A turf war is "a bitter struggle for territory or power or control or rights". We can see turf wars erupting between street gangs for control of a particular area or spot to sell drugs. In the board room, a president could resign following a turf war with the board of directors. Basically, it is a contention for any kind of resource desired by two or more sections resulting in a confrontation. In our own backyard, recent developments indicate it is nothing but a turf war being played out by major players in the game.
In our midst is a coalition government of different parties who claim to serve the groups they represent. Realistically speaking, they cannot really see eye to eye and yet they have to sustain the coalition government. Obviously, any political party controlling the helm of power would enjoy immense power over many areas of our lives, even in religion.
Currently, we see a turf war being played out between the evangelists (Christians) and dakwahgroups (Muslims) whereby each group has been accused of trying to poach believers/followers from the other side to covert to their side.
BOTH Christians and Muslims equally guilty.
It is common to hear of reports whereby an organization brags about so and so (normally a VIP, etc) converting to their religion.
In many parts of the world, Christians brag about this famous Muslim or that famous Muslim now has become a Christian.
And Muslims also brag about that famous Christian or this famous Christian has now become a Muslim (eg. Muhammad Ali, Michael Jackson, Neil Armstrong, etc.).
Many times, it is rumours only (or worse still, could be a lie). But they are proud to announce their list of Who's Who who has left either Islam or Christianity to join the other side.
Basically, they feel that if they can impress us with their list of Who's Who then it will attract more converts. If so and so VIP/super-star joined our religion, then we must be correct.
Too often, it's a numbers game. They want to show how many converts they attract. And the bigger the name, the better.
In many ways, this is much like UMNO announcing PKR or PAS people coming over in droves and the same goes for the other side.
That is why when Zaid Ibrahim, Chua Jui Meng, etc. joined the opposition, they may make a lot of noise about it.
In this way, politics and religion are both the same. Only that in politics they will call them frogswhile in religion, they foam at the mouth and get all excited at what they consider apostasy.
If each will stop poaching, and better still, stop bragging about how many Christians became Muslims or Muslims became Christians, then we would not have so much problems like now. Then it would be easier to live peacefully.
So Muslims and Christians are both creating this problem. In fact, the government has PERKIM which gives land, free trips to Mekah, etc., for those who convert to Islam. And the evangelist churches also use money and other forms to attract converts.
By doing so, are they 'buying' converts. and then bragging about the numbers they can attract? Fortunately for us, the DUMC issue was resolved amicably when the Sultan of Selangor has ruled that no group should be prosecuted over a controversial incident on Aug 3 (read more here).
The brouhaha over the hudud issue and more recently, the Hassan Ali audio Bible comment are other examples of how the turf war is being played out. If you have time, do read RPK's post onOpen Letter to Hassan Ali.
We see the same happening in the political arena.
If Umno or MCA people join Pakatan, it is celebrated. When it is the other way around, it is condemned.
When non-Muslims become Muslims it is a great thing. When Muslims become Christians it is condemned.
Evangelists should stop playing the victim. They are as guilty as the Muslims in this conversation game.
The only thing is, the Federal Constitution allows Muslims to preach to non-Muslims but non-Muslims cannot preach to Muslims. So, according to the law, it is one-sided. But then that is the law. If you don't like it, then change the law (or amend the constitution).
But first get to form the federal government. And then introduce the changes. Or else, keep quiet and live with it. Parties concerned must not provoke each other to anger by continuing the turf war which must be put to an end!
Most of all, at all times, let us respect the law, religions, one another and even differences which exist.
In our midst is a coalition government of different parties who claim to serve the groups they represent. Realistically speaking, they cannot really see eye to eye and yet they have to sustain the coalition government. Obviously, any political party controlling the helm of power would enjoy immense power over many areas of our lives, even in religion.
Currently, we see a turf war being played out between the evangelists (Christians) and dakwahgroups (Muslims) whereby each group has been accused of trying to poach believers/followers from the other side to covert to their side.
BOTH Christians and Muslims equally guilty.
It is common to hear of reports whereby an organization brags about so and so (normally a VIP, etc) converting to their religion.
In many parts of the world, Christians brag about this famous Muslim or that famous Muslim now has become a Christian.
And Muslims also brag about that famous Christian or this famous Christian has now become a Muslim (eg. Muhammad Ali, Michael Jackson, Neil Armstrong, etc.).
Many times, it is rumours only (or worse still, could be a lie). But they are proud to announce their list of Who's Who who has left either Islam or Christianity to join the other side.
Basically, they feel that if they can impress us with their list of Who's Who then it will attract more converts. If so and so VIP/super-star joined our religion, then we must be correct.
Too often, it's a numbers game. They want to show how many converts they attract. And the bigger the name, the better.
In many ways, this is much like UMNO announcing PKR or PAS people coming over in droves and the same goes for the other side.
That is why when Zaid Ibrahim, Chua Jui Meng, etc. joined the opposition, they may make a lot of noise about it.
In this way, politics and religion are both the same. Only that in politics they will call them frogswhile in religion, they foam at the mouth and get all excited at what they consider apostasy.
If each will stop poaching, and better still, stop bragging about how many Christians became Muslims or Muslims became Christians, then we would not have so much problems like now. Then it would be easier to live peacefully.
So Muslims and Christians are both creating this problem. In fact, the government has PERKIM which gives land, free trips to Mekah, etc., for those who convert to Islam. And the evangelist churches also use money and other forms to attract converts.
By doing so, are they 'buying' converts. and then bragging about the numbers they can attract? Fortunately for us, the DUMC issue was resolved amicably when the Sultan of Selangor has ruled that no group should be prosecuted over a controversial incident on Aug 3 (read more here).
The brouhaha over the hudud issue and more recently, the Hassan Ali audio Bible comment are other examples of how the turf war is being played out. If you have time, do read RPK's post onOpen Letter to Hassan Ali.
We see the same happening in the political arena.
If Umno or MCA people join Pakatan, it is celebrated. When it is the other way around, it is condemned.
When non-Muslims become Muslims it is a great thing. When Muslims become Christians it is condemned.
Evangelists should stop playing the victim. They are as guilty as the Muslims in this conversation game.
The only thing is, the Federal Constitution allows Muslims to preach to non-Muslims but non-Muslims cannot preach to Muslims. So, according to the law, it is one-sided. But then that is the law. If you don't like it, then change the law (or amend the constitution).
But first get to form the federal government. And then introduce the changes. Or else, keep quiet and live with it. Parties concerned must not provoke each other to anger by continuing the turf war which must be put to an end!
Most of all, at all times, let us respect the law, religions, one another and even differences which exist.
- masterwordsmith
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