Outlaw Evangelicalism in Malaysia, says Islamic coalition

Bede Hong Bede Hong Updated 6 years ago · Published on 15 Jun 2017 8:32PM · 6 Comments

Centre for Human Rights Research and Advocacy (Centhra) CEO Azril Mohd Amin proposes that the 'dangerous movement that is evangelicalism' be kept in check as it 'threatens religious harmony in Malaysia'. – YouTube screenshot, June 15, 2017.

A COALITION of Islamic NGOs has put forward a provocative proposal:  ban Christian evangelicalism in Malaysia.

While the proposal is unlikely to receive a positive response from the Barisan Nasional administration given the strength of the Christian vote in East Malaysia, the sheer audacity of the idea shows the fraying of religious fault lines in the country.

“In Malaysia, the dangerous movement that is evangelicalism must be kept in check as it threatens religious harmony in Malaysia,” said Centre for Human Rights Research and Advocacy (Centhra) CEO Azril Mohd Amin said in an essay published on Utusan Online today. 

“As a result, the government needs to consider introducing anti-evangelicalism laws to ensure that the attempts by evangelicals to dominate the Christian narrative do not occur,” he continued. 

Azril also voiced his support for the ban on a recent Christian revival in Malacca. Last week, Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi ordered the police to block the four-day event called Jerusalem Jubilee.

Azril said Zahid’s action was “in line with the duties of the country’s administrators in protecting the Muslim faithful” as Islam is the official religion of Malaysia.

The banning was in line with Article 11 of the Federal Constitution, towards preserving the peace among religions, he said. 

Evangelicalism, or Evangelical Protestantism is based on the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ’s atonement. Evangelicalism is derived from the Greek words meaning “good news” and “to proclaim as good news” – the good news being that Christ died for the sins of the world.

“The truth is, many Christian scholars have themselves admitted the tendencies (of Christian evangelicals) to negatively affect the growth of the churches,” said Azril. 

Azril claimed the origins of the Christian evangelical movement could be traced to the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) of the United States in 1942, which Azril said was created to “balance out the fundamentalist” group that simultaneously formed  American Council of Christian Churches (ACC).

“Twenty years later, the movement exhibited new religious tendencies towards positivism, unfettered freedom and a tendency to uncontrolled openness,” Azril charged.

Azril said Malaysia should follow Russia in setting up anti-evangelical laws, known there as the Yarovaya Act, which curbed religious extremism and terrorism. The act was signed into law last July by President Vladimir Putin.

“The government should examine the appropriateness of this proposal and forward it to the Attorney-General to examine further the possibility of it becoming law. 

“It is clear that anti-evangelism laws must be created as soon as possible to curb and to restrict the evangelical activities that threaten peace and harmony, as well as the internal security of our country. The government is urged to take action before disaster strikes,” he said. 

Jerusalem Jubilee was organised by the Calvary Life Assembly Chinese (CLAC).

A similar gathering planned in Miri featuring the same speakers from the Jerusalem Jubilee was cancelled by The Association Of Churches in Sarawak.

State leaders from both sides of the political divide have condemned the ban on the Christian revival gathering.

““This is only a revival gathering which is basically in line with the spiritual beliefs of many Christians,” Sarawak PKR leader Baru Bian had told The Malaysian Insight last week. 

“A revival is to be spiritually transformed and revived in their faith towards their God. It has no political connotations and no political significance,” said Baru, who is a member of The Borneo Evangelical Church.

More than 42% of Sarawakians are Christians. – June 15, 2017.

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Comments

  • It is obvious that Azril doesn't know what he is talking about. And there are just too many giveaways (just in this very short article) about his lack of knowledge of Christianity in general and Evangelicalism in particular for me to cite here. His poor understanding of the terms Evangelicals, Evangelicalism and evangelism is proof enough. What is disturbing is that he is the CEO of a group that is called the Centre for Human Rights Research and Advocacy (Centhra). It appears that Azril is championing human rights. But in his worldview Christians in general and Evangelicals in particular don't have human rights! What is even more frightening is that Azril is fanning the fire of religious intolerance in Malaysia.

    Posted 6 years ago by Soon Hock Lim · Reply

  • We don't need hypocritical rhetoric here. Do unto others as you would to yourselves. Stop all Islamic evangelicalism as well.

    Posted 6 years ago by Awang Top · Reply

  • The Federal Constitution does not state that Islam is the official religion of Malaya. Official means government. We should drop Malaysis and just use Malaya. Article 160 refers. So, it's Federation of Malaya and the colonies of Sabah and Sarawak.

    Posted 6 years ago by Joe Fernandez · Reply

  • It was just a matter of time before someone comes up with this suggestion ...

    Posted 6 years ago by Tong C.K. HO · Reply

  • Centre for Human Rights? If your research is accurate, aren't you also saying Allah did not create everything, no?

    Posted 6 years ago by Julian Chung · Reply

  • Azril is right about evangelicalism is part of the Protestant Christian community.
    About Yarovaya Act, to apply this here means it should be equally applied to Muskim Missionary groups spreading Islam amongst non-Muslim especially Christians all over the place! Does he think we're idiots?!
    Take back your Muslim Missionary buddies, Azril! AHAHAHAHAHHA!

    Posted 6 years ago by Kekus Vult · Reply