Singapore's Lee Kwan Yew: 'we can integrate all religions and races except Islam'

American Thinker ^ | 02/05/2011 | Thomas Lifson

[SeekAndFind]

Lee Kuan Yew ranks as one of the most successful statesmen of the 20th century, having led Singapore to independence, and built a thriving prosperous mini-state with a world class economy, out of an ethnically diverse population. He retired as the world's longest serving prime minister, and at 87 years of age, has little to lose in speaking his mind.

Thus, his candor in discussing the assimilation of Muslims is perhaps understandable, but stil startling in a world of political correctness and compulsory sensitivity to Muslims, who are never expected to reciprocate. Singapore has a substantial Muslim minority, mostly Malays but also some Indian Muslims. Throughout its history, Singapore has striven to keep ethnic tensions minimized among its diverse population (ethnic Chinese being the largest group [74%], followed by Malays[13%], Indians, and others -- including many westerners). At one point in the 1960s, Lee spearheaded a merger with majority-Muslim Malaysia, but it quickly fell apart.

Now, Lee has published a book on Singapore's future, and he is speaking his mind:

In the book, Mr Lee, when asked to assess the progress of multiracialism in Singapore, said: "I have to speak candidly to be of value, but I do not wish to offend the Muslim community.

"I think we were progressing very nicely until the surge of Islam came, and if you asked me for my observations, the other communities have easier integration - friends, intermarriages and so on, Indians with Chinese, Chinese with Indians - than Muslims. That's the result of the surge from the Arab states."

He added: "I would say today, we can integrate all religions and races except Islam."

He also said: "I think the Muslims socially do not cause any trouble, but they are distinct and separate."

Mr lee then went on to speak of how his own generation of politicians who worked with him had integrated well, including sitting down and eating together. He said: "But now, you go to schools with Malay and Chinese, there's a halal and non-halal segment and so too, the universities. And they tend to sit separately so as not to be contaminated. All that becomes a social divide."

He added that the result was a "veil" across peoples. Asked what Muslims in Singapore needed to do to integrate, he replied: "Be less strict on Islamic observances and say ‘Okay, I'll eat with you.'"

Hat tip: Andrew Bolt

[Quix]

THANKFULLY, my roommate was a recent convert.

He’s now head of a strong Christian family in the midwestern USA.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

Here’s some interesting reading. I know, I know! It’s wiki! Still,,,, interesting;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_and_Christianity

[James C. Bennett]

On the same lines:

 

  "Nay, and of hearts which follow other gods

In simple faith, their prayers arise to me,

O Kunti’s Son! though they pray wrongfully:

For I am the Receiver and the Lord

Of every sacrifice, which these know not."

 

- Bhagavad-Gita, Ch: IX, Lines: 92-96.

 

 The Bhagavad-Gita.

Chapter XII

ARJUNA: LORD! of the men who serve Thee—true in heart—
As God revealed; and of the men who serve,
Worshipping Thee Unrevealed, Unbodied, far,
Which take the better way of faith and life?
KRISHNA: Whoever serve Me—as I show Myself—	5
Constantly true, in full devotion fixed,
These hold I very holy. But who serve—
Worshipping Me The One, The Invisible,
The Unrevealed, Unnamed, Unthinkable,
Uttermost, All-pervading, Highest, Sure—	10
Who thus adore Me, mastering their sense,
Of one set mind to all, glad in all good,
These blessed souls come unto Me.
Yet, hard
The travail is for whoso bend their minds	15
To reach th’ Unmanifest. That viewless path
Shall scarce be trod by man bearing his flesh!
But whereso any doeth all his deeds,
Renouncing self in Me, full of Me, fixed
To serve only the Highest, night and day	20
Musing on Me—him will I swiftly lift
Forth from life’s ocean of distress and death
Whose soul clings fast to Me. Cling thou to Me!
Clasp Me with heart and mind! so shalt thou dwell
Surely with Me on high. But if thy thought	25
Droops from such height; if thou be’st weak to set
Body and soul upon Me constantly,
Despair not! give Me lower service! seek
To read Me, worshipping with steadfast will;
And, if thou canst not worship steadfastly,	30
Work for Me, toil in works pleasing to Me!
For he that laboreth right for love of Me
Shall finally attain! But, if in this
Thy faint heart fails, bring Me thy failure! find
Refuge in Me! let fruits of labor go,	35
Renouncing all for Me, with lowliest heart,
So shalt thou come; for, though to know is more
Than diligence, yet worship better is
Than knowing, and renouncing better still
Near to renunciation—very near—	40
Dwelleth Eternal Peace!
Who hateth nought
Of all which lives, living himself benign,
Compassionate, from arrogance exempt,
Exempt from love of self, unchangeable	45
By good or ill; patient, contented, firm
In faith, mastering himself, true to his word,
Seeking Me, heart and soul; vowed unto Me,—
That man I love! Who troubleth not his kind,
And is not troubled by them; clear of wrath,	50
Living too high for gladness, grief, or fear,
That man I love!  Who, dwelling quiet-eyed,
Stainless, serene, well-balanced, unperplexed,
Working with Me, yet from all works detached,
That man I love!  Who, fixed in faith on Me,	55
Dotes upon none, scorns none; rejoices not,
And grieves not, letting good and evil hap
Light when it will, and when it will depart,
That man I love!  Who, unto friend and foe
Keeping an equal heart, with equal mind	60
Bears shame and glory, with an equal peace
Takes heat and cold, pleasure and pain; abides
Quit of desires, hears praise or calumny
In passionless restraint, unmoved by each,
Linked by no ties to earth, steadfast in Me,	65
That man I love!  But most of all I love
Those happy ones to whom ’tis life to live
In single fervid faith and love unseeing,
Eating the blessèd Amrit of my Being!
Here endeth Chapter XII. of the Bhagavad-Gîtâ,	70
entitled “Bhakityôgô,” or “The Book of
the Religion of Faith”.

