Sivin Kit’s Garden

We can pray, we can give, we can act … here are two channels for those who are looking for connections.

MYANMAR CYCLONE: WV RESPONDS

Cyclone Nargis has killed at least 22,000 and rendered tens of thousands homeless.

World Vision has been working in Myanmar for the past 40 years and has begun a rapid response to the affected.

For updates, please visit: http://www.wvasiapacific.org/

To contribute, please click here.

Note: World Vision Malaysia’s project in Myanmar was not affected as it is situated in the northern region.

APPEAL - Humanitarian Relief for Myanmar

CCM is calling upon all Churches to pray for the thousands of children and families affected by the Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar.

The death toll continues to rise and currently estimated to be 22,000 with over 1 million left homeless.

Secular and church relief agencies are working with the government authorities to rush aid to affected areas.

CCM has been informed that Action of Churches Together (ACT) is working with the Myanmar Council of Churches and local churches to assist in the emergency distribution of food, plastic sheeting for shelter, blankets, tents and water purification tablets.

CCM, along with other churches in the region are raising funds to sustain the humanitarian relief work.

All congregations are invited to make generous donations so that short and long-term relief work will be implemented during this critical time.

Please send the cheques to “Council of Churches of Malaysia” and write “Myanmar Relief Fund” behind the cheque.

For a copy of the Myanmar Appeal, Right Click here and Save As

It’s been a while since I posted up some books that I have been reading.  And there is still so much I need to catch up with whether it’s for my Masters (which is stuck in transition), book chapters or articles I owe people.

So, I thought I’ll try and get into the groove with this interesting book.  Now the fact is, these posts I put up are never really books reviews.  I think there are plenty of good ones out there.

What I tend to do is to pull out excerpts which has captured my attention or helps propel my imagination forward. Thus, it tends to be more personal and local.

It was nice to "bump" into this book from the local seminary Malaysia Theological Seminary or Seminari Theoloji Malaysia (STM).  It’s the place where I look for stuff I can’t buy

For starters, I liked the introduction and managed to at least read the chapter focused on Ecclesiology.

The Five Thesis on the "Theoretical Status of Liberation Theology" (pp. 1-5):

Thesis 1: The theology of liberation is an integral theology, treating all of the positivity of faith from a particular perspective: that of the poor and their liberation.

Last Sunday was the first time, I spent a little bit more time on the subject of "prosperity gospel" in one part of the message. The impulse for that is I get the sense that at least for the Church in Malaysia especially the city, most of us have no clue about the plight of the poor and what liberation for them means.  We tend towards spiritualizing our talk about the poor and usually land up just saying how fortunate we are in comparison to them and then end there.  The conversations floating in our heads and often in the space between us tends towards our self-preservation or self-advancement divorced from the wider realities of our "neighbors".

The little theology of liberation I have reflected on shouts to me loud and clear … "Shame on us!".  I was tempted to add some stronger language after that sentence and restrained myself upon second thought. Our hearts are often too hardened that even after exposure to the realities of the poor in Malaysia, we need better language to help us not only think about it, but do something about it. And this "something" must go beyond pity, shame and guilt … that kick is needed, but to take it further long term I found some resource and language from our brothers and sisters in Latin America.

Read the rest of this entry »

350 leaders under the age of 30 met at Sojourners’ Justice Revival in Columbus, Ohio, to discuss social justice and activism. Shane Claiborne of The Simple Way spoke to the young leaders.

There is a place for analysis.  The temptation however is over-analysis or worse paralysis of analysis. So, before we devote all our energies there.  The place of action is open to ALL …

How many people under  the age of 30 in Kuala Lumpur want to take it this like our friends in Columbus?

I’ve been to many Revival Meetings especially at the height of my "Charismatic" days, at times I leave with an emotional high and energy that lifts me up.  There are other times, I’m either guilty because nothing happened, or angry because of manipulation used. It’s a mixed bag … Is there something better before us?  What is a "true revival??

I know may of my Christian friends in Malaysia  can relate to this, and need to hear this. Some might like the style too … I’d love to see Revival Meetings which would result in …

" A conversion that can change lives and neighborhoods …"

Yes, Lord! Amen

Kuala Lumpur - Justice Revival … someone?

A friend of mine reminded me of the complexity of the context in the USA.  That is a good note to watch especially in the light of any controversies.There is always more than meets the eye, and more than the snippets we hear.

But like it or not, these are voices we don’t hear enough. There maybe stuff one won’t agree fully with Prof. James Cone, but then there will be stuff which will resonate. That can only happen after at least listening to the whole conversation

(HT: Black Liberation Theology - A Conversation with James Cone)

A timely Statement on democratic electoral processes from the World Council of Churches relevant also for us during this season in Malaysia.

Statement on democratic electoral processes

“The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it; the world, and those who live in it” (Psalm 24:1)

“Choose for each of your tribes individuals who are wise, discerning and reputable to be your leaders”

(Deuteronomy 1:13)

1. Although the Bible offers no description of the definitive political system, it indicates that every system has both the potential for participation, and for the abuse of power. For Christians, the Hebrew prophetic traditions - as well as the Christian tradition - offer the reminder that people of faith must embrace the responsibility to be engaged in the civil political systems of which they are a part, but that they must also embrace the responsibility to advocate for justice, compassion and morality when those in authority abuse their power.
2. Christians faithfully function within many different political systems and are often called upon to play influential roles within those systems. In so doing, they fulfil their calling to be salt and light which both seasons and enlightens any system in which they have been placed.
3. One of the most significant developments in recent history is the increased use of democratic electoral processes.  The United Nations’ “Millennium Declaration” commits the nations of the world “to promote democracy and strengthen the rule of law, as well as respect for all internationally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms”. In it, world leaders commit “to work collectively for more inclusive political processes, allowing genuine participation by all citizens”. Upon the occasion of the 60^th Anniversary of the UN “Universal Declaration of Human Rights”, adopted on 10 December 1948, it is important to recall this text in light of recent electoral processes in Kenya, Georgia, the Ukraine and Pakistan; and in anticipation of elections in Zimbabwe, Angola, Russia, Armenia, Italy, the United States and Fiji.
4. A critical look at electoral processes as a part of democratic governance is needed in order to safeguard a just, participatory and moral framework for the exercise of power in democratic systems. Though democracy has led to a greater degree of liberty and participation for individuals in their political systems, in some cases it has been misused in such a way that it has negated the rule of law, exacerbated corruption, and offered a political legitimization for the abuse of human rights. In addition, there is a growing tendency for certain economic, bureaucratic and media elites to exercise significant power without sufficient accountability to democratically elected authorities. It is the responsibility of the church to call attention to these abuses of power.
5. In democratic systems, elections serve as a way for people to confer legitimacy on a participatory democratic political system. In order to ensure that an election truly reflects the will of the people, attention should be paid to pre- and post- electoral mechanisms. Electoral monitoring on election days does not suffice. A number of recent situations reveal that serious compromises to electoral outcomes can occur, both during the preparation period preceding the elections and after the elections (for example, in cases where there is a dispute over the result and a recount). In addition, dubious election laws, limitations to the full participation of minority and economically disadvantaged candidates and parties, manipulation of voter registration processes and voting machines, biased media coverage of candidates, and manipulation on the part of opposition parties can affect outcomes. Effective monitoring of electoral processes should seek to analyze these factors, and to address any perceived manipulations in order to ensure the legitimacy of democratically elected governments.
6. In spite of these safeguards, it must be acknowledged that a democratically elected government does not guarantee the fulfilment of citizens’ aspirations. Democracy cannot flourish in a context of fear, nor in a situation lacking the institutions necessary for sustaining a democratically elected government.[1]  Effective public institutions, including an independent judiciary, an impartial police force, an accountable legislature, a responsible and effective public service, and a process for democratic evaluation and reform are necessary. The obligations of the international community are not limited to electoral monitoring, but rather to the encouragement of all of the necessary frameworks for the establishment of a truly participatory democracy.
7. Democratic assessments offer an important tool for the identification of democratic deficits. They can also provide valuable information, which can enable civil society to engage in public debate about the objectives of democratization and the needed reforms in any democratic system. Such assessments can help to establish and sustain accountable, effective and participatory democratic governments, which minimize potential abuses of power.
8. In addition, it must be acknowledged that - as in every political system - poverty and exclusion pose a major threat to full participation in the political life of a community, and to the proper functioning of society.
9. In recognition of the importance of legitimate electoral processes and democratic frameworks, the World Council of Churches, through its ecumenical electoral monitoring teams, has accompanied churches in several countries to ensure fairness and justice in electoral processes.
10. In all regions of the world we have seen evidence of the abuse of power, electoral irregularities, and examples of corruption, intimidation and electoral fraud. We believe that, in situations where people and societies have established democratic systems, that their governments should be based on the collaboration and participation of all citizens - regardless of race, ethnic background, economic status, different abilities, gender or religion.

Therefore, the central committee of the World Council of Churches, meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, 13-20 February 2008:

1. Urges all countries to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms through the establishment of independent judiciaries, impartial police forces, accountable legislatures, and responsible public services;
2. Encourages democratic countries to constantly monitor the electoral processes through which people can freely and fairly express their political will, and to establish necessary processes for democratic evaluation and reform;
3. Commends the work of the UN and non-governmental institutions in various countries, that have provided electoral assistance and assessment, including voter education programmes, technical assistance and information concerning the conduct of elections, electoral monitoring and observation;
4. Requests the UN and other regional and international institutions to continue to provide all necessary assistance in order to ensure the realization of just and participatory elections in democratically established states;
5. Appeals to churches to be actively involved, where appropriate, in civil political engagement and education through awareness-building programmes for voters, and to participate in the monitoring and assessment of electoral processes in order to ensure fair, just and participatory democratic elections. 

[1] See the central committee background document Contemporary Challenges to Africa, January 1994, which stated, “elections alone do not constitute democracy….True participatory democracy…requires fundamental institutional change, authentic respect for individual and collective rights and freedoms, including economic rights”.

This is awesome.

There’s is a lot from the west and especially the United States of America which I don’t find helpful for our context.

But …

These are good vibrations which needs to reign from Brother Martin to Malaysia.

(HT: Carbon Copy)