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[h=1]DEAR TRS, THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA IS STILL TRYING TO SMEAR FERNVALE RESIDENTS AGAIN![/h]
Post date:
22 Jan 2015 - 10:33am
In contrast to Straits Times article, this article published in Zaobao has grossly insinuated that we are trying to "politicize" this Columbarium issue while still label it as "NIMBY" problem. We want to reiterate that RIGHT FROM THE START, it has always been stated as an issue of "Corporatization of Religion" and this can be seen from the Dialogue Session held with MP Dr Lam. The very first question raised is exactly about this issue, never about "NIMBY" or "Resale Value"!
We hereby reiterate that "Corporatization of Religion" itself, is a NATIONAL ISSUE which is not created by us but URA and HDB themselves. If bringing up such important issue was to be seen as "politicizing" the issue, so be it.
It is also another bad attempt to smear us by using isolated view from some unknown residents to imply that we do not want to live in Sengkang for long and would want to sell off our flats and move nearer to our parents, thus resale value is important issue. That is a blatant unethical attempt to paint us black by one broad stroke!
We have been sharing beautiful photos of Fernvale among ourselves and how we wish this matter could be resolved amicably so that we can live in such beautiful environment without the negativity of columbarium. We detest any persistent attempts by the Main Stream Media to smear and paint us black in such crude ways.
The reporter seems to suggest that it is because Young Couples do not pray or pay respect to their parents who are deceased and thus they do not think columbarium is important. It also says that they are "Pantang" of living next to a columbarium. This is an absolutely unfounded reasoning. Some of us have shared and shown great respect to our parents with full adoration. However, it doesn't mean that we would want to live next to a cemetery!
It is only fair to say that most senior people of our parents' generation, who would pray to ancestors dutifully according to traditions, are more "PANTANG" in choosing a place to live NEXT to any cemetery! Thus, such attempt to insinuate that we are in-filial is totally unwarranted and demeaning. As a Chinese reporter who supposedly know Chinese traditions better, the author should know that no Chinese will willingly choose to live to any cemetery and that doesn't mean that these people are not observing filial piety! The author should also know, from the Chinese perspective, 阴宅 (house for the dead) and 阳宅 (house for the living) should be separated.
Furthermore, as we have repeatedly pointed out, the planned columbarium is so commercialized as "Premium Funeral Service" that the pricing of the niche is FAR TOO HIGH for HDB dwellers like us. How does this make sense to whether we observe Chinese traditions of praying or paying respect to the deceased?
From a religious perspective, for a place to house niche of ashes of the dead, it is only right to have proper management by religious experts who can make sure that the dead could rest in peaceful manner.
We truly regret such substandard and vicious attempt by the Chinese report to smear us again in such tactical manner.
Article first appeared on: https://www.facebook.com/columbariumisabadidea/photos/a.759353854113168....
Post date:
22 Jan 2015 - 10:33am
In contrast to Straits Times article, this article published in Zaobao has grossly insinuated that we are trying to "politicize" this Columbarium issue while still label it as "NIMBY" problem. We want to reiterate that RIGHT FROM THE START, it has always been stated as an issue of "Corporatization of Religion" and this can be seen from the Dialogue Session held with MP Dr Lam. The very first question raised is exactly about this issue, never about "NIMBY" or "Resale Value"!
We hereby reiterate that "Corporatization of Religion" itself, is a NATIONAL ISSUE which is not created by us but URA and HDB themselves. If bringing up such important issue was to be seen as "politicizing" the issue, so be it.
It is also another bad attempt to smear us by using isolated view from some unknown residents to imply that we do not want to live in Sengkang for long and would want to sell off our flats and move nearer to our parents, thus resale value is important issue. That is a blatant unethical attempt to paint us black by one broad stroke!
We have been sharing beautiful photos of Fernvale among ourselves and how we wish this matter could be resolved amicably so that we can live in such beautiful environment without the negativity of columbarium. We detest any persistent attempts by the Main Stream Media to smear and paint us black in such crude ways.
The reporter seems to suggest that it is because Young Couples do not pray or pay respect to their parents who are deceased and thus they do not think columbarium is important. It also says that they are "Pantang" of living next to a columbarium. This is an absolutely unfounded reasoning. Some of us have shared and shown great respect to our parents with full adoration. However, it doesn't mean that we would want to live next to a cemetery!
It is only fair to say that most senior people of our parents' generation, who would pray to ancestors dutifully according to traditions, are more "PANTANG" in choosing a place to live NEXT to any cemetery! Thus, such attempt to insinuate that we are in-filial is totally unwarranted and demeaning. As a Chinese reporter who supposedly know Chinese traditions better, the author should know that no Chinese will willingly choose to live to any cemetery and that doesn't mean that these people are not observing filial piety! The author should also know, from the Chinese perspective, 阴宅 (house for the dead) and 阳宅 (house for the living) should be separated.
Furthermore, as we have repeatedly pointed out, the planned columbarium is so commercialized as "Premium Funeral Service" that the pricing of the niche is FAR TOO HIGH for HDB dwellers like us. How does this make sense to whether we observe Chinese traditions of praying or paying respect to the deceased?
From a religious perspective, for a place to house niche of ashes of the dead, it is only right to have proper management by religious experts who can make sure that the dead could rest in peaceful manner.
We truly regret such substandard and vicious attempt by the Chinese report to smear us again in such tactical manner.
Article first appeared on: https://www.facebook.com/columbariumisabadidea/photos/a.759353854113168....