[James C. Bennett]

Forgot the last bit:

“Here shall no end be hindered, no hope marred

No loss be feared: faith—yea, a little faith—

Shall save thee from the anguish of thy dread.”

 

-          Bhagavad-Gita, Ch: II, Lines 140-142.

 

ARJUNA:

“And what road goeth he who, having faith,

Fails, Krishna! in the striving; falling back

From holiness, missing the perfect rule?

Is he not lost, straying from Brahma’s light,

Like the vain cloud, which floats ’twixt earth and Heaven

When lightning splits it, and it vanisheth?

Fain would I hear thee answer me herein,

Since, Krishna! none save thou can clear the doubt.”

 

KRISHNA:

“He is not lost, thou Son of Prithâ! No!

Nor earth, nor heaven is forfeit, even for him,

Because no heart that holds one right desire

Treadeth the road of loss! He who should fail,

Desiring righteousness, cometh at death

Unto the Region of the Just.”

 

-          Bhagavad-Gita, Ch: VI, Lines 125-138.

 

  “Of many thousand mortals, one, perchance,

Striveth for Truth; and of those few that strive—

Nay, and rise high—one only—here and there—

Knoweth Me, as I am, the very Truth.”

 

-          Bhagavad-Gita, Ch: VII, Lines 8-11.

 

  “There be those, too, whose knowledge, turned aside

By this desire or that, gives them to serve

Some lower gods, with various rites, constrained

By that which mouldeth them. Unto all such—

Worship what shrine they will, what shapes, in faith—

’Tis I who give them faith! I am content!

The heart thus asking favor from its God,

Darkened but ardent, hath the end it craves,

The lesser blessing—but ’tis I who give!

Yet soon is withered what small fruit they reap

Those men of little minds, who worship so,

Go where they worship, passing with their gods.

But Mine come unto me! Blind are the eyes

Which deem th’ Unmanifested manifest,

Not comprehending Me in my true Self!

Imperishable, viewless, undeclared,

Hidden behind my magic veil of shows,

I am not seen by all; I am not known—

Unborn and changeless—to the idle world.

But I, Arjuna! know all things which were,

And all which are, and all which are to be,

Albeit not one among them knoweth Me!”

 

-          Bhagavad-Gita, Ch: VII, Lines 69-90.

 

  “Nay, and of hearts which follow other gods

In simple faith, their prayers arise to me,

O Kunti’s Son! though they pray wrongfully:

For I am the Receiver and the Lord

Of every sacrifice, which these know not

Rightfully; so they fall to earth again!”

 

-          Bhagavad-Gita, Ch: IX, Lines 92-97.

 

 

“Yet not by the Vedas, nor from sacrifice,

Nor penance, nor gift-giving, nor with prayer

Shall any so behold, as thou hast seen!

Only by fullest service, perfect faith,

And uttermost surrender am I known

And seen, and entered into, Indian Prince!

Who doeth all for Me; who findeth Me

In all; adoreth always; loveth all

Which I have made, and Me, for Love’s sole end,

That man, Arjuna! unto Me doth wend.”

 

-          Bhagavad-Gita, Ch: XI, Lines 332-344.

 

[Salvavida]

Interesting.

If you care to delve into the real reasons, and history of Islam, I suggest “Secrets of the Koran”, by Don Richardson. He is a cultural anthropologist and former Christian missionary. I met him at a conference and was facinated how he did his research. It’s a very easy read.

He uses Islamic sources to make his case: the 109 war verses in the Koran in their context, actually demonstrate that radical Islam isn’t radical after all. It’s foundational to their doctrine.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

Most interesting! Thank you! It’s interesting to note the many similarities in doctrine, lifestyle, etc.. And it’s also interesting (that word again!) that there was a presence of Buddhists in the Holy Land prior to Christ’s birth.

[James C. Bennett]

You’re welcome!

However, the Bhagavad-Gita is Hindu scripture, not Buddhist, although both share a lot in common.

[Lera]

Amen. We are called to come out of Babylon

Mathew 24:48 But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’

24:49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards,

24:50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of,

24:51 and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

[livius]

Well, wiki can be okay.

There were various monotheistic faiths throughout the East and ME, such as Zoroastrianism in Persia. But the revelation to the Jews gave the Jews the law and the concept of God (without any mysterious Roman/Hindu style nymphs or Buddhist philosophical negationism), and Jesus then not only extended the concept, but through his death and resurrection, brought all mankind into it and gave us all an eternal future, free from ethnic connections (Judaism) or ancestral connections (Buddhism) or the threat of reincarnation (Hinduism and Buddhism).

The doctrine of the Church has always been that the Divine Revelation through Christ fulfilled pagan religions, since all of them longed for immortality and attempted to establish a moral system that would enable a person to be virtuous. I guess it’s up to Christians to tell them that...which I believe is called evangelization!

Still, I think it’s undeniable that Islam is different entirely, because it is like a reverse image of Christianity. Everything that is good to us is bad to them; this is not true of most of the developed pagan religions, not counting the really primitive cannibalistic, great-leader-centered tribal religions such as those discovered by the Spanish in the Americas. So Islam is the one “religion” (it’s really a political cult based on Arab superiority) that won’t fit in anywhere.

[armordog99]

This is what I am afraid of, that our own dearly held belief in freedom of religion will be our undoing. Of course every religion has to obey the secular laws of the country. So perhaps we can use that to smack down the muslims.

[Aevery_Freeman]

Using it as a smack-down was what I meant. Americanism is an ideology and should be used as a condition for citizenship.

[SJackson]

Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume

If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.

..................

[Eleutheria5]

That evil bigot./sarc

[KevinDavis]

It won’t.. The day we give up our belief in freedom of religion will be our undoing..

[rmlew]

Also, he has experience. His attempt to have Singapore join Malaysia ended badly. The Malays don’t like Chinese. Race rioting (Malay against Chinese) erupted with the worst incidents occuring with a rape and murder spree on Mohammed’s birthday.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[SampleMan]

That's my view of this whole issue. It is a bit like the christians saying how barbaric the muslims are for stoning adulterers or cutting of the hands of thieves. There is a more harsher punishment than all this, and it is the punishment of God. God according to christians (and muslims) will burn disbelievers in hell for eternity, that's a lot more painfull than stoning or cutting hands, which of course is temporary. Will the christians now condemn God as truly barbaric. The christians don't seem to realise that by condemning muslims for such acts, they also inadvertently condemn their own God.

The above does speak volumes. First, that "Thou shalt not judge" has no meaning in Islam. Second, that repentance has no meaning in Islam. Third, that the god of Islam, Allah, is fashioned as a vengeful bloodthirsty potentate that loves to see his minions torturing those who will not submit.

All you ever needed to know about Islam. Thanks for the post.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: The punishment of God and burning in hell

Not every Christian believes that the fires of hell are literal.

In fact, if you talk to many Christian theologians today ( be it of protestant/evangelical or Roman Catholic persuasion ) you will find a significant number who simply believe that hell is ETERNAL SEPARATION FROM GOD — the logical choice of a soul who refuses to allow God to be Lord and Master of his life. THAT’s ALL.

I believe famous preachers like Billy Graham believes this. So do many others.

Well known and respected theoilogian and teacher R.C. Sproul, for instance tells us that hell is not cruelty or torture.

He writes:

http://www.bible-researcher.com/hell6.html

“If, however, we can take any comfort in the concept of hell, we can take it in the full assurance that there will be no cruelty there. It is impossible for God to be cruel. Cruelty involves inflicting a punishment that is more severe or harsh than the crime. Cruelty in this sense is unjust. God is incapable of inflicting an unjust punishment. The Judge of all the earth will surely do what is right. No innocent person will ever suffer at His hand”

C.S. Lewis reasons thusly :

“There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, “Thy will be done,” and those to whom God says, in the end, “Thy will be done.” All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell. No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. Those who knock it is opened. “

— C.S. Lewis (The Great Divorce)

So, hell is simply the ultimate choice of a soul to depend on his own autonomy to achieve his own happiness, instead of depending on God. GOD ALLOWS THAT AND ETERNALLY SEPERATES HIMSELF AND THE REDEEMED FROM SUCH PEOPLE.

A more detailed theological treatment of this is written by Methodist theologian Jerry Walls entitled:

Hell: The Logic Of Damnation

SEE HERE : http://www.amazon.com/Hell-Damnation-Jerry-L-Walls/dp/026801096X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1297001671&sr=8-1

Walls also wrote another book entitled :

Heaven: The Logic of Eternal Joy

SEE HERE:

http://www.amazon.com/Heaven-Logic-Eternal-Jerry-Walls/dp/0195340728/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1297001762&sr=1-1-spell

Hence, we should be careful to understand what a person means in his own belief system or we end up creating straw men.

[bayouranger]

LOL!

[investigateworld]

I'd love to, but frankly, I'm too dumb to do multiple cut/pastes on the same page.

But for the record, I'm not a Mason, and I've had many hours of discussions with ex-Masons.

Some of whom had the wherewithal and the connections to do thier own research.

Some of them were 4th generation, or even longer, before they made their decision to leave that particular branch of the Illuminati.