“…
the American movement has had more than three decades to take shape
and flourish; by the time scholars and the mainstream media noticed,
it had already infiltrated
nearly every level of government from school boards to the Senate,
often by stealth.”
The Armageddon Factor. Marci McDonald
(Rom 4:14 NKJV) For if
those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the
promise made of no effect,
(Rom 4:15 NKJV) because
the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no
transgression.
(Rom 5:20 NKJV) Moreover
the law entered that the
offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded
much more,
When Senator Sen. Charles Grassley tried to question Pastor Benny
Hinn for his compliance to internal revenue service’s requirements,
the good Senator was effectively ignored. Benny Hinn was a favorite
at the Singaporean mega churches. However, the Senator did not have
the same powers for a pre-dawn “visit” to obtain evidences required
for persecution. “Just follow the Law”, we insist. When we appeal to
the Government to apply strictly an unjust 377A law against gays for
something innate and not their fault, we will be judged in the
manner. This is God’s moral law
In Singapore, in the CHC investigation, the Commercial Affairs
Department was also involved rather than only the Commissioner of
Charity signifying a focus on commercial crimes rather than charity.
The temporary step down of Pastor Kong as Senior Pastor was also
first published in the “Business Times” rather than other news
sources. The reaction by members was also amazing, no drop in church
attendance but instead the faithful were queuing up with pledges of
support for the senior pastor. Such faithful support and unity by
tens of thousands would have made many worried. Perhaps, some had
previously been prepared to accommodate the mega churches, but the
latest events would have confirmed many fears. We are reminded
that:-
a) Since the late 1980s, there was a deliberate push by Christians
in the United States into the secular world, into Government, Media
and Business. It was a militant agenda with secretive meetings and
agreements such as the GLEN EYRIE protocol, the united strategy to
declare war on gays and to use this as a stepping stone to gain
power. President Bush was elected and re-elected based on this
conservative block voting. Could this happen in Singapore?
b) The success of the Christian Right in America into Political
power, was being matched by their increasing associations with big
businesses and wall street where a unique prosperity theology came
about to have the church blessings for being mega rich. The Bush
Administration with their Christian backers had de-regulated the
Wall Street allowing “liberty” to cheat legally. The recession was
caused by greed. Could we allow such greed to compromise Singapore
as a financial centre?
c) With success of taking over the secular Government, Business and
media in United States, the American Christian Right then targeted
Africa, and Asia. We see Pastors Benny Hinn, AR Bernard, John
Avanzini, Ed Silvoso, Peter Wagner frequently visiting the mega
churches. These were giants of Prosperity Theology, and Marketplace
evangelism into the secular space. They were the New Apostles going
to war rallying the churches here with their “American” theology.
Could they spark of a new religious battle? Destroying the peace and
unity necessary for growth and prosperity?
d) Nobody thought the American Christian Right experience could have
happened in Singapore, until the organized manner in which they
carried out the agenda to block any repealing of 377A (a law
criminalizing gay sex). Thousands of letters were apparently sent to
the local MPs following the given samples at Churches. The
mitigating reason then was that it was a once off hot button issue
which had galvanized the “conservative” population, and they would
quickly return to their mountain of religion and keep their distance
once the issue was over. Could
such interference into the secular occur again?
e) The Aware takeover by the Anglican Church shocked many because it
confirmed that the organized Christian political movement in the
377A debate was not just an aberration. Like the American
counterpart, gays would be used as an excuse to take over the
secular space. They were so well organized, strategic, decisive and
clinical. There was no leak even with hundreds involved. As they
were so united, they could have been a strong political, media and
business challenge into the existing secular spaces. Gays were easy
victims, but any party could be next. They could even have voted out
a Town Council or an electoral area.
f) The notion that any group could be next victim soon became
reality, as Pastor Rony Tan, did not hold back his direct and
prolonged criticism of another faith causing a serious community
back lash when it was broadcast over the internet.
This issue could have galvanized the community and impact
public order and peace. Although the issue was quickly settled, it
may not end up well the next time.
g) The part ownership of Suntec Convention sounded the final
trumpet. They were building their own tower of Babel. It represents
an achievement of financial wealth and incredible unity of strength
and support unseen in Singapore. However, the buy over also resulted
in increasing public disquiet and questions were raised on their
financial dealings. If they could take over Suntec, what other
mountains could they have taken over next?
There is nothing wrong for a mega church to be involved
substantially in business or even politics, as long as it does not
consider/register itself as a tax free charity. It will be treated
then as a business, a media organization, and a political party etc
and not be given special rights as a charity. How could we
reasonably apply laws of charity on a mega church when it is
involved in a very large scale complicated business transactions
involving tens of millions? Or be involved in political lobbying
against the gay community.
With the incredible support of the mega churches, their leaders were
protected. Pastor Rony Tan for example was given only a warning. If
they were taken to tasks, it could be seen by many as harshly
targeting their faith. The backlash is dangerous since the Christian
Right has a strong persecution mentality. The Senior Pastors of the
mega churches stood above the clouds claiming righteousness and
morality far above the common people where even the sight of gay
people would compromise their holiness and said to bring Singapore
down the slippery slope of immorality! By their own immorality, they
are now falling from great heights.
(Rom 2:21 NKJV) You,
therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who
preach that a man should
not steal, do you steal?
(Rom 2:22 NKJV) You who
say, "Do not commit adultery," do you commit adultery?
You who abhor idols, do you
rob temples?
(Rom 2:23 NKJV) You who
make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking
the law?
The bible says that those who obtain justification by the Law shall
also fall by it. They had judged without mercy nor grace and had
caused great harm eg in the California to insist that the existing
gay marriages be annulled, or advocating the hunting down and
killing of gays in Africa.
Whatever they sow, they may also reap. The Jewish biblical
laws were given for the purpose of finding or invoking evidence for
judgment. If one can be perfect by the Law, then why need a
redeemer, a Savior. When one emphasized or boasts in the OT Laws, it
has the power to bring out the worst in people that they may be
judged and be found lacking, and therefore needing God’s grace. They
preached regularly on OT laws in the mega churches, used it to the
very letter to condemn gays, and it now returns to bite them.
Paul’s strong warning against the religious Jews in the bible who
criticized his preaching of God’s grace is prophetic. In Rom 2:21,
and 22, they have stolen from people and robed temples whilst
boasting of the law. The Gay Community have long felt being used,
manipulated and abused by the Christian Right, who stood at the
sidewalks wagging their finger whilst gays are condemned by the
majority and persecuted and put in jails. Perhaps, they have
forgotten the summary or intention of the Law to lead us to Loving
God, and loving others just as we love ourselves. We have ultimately
failed as a church to love the outcasts.
We are reminded of a beautiful song sung by Amy Grant, "We're
marching to Zion". We are supposed to march to the mountain of God,
and not to march into the secular world. We can't serve two masters,
and should be single minded to worship our God and Saviour, Jesus
Christ. We are to wait for thy Kingdom come, and not to grow weary
of waiting nor create our own kingdom of God on earth as the
Catholic Church have done.
Thy Kingdom Come
Thy will be done on earth,
As it is in Heaven