Seemingly, it seems that the definition of perception has played a big part in my life than it ever has right now. Perception is defined as the understanding and cognition of the mind, immediate or intuitive recognition or appreciation. To me, we are all given the right and freedom to our own perception. No one is brainwashed to believe things blindly. Our perception is a result of our free will and, however warped it may be, we have to be responsible for it.
Recently i know an acquaintance who takes it upon her to decide and suggest to me how i should be seeing things and how my perception is warped. Ironically, this friend uses her background in psychology to define what can and cannot be faulted. I’m going to put it out there for all my friends who have studied psychology intensively or just on a basic level. When someone makes a statement and mocks another religion (whether that someone has a background in the religion in qns or not) can they be faulted for it?
If you ask me, i say YES. When someone makes a statement, whether they are using their personal background or other forms of it, they have to be responsible for it. Just because you are gathering from your past experience does not make any of what you say justified. A question to anyone reading this post. We as the general public are not trained SPECIALLY in psychology so i will use layman terms. If someone makes a statement based on his past experience (be it one which is sexist, racist or simply wrong), should they bear responsibility for it?
To the acquaintance who tried to overshadow me and my perception with her psychology background. I have something to apologize for. I apologize that you education failed you. Because i thought that you occupation required you to listen and not judge others. Clearly i’m mistakened. And i feel fortunate that other psychologist and counsellors i know are nothing like you. You preach constantly about everyone’s right. But yet here you are time and time again telling me how i SHOULD be thinking. The world does not revolve around you and i DONT have to share the same perception as you. Don’t take it upon your god given right to lecture me about perception. At least mine isn’t that warped that i cant see when someone is blatantly insulting and mocking. FYI. if i am on my way to self destruction because i refuse to share the same perception as you, then you know what, i’ll see you right at the detonation point, because your ideals and perception are just as warped.
For those who think i’m simply against christians or catholics, allow me to clarify. I do not criticize or QUESTION other people’s right to their own religion, beliefs and faiths. I think everyone should be given the leeway to practice their own rituals and faith however they please. Personally, i’m atheist. I don’t believe in the existence of a higher being. Cosmic energy, maybe. But not a higher being. I do not side any religion specifically. I do and have told people off for disrespecting other people’s religion. No one religion is better than any other.
With regards to the video i posted on my facebook. I stand by my decision. That pastor has no respect for another religion. Using his half-knowledge to preach and make inappropriate jabs at another religion is unbecoming of a pastor. Jesus isnt the only truth in the world. For those of you who have never heard it, this video of pastor mark ng from New Creations Church can be found all over online.
For now, NCC has released an apology and said they’ll be making sure the sermon doesn’t further distribute. Seems right but i wonder if the member of the public will accept it. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
Johnathon
