Religion makes no excuse for celebration

Hiya, Earthlings

The writing of this post was postponed, so... Happy After Office, wherever you are.

Nice to see you there, and it is nice to share something with you. I have another piece submitted to the Jakarta Globe again, called "Religion is No Excuse for Hypocrisy". It is good to have something to discuss -- beside a topic that I currently develop personally towards a certain individual named... -- It's been a while since I haven't submitted a piece to the talkback. The last submission was Nov 1, and I wrote it around late October. That made almost 2 months of hiatus! Yup, hiatus of not writing in talkback... and please don't make me mention about my personal project.

Carry on,

I am thankful to get my piece submitted. And the editor has been kind enough to me towards my misfit grammar or expression and overpowered emotion. I understand his concern completely, but I am surprised the article missed out some points of what I am trying to say. Although I believe I have been careful enough with my writing. I don't want to spoon-feed anyone of my ideology. There's nothing to force. In fact it is more of an opinion than an ideology. This is too lousy to be called an 'ideology'.

However, I am not upset, and by stating this, I mean it... I am not at all. I know the consequences that my work is going to be edited somehow, and I accept that. It has been the fifth time and I am used to it.  In the other way around, I am thankful to get my piece submitted and approved without any further due. I understand it takes big responsibility to approve articles in order to make it be read to public. In a way, editors are playing a huge role in shaping society's mind. It is a one hell of a task.

So, without any further due, I haven't satisfied of what people might read in the talkback. So, I am taking responsibility for myself to post the first draft of this article entitled Religion Makes No Excuse for Celebration in this personal blog of mine.

I need to remind everyone, I just want to share a point of view. Maybe there are some points I am going to say are making you uncomfortable, but I have no intention to offense nor make bad impression of certain group of people and person. And if you read this post and perhaps, you'd developed some kind of thinking, if it's discrimination please don't... there are many friends who are still considerate and tolerating differences.

Religion makes no excuse for celebration

I nearly left the office when I found a talkback reading in Jakarta Globe, “Why Some Muslim Women Don't Wear Hijab” I notice the article was published many months back, but it still catches attention since it has been featured on “Popular on Facebook” feed.

I decided to write another talkback as a response, because I find the topic is somehow intriguing for me personally as a modern-day global citizen and a holder of Islamic faith at the same time. And maybe, I am not the only person who feels this to be relatable.

Last Christmas, my friends and I went to a public shopping mall. Then we spotted a very unique Christmas tree made of L.E.D lights. I really wanted to give a group shoot by the tree, until one of my friend halted. “I do not want to take a picture near Christmas tree.”

When I asked why, he replied, “I don’t even want to go near it. It is forbidden.”

I frowned to him long enough and replied back, “Haven’t you just drunk last night? I know you don’t seem to perform daily prayers… And are you telling me that you are afraid of a freakin Christmas tree?”

I am not lecturing, nor being “I am more Islamic Than You” kind of person. Believe me, I am still learning too. But I am just stating the fact that this is the face of religious people in our society. They believe more into superstition rather than the religion.

Value-speaking, my friend had committed one of the great sins that a muslim can do, which is drinking and missing prayers, and yet, his concern is less logical. I assume there are still many people out there who have the same patterns of thinking.

Now what are you views about religion?

For me, religion is a form of discipline. Just like vegan who will refuse to eat meat. Religion is a discipline to achieve tranquility and balance. As a believer of Islam, I don’t mind avoiding alcohol and keeping five time prayers because I feel good doing it and it does good things back to me.

Religion is not something that is forced. That’s why I cannot say that I have not yet felt comfortable wearing hijab, and I don’t see this as a form of rebellion. This is liberality and who are you—who are they to judge? If as a Muslim, I am to believe in the Almighty.

What happens here is that, people are confusing over a priority of deed.  Maybe,  our population are deadly serious to be seen as religious. But they cannot manage the basic principle and practice that are to perform, and they seek to care about little thing that needs the least attention—they start to correct other people, people of their own, or even other religion.

Now, Christmas is coming and I do not want to hear any nonsense Oh—I—am—not—gonna—take—a—picture—there… Instead, capture pictures of Christmas trees as many as you can, and share presents! Blow trumpet on New Year’s Eve! Set up fireworks on Chinese New Year! Because neither differences and religion make excuses to a uniting celebration.