Wise king Solomon was absolutely right. "To everything, there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven."And just before sentencing a 20-year old boy, who doesn't even qualify to vote or watch RA movies in Singapore, to 9 years in jail and 18 strokes of the cane is not the time to be quoting Ecclesiastes. In fact, I think it is downright cruel. I hardly think that he will be thinking that our God is love when the cane lands on his bare flesh.
If your heart really goes out to the boy, for the the injustices and disadvantages that he has suffered in his life, you should have tempered judgment with compassion and mercy.
There's a time for quoting scriptures, but just before dropping a bombshell like this is not one of them.
2 comments:
This is a case of preaching one thing and doing another. Of course we understand that he has to comply to a harsh judicial environment, and under the watchful eyes of the govt that has zero tolerance to illegal gun possession or use, the judge has little choice but to impose an 'appropriate' sentence. At least he can be more compassionate by cushioning