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Book title: "God Loves Gay"
Authur: Oyoung Wen Fong
Language: Chinese
Publisher: 3nity
Price: RM28
Available: Popular Bookstores & Mentor Bookstores
"God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve", this is what you would hear from a anti-gay Christian who protests gay love. However, Oyoung explains the bible did not condemn homosexuality. God created Adam and Eve, but the Lord did not order Adam to love Eve. The Lord in fact bring all animals for Adam to choose as partner and asked him to name all of them. As non
was chosen by Adam, the Lord then took one rib out of Adam when he fell asleep and created Eve. When Adam awaken, he saw Eve and want her to be his partner. Oyoung says, He, being the Almighty, would have used his power to order Adam to love a woman, but why brought him all the animals to choose in the first place? The point is even God respect Adam's choice, why can't people respect and accept gay people's choice for love? Further more there was only one Eve to choose, what if God also created Steve?
Most religious leaders would use Genesis Chapter 18 & 19, the stories of Sodom and Gomorrah to prove that
God punished homosexuals. However, Oyoung questions
were all the people, old and young, outside Lot's
house homosexuals? If yes, then why Lot was stupid
enough to offer his two daughters for exchange in
order for the people not to hurt his guests(the
angels)? The inccident only tells us about threaten to
sexual abuse (God knows they could be from
heterosexuals) to the two unwelcomed guests (the
angels). In ancient time, it was a common practice to
humilliate enermies with carnal punishment. Further
more homosexual does not equal sexual abuse. There are
a lot sexual abuse in heterosexuals, can we also call
heterosexual as a sin? Or more correctly sexual abuse
as a sin?
Thought provoking? Logic?
"God Loves Gay" is a provocative, controversy book ever published in Malaysia. It provokes and questions
bluntly towards some religious beliefs and practices.
It strives to seek the truth of bible. Who will go to
hell? The one who love another being or the one who
misinterprete God's love and disapprove one of God's
creations to love?
I am not a Christian, but I can understand the book as
Oyoung put it in a very clear and logical manner. His
sociology and theology background allows him to go
indepth research and presents the readers with facts
and datas comprehensive enough to argue with
conventional religion instituitions. He boldly
challenges religious bodies to have open dialogues
with him, as he strongly believes, "The truth shall
prevail in all debates, only the fault will need to
hide behind domineering power to uphold unspeakable
stand". "Is it the truth that we are afraid to find
out or the stand that we are afraid to give way?"
I personally like the last part where he responds to
all the common arguments throw at homosexuals. Oyoung
answers in a witty, no mercy yet very true manner. I
find those are handy guides for responding to
homophobes. We should all keep a copy along side.
Introduction about the authur:
Oyoung We Fong is a New York based journalist for Sin
Chew Daily News. He was given scholorships by Sin Chew
7 years ago and now pursuing his PhD. He is in the
process of publishing his second book on homosexuality
- "Gays Love God", which will be launched in Malaysia
in 14 August 2005.
He admitted that he was a homophobes who had learnt
his lessons not less than a hard way. 30 people
including one gay couple died in his church when
someone burn it. He saw true love in the gay couple.
Oyoung is well-known among Chinese community for his
outspoken, courages and blunt way of writings, who
frequently contribute articles to fight for justice.
His first open annoucement to support homosexual was
published in Sin Chew Daily News, in his column "Under
The Stutue of liberty" in July 2004. He began to
receive numerous furious threats from various religius
groups in the country. Nevertheless, he continues to
write articles to suppot homosexuality. This is very
rear from a very strong Christian background married
guy.
I am really touched by what he, his wife and his
Malaysian fellowship members did for the community
during his book launch. There was a debate between the
panel and some conservative church representatives
during his book launch at the Selangor Chinese
Assembly Hall early this year(reported by NTV7 Chinese
news). The book was supported by Pastor Gan, published
by 3nity with the help of Joseph Foo.
You can find the book at all Popular Bookstores or
Mentor Bookstores.
"God Loves Gay" book launched
http://www.3nitydesign.com/update/2005jan_glg/01.htm
"God Loves Gay" art design and posters
http://www.art4soul.org/work/glg/01.htm
Reviewed by,
Eric Goh
p/s: Look out for Oyoung's latest article on Sin Chew
Daily News this Sunday, 3 July. He is writing about
the gay parade in US.
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