NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin
The word ‘unity’ or perpaduan will be used for as many things as possible in this new ‘unity’ Malaysia. Unity government, unity internet, unity aid, unity coalition, unity religion, etc. Unity is going to be the new catchword over the next five years — unless the government of Anwar Ibrahim-Zahid Hamidi falls before the date of GE16 in January 2028.
What most people refuse to admit is religion is the main hindrance to unity. Hence the word unity will remain just a catchword and will not be a reality if our attitude and education on religion is not reformed.
I mean, just look at India. After 75 years of independence, the Hindus and Muslims are still at each other’s throats. As the Malay proverb goes, rambut sama hitam, hati lain-lain.
India is the largest democracy in the world. But the people are not united because of many reasons, such as caste, but mainly because of religion. In fact, the largest democracy in the world is also the most discriminatory country in the world.
Same race, same skin colour, same religion, but different caste, can cause huge problem. I had a neighbour in Bukit Rahman Putra, Sungai Buloh, (yes I used to live in an upper-class gated neighbourhood when I was in Malaysia), who was an upper caste Indian. One day he beat up another Indian with a metal pipe because this chap was from the pariah caste.
I took this chap to hospital, who needed 17 stitches on his head.
The chap made a police report, and I was called in for my statement to be recorded. However, no action was taken because it was the pariah Indian’s fault: he had spoken to the upper caste Indian (it seems pariah Indians must not look upper caste Indians in the eye, they must look at the ground). Hence, I did not need to go to court to testify.
Anyway, we are taught that our religion is the true religion and far superior to other religions. We are taught that only those of our religion will go to heaven while those of other religions will go to hell. Most parents will not allow their children to marry someone of another religion. And the list goes one.
Malaysia’s new unity government should achieve true unity by banning such teachings in schools and religious classes. In fact, religion should be totally banned in schools, like in the United States.
Religion is bad. It divides us. So, no religion, no division. Maybe Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim can announce this new policy of the government of Anwar Ibrahim-Zahid Hamidi. The government will strive for a true unity government by reforming religious doctrine and by banning religion from schools. True unity will be achieved once all religions are the same and no religion is considered more superior to others.
Pluralism, Omnism or Syncretism should be the target and objective of the government of Anwar Ibrahim-Zahid Hamidi. Places of worship should be for all religions, not separated into mosques, churches and temples. And Christian, Hindu and Buddhist boys can marry Muslim girls without the need to convert to Islam.
Hidup Malaysia! Hidup Perpaduan! Hidup Kerajaan Perpaduan!
