KUCHING: Sarawak Pentecostal Evangelism Society (SPES) suggests to the Catholic Church that it should use the word “Tuhan” in its weekly news bulletin, Herald, to replace the word “Allah” now that the nation’s highest court had ruled against its usage in the publication.
SPES president Jameson Kimat said Christians should not lose hope just because they had been prohibited from using the word “Allah” but instead be stronger spiritually by striving to have a closer relationship with God.
“It is not necessary that we must call Him Allah. We can address Him as Saviour, Redeemer or Creator because for as long as we obey His teachings our God will listen to us and be with us in all situations,” he said.
Kimat said Catholics or Christians from other denominations have to accept the Federal Court’s ruling no matter how much they detested it.
“I can imagine how most Christians feel about the Court ruling. I know some must be disappointed and angry but Christians must remain calm and be prepared to forgive.
“This is the most beautiful part of Christianity. This is exactly what Jesus Christ has taught His followers when He said love your enemy as you love yourself and when people slap your right cheek give also the left cheek,” he said quoting some of the verses from the Bible.
Kimat suggested that in their respective prayer meetings Christians from all denominations pray to God to forgive those who offended them just like what Jesus did when He was crucified on the cross.
Kimat said his statement was not attempt to preach but it was issued more out of concern that some Christians may be too emotional and act nastily following the judgment.
“Let us all pray that such a thing will never happen,” he concluded.