Humans should not interfere with the teachings of God.

It all started with a good intention perhaps, but it eventually leads people to wrong beliefs and disrespect.

In religion, for example, the Taoist instill respect and fond memories for the dead by getting its followers to pray to them. This is beneficial as the good of our ancestors ought to be remembered and be the examples by which we improve ourselves. Let not the good that Man do be interred with their bodies.

However, the commercial efforts of humans looked at the prayer practice as opportunities to earn money. First, we had joss-sticks and candles. Then, paper money is sent to the dead through such prayer times. As people became richer, entrepreneurs became more imaginative and encourage the Taoist to send bicycles and cars. These entrepreneurs are quite down-to-earth in their persuit of profits. No aeroplanes or helicopters are seen so far as few of the dead are pilots of such things. Even then, they forgot to send along barrels of petrol for the car. Lately, we even have lap-tops and televisions as well as handphones. I wonder why they never ring back to tell us about the after-life. It must be because these people forgot about sending sim cards and batteries. Did anyone ever wondered about electricity supply there? Perhaps, these things bring more complains than pleasure to the dead. Yes, it is becoming ridiculous. The belief is getting out of hand. It is leading to a lot of ridicule which is not good for its initial aim.

When it comes to the Christians, its preachers reach out to humans to lead them to the rightful path for God so loved his 'children' that he sent his only son, Jesus, to die for the sins of all humans. Those who are not found are the lost sheep. Frankly, I liked that very much. In fact, I used to go to Church the most often because I was fortunate to meet such pastors as Brother Love in Alor Star from 1967 to 1970. Here was a very friendly, patient man of God who talked only of the love of God for all humans. Through him, I learned of love and compassion, of friendship and acceptance in his church besides the lovely hymns I enjoyed in his company.

However, slowly but gradually I met with preachers who talked of hell and damnation. It is something I just cannot accept. You see, I believe in God. For me, God is love. God is compassionate. When we love someone, we do not condemn him into eternal damnation. It cannot be, especially when it is the love of God. It is only possible to be thus condemned if the love is that of Man, for Man can have weaknesses and imperfection but not God. For me, God is perfect in every way. In his perfectness, with his limitless, shall i say godly patience, he would not allow his 'children' to suffer hell and ETERNAL damnation, no matter how blind, lost or stubborn they may be. When preachers put in words that God, in his Prefect Love, would never utter so venomously, I am shocked and repelled from their preaching. Would God send such venomous condemnation one those He loves?

Muslims are prohibited from eating pork. Such a prohibition could have arisen as a result of swine-fever during the prophet's time, I suppose. You see, I do not pretend to be an expert in the field. Whatever it is, I believe the original purpose was good for the followers. Anyway all humans must respect each other's religion.

As I have written in an earlier posting, my Muslim and Hindu friends would gather together at a table to eat the food allowed by our various religions. (Hindus do not eat beef as required by their religion. They have their good reasons for doing so.)Then, slowly but gradually, the scene changed. Nowadays, when a Muslim is eating at a place, it is expected that no pork is eaten or sold at the place, no even at the next table. And recently, pork at the market place must not even be seen. In my place, the pork which I eat has to be purchased in a smelly, dirty back lane because, according to the sellers, they are not to be seen. Imagine how you would feel, no matter what your religion, if your food is banished from the market proper and sold as if it is......(I am lost for words.)

Humans have added to the original belief and in doing so created what God would never do. God is full of love and compassion and would never hurt other people's feelings. (Please go to my posting on the treatment of God's creatures by a Muslim scholar.)All failings are human's, never God's. Unfortunately, only the wise and truly Godly will understand.

Let us pray for such wisdom and Godliness for all mankind.