My pastor Rev Wong Fong Yang shared about his experience of how difficult it is to perform church discipline in a Chinese culture where shame is used to control social behaviour. (His study is called "Shame and Discipline")
As a community/family, we are afraid of losing face so much so that truth and purity may take a backseat sometimes.
An ex-SUHAKAM friend of mine used to publish a Chinese magazine which discussed issues Malaysians tend to neglect or shun, trying to encourage socio-political involvement among churches...
But it was immediately censured for "washing dirty laundry in public."
So 'shame' also has the effect of clamping down on folks who 'rock the boat'.
I was once told that if non-Christians criticise other Christians' behaviour, we should never 'side' with them.
But I can't help but agree with my Dad, who constantly keeps me on my 'apologetic' toes. And it's not easy when 'dirty linen' is washed publicly in a Chinese daily.
Yea, I'm referring to a pastor's alleged "prophecy" or "dream" that a massive tsunami will hit Penang... It must happen, so run for your safety... Apparently the tsunami should have struck on 27 July while the pastor is taking refuge in Taiping.
Some poor folks were reported to have heeded the advice and left the isle.
(Phew! Am I glad to be in Bali?!)
On another note, another local pastor is facing legal action becos' her controversial and blatantly open teachings that sick people should give up medical treatment in faith that God will heal has disturbed and harmed people.
Sigh... Makes you wonder if believers need some healthy skepticism as much as skeptics need some healthy trust, doesnt it?
If the Church is truly committed to truth and purity, shouldn't we take the lead in being brutally honest about our shortcomings?
Instead of letting 'outsiders' do the job for us, shouldn't we be much more zealous in protecting people from falsehood and immorality?
Arguably, the shame is greater if we let sin fester until it reaches the newspapers.
As a community/family, we are afraid of losing face so much so that truth and purity may take a backseat sometimes.
An ex-SUHAKAM friend of mine used to publish a Chinese magazine which discussed issues Malaysians tend to neglect or shun, trying to encourage socio-political involvement among churches...
But it was immediately censured for "washing dirty laundry in public."
So 'shame' also has the effect of clamping down on folks who 'rock the boat'.
I was once told that if non-Christians criticise other Christians' behaviour, we should never 'side' with them.
But I can't help but agree with my Dad, who constantly keeps me on my 'apologetic' toes. And it's not easy when 'dirty linen' is washed publicly in a Chinese daily.
Yea, I'm referring to a pastor's alleged "prophecy" or "dream" that a massive tsunami will hit Penang... It must happen, so run for your safety... Apparently the tsunami should have struck on 27 July while the pastor is taking refuge in Taiping.
Some poor folks were reported to have heeded the advice and left the isle.
(Phew! Am I glad to be in Bali?!)
On another note, another local pastor is facing legal action becos' her controversial and blatantly open teachings that sick people should give up medical treatment in faith that God will heal has disturbed and harmed people.
Sigh... Makes you wonder if believers need some healthy skepticism as much as skeptics need some healthy trust, doesnt it?
If the Church is truly committed to truth and purity, shouldn't we take the lead in being brutally honest about our shortcomings?
Instead of letting 'outsiders' do the job for us, shouldn't we be much more zealous in protecting people from falsehood and immorality?
Arguably, the shame is greater if we let sin fester until it reaches the newspapers.
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