DEC 5 — Human rights is good. But it cannot be the ultimate aim of humanity. Surely there must be a bigger being, a bigger entity, a bigger power than human beings themselves. Could it be that God (by any name) is bigger than all humanity combined? Could be. Interesting theory — that is, if you believe in God.

I am no student of theology, but I believe no religion in this world proposes that its tenets are to be superceded by human-crafted ones. I believe also that each religion promotes good (maybe Godly) rights of its believers.

So, if human rights, as espoused by its fervent proponents, contradicts the very tenets of religion, these very proponents cannot claim they support religion, too. In this case, I guess, one cannot be both. It’s one or the other.

For example (just an example, okay), if a person declares that he/she believes in Islam, but is all for marriages between men or between women, that would be having his/her cake and eating it too, right?

Does the Bible allow these kinds of marriages? Some might, but I don’t think the Catholic Church has allowed it yet (enlighten me).

The same goes for other religions.

Do their tenets allow blanket approval for the demands of human rights crusaders?

I am sure that all religions aim to protect and care for their believers. Many of the rights claimed by the crusaders are probably provided for by all religions. Maybe something has gone wrong somewhere.

After all, the implementers are merely human.

So, human rights crusaders must draw a line somewhere. A line that clearly denotes what they can or cannot demand. They must also acknowledge that when they cross this line, someone could get hurt.

It’s probably a human right somewhere in this world to not get hurt.

A few days ago, the Dewan Rakyat rejected an emergency motion to condemn the demands of the Coalition of Malaysian NGOs for the Universal Periodic Review Process (Comango).

In presenting the motion, Datuk Seri Noh Omar (BN-Tanjung Karang) said the Comango demands were detrimental to the sanctity of Islam, and also that human rights should not supercede religion and culture.

Noh said that the Comango demands were promoting LGBT rights and undermining the position of Islam in the federal constitution. Deputy speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee agreed with Noh that the matter was of public importance and allowed him to read his motion.

However, he then rejected the motion on grounds that it was not urgent.

The Selangor Legislative Assembly also rejected an opposition motion to register an objection to the demands of Comango.

Speaker Hannah Yeoh rejected the motion, brought by Opposition Chief Datuk Mohd Shamsudin Lias, saying that it was not urgent and could be postponed.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom had earlier said that being blindly engrossed with human rights as espoused by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights may cause discordance in society.

He said certain quarters ignored universal values as they had more faith in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations.

Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has also said that his party’s stand in objecting to Comango’s demands has always been consistent.

He said: “We object to it, and we have said it before. In fact, this will be raised in the Pakatan meeting.”

How his partners in the PR will react remains to be seen.

As I said earlier, one cannot claim to be religious and at the same time fully support these demands of human rights crusaders.

Human rights have been the creation of the much-more-advanced Western “civilisation”, where they have successfully implemented the separation of Church (religion) and state.

Has that happened here in Malaysia? No. Will it happen? Going by the current scenario, not very likely.

So something has to give. Either the crusaders give up some of their demands, or the government fully separates itself from religion.

The latter doesn’t look very likely. There’ll be hell to pay (literally, probably) if that were to happen.

So, the hell-bent crusaders must consider toning down and trying to live with the reality of the day.

Fanning the flames of hell would only burn themselves, here on earth.

I am just saying this. I am not promoting violence of any kind.

For the record, I am anti-violence — except against the stupid drivers loose on our streets, but that’s a take for another day.

* Zahrin is an editor with The Malay Mail. He can be reached at zahrin@mmail.com.my

** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malay Mail Online.