Intercultural, interreligion / 12:01 PM

Respecting boundaries (intercultural, interreligion)
Song of the moment: Decode -Paramore


How can I decide what's right
when you're clouding up my mind
I can't win your losing fight
All the time

Nor could I ever own what's mine
When you're always taking sides
But you won't take away my pride
No not this time


For what is worth, I appreciate the fact that the human population is diverse. And more than that, we are different in our own ways and this difference adds more meaning to our existence on Earth as we share and learn from each other.

The intercultural & international communication class last evening was the best as of yet. Prior to the class yesterday, I was rather apprehensive of what is going to be discussed for that particular lesson. Yet I convinced myself this has to be good and it will...(and surely, did too). The topic of discussion, I daresay, is somewhat a taboo. Yet in an academic setting, it is refreshing and ought to be out in the open more often, despite my position and belief in the secular system. That's right, we finally discussed the topic of "religion" in class.

It was a refreshing take to be attending this class in a European land, I daresay. Firstly, I get a fresh outlook on the Western perspective on world issues. We also discussed world views and deep structures last night too, as an overarching concept to the subset topic of religion. Secondly, being a Singaporean, I realise that I am at the crossroad of 2 fundamental ideals of the world: the West and the East. The fact that I come from a secular country, yet a country with people with faith (and various faiths, mind you), I am more than happy to share my perspective with the rest of the class.

Although some of the answers that we have discussed to the various questions that pop up during the lecture discussion are not satisfactorily in depth, but the points made were pretty clear. Why do religions compare themselves with each other? Why are Christianity and Islam (and Judaism too, for that matter) always at conflict with one another? Why must we let issues of the past get in the way for our compromises and effort at making peace in the present and future?

For one thing, I appreciate the system Singapore adopts, of being secular. Sure, it is a Western concept, and not that everyone appreciates the Western concepts, (and to note that some countries in the West to not subscribe to secularism too). Definitely, there is a no-sure method of what is right and what works. But the fact that we are secular yet freedom of religion exists makes individuals able to lead their lives to the best of how we want to.

I had always taken it for granted, and thought that the "quasi-utopia" that exists in the country is something artificial. But now I learn to appreciate it more than ever as nothing beats having the harmony and freedom to believe in whatever faith you want to subscribe to. So what if I am a Muslim and I have Christian friends...or more than that, what if I am a Jewish boy with a Muslim girlfriend? You know..that kinda thing...

All being said, tolerance should be a universal quality instilled in any system at all. No matter if you subscribe to the Western ideal of secularism or the Middle Eastern ideal where religion dominates all aspect of living, the keyword to having a harmonious balance is TOLERANCE. Because when we open our minds and be more objective, our relationships with others will be more meaningful.

Spreading the love to the world.

xoxo
Syida

Intercultural, interreligion / 12:01 PM

Respecting boundaries (intercultural, interreligion)
Song of the moment: Decode -Paramore


How can I decide what's right
when you're clouding up my mind
I can't win your losing fight
All the time

Nor could I ever own what's mine
When you're always taking sides
But you won't take away my pride
No not this time


For what is worth, I appreciate the fact that the human population is diverse. And more than that, we are different in our own ways and this difference adds more meaning to our existence on Earth as we share and learn from each other.

The intercultural & international communication class last evening was the best as of yet. Prior to the class yesterday, I was rather apprehensive of what is going to be discussed for that particular lesson. Yet I convinced myself this has to be good and it will...(and surely, did too). The topic of discussion, I daresay, is somewhat a taboo. Yet in an academic setting, it is refreshing and ought to be out in the open more often, despite my position and belief in the secular system. That's right, we finally discussed the topic of "religion" in class.

It was a refreshing take to be attending this class in a European land, I daresay. Firstly, I get a fresh outlook on the Western perspective on world issues. We also discussed world views and deep structures last night too, as an overarching concept to the subset topic of religion. Secondly, being a Singaporean, I realise that I am at the crossroad of 2 fundamental ideals of the world: the West and the East. The fact that I come from a secular country, yet a country with people with faith (and various faiths, mind you), I am more than happy to share my perspective with the rest of the class.

Although some of the answers that we have discussed to the various questions that pop up during the lecture discussion are not satisfactorily in depth, but the points made were pretty clear. Why do religions compare themselves with each other? Why are Christianity and Islam (and Judaism too, for that matter) always at conflict with one another? Why must we let issues of the past get in the way for our compromises and effort at making peace in the present and future?

For one thing, I appreciate the system Singapore adopts, of being secular. Sure, it is a Western concept, and not that everyone appreciates the Western concepts, (and to note that some countries in the West to not subscribe to secularism too). Definitely, there is a no-sure method of what is right and what works. But the fact that we are secular yet freedom of religion exists makes individuals able to lead their lives to the best of how we want to.

I had always taken it for granted, and thought that the "quasi-utopia" that exists in the country is something artificial. But now I learn to appreciate it more than ever as nothing beats having the harmony and freedom to believe in whatever faith you want to subscribe to. So what if I am a Muslim and I have Christian friends...or more than that, what if I am a Jewish boy with a Muslim girlfriend? You know..that kinda thing...

All being said, tolerance should be a universal quality instilled in any system at all. No matter if you subscribe to the Western ideal of secularism or the Middle Eastern ideal where religion dominates all aspect of living, the keyword to having a harmonious balance is TOLERANCE. Because when we open our minds and be more objective, our relationships with others will be more meaningful.

Spreading the love to the world.

xoxo
Syida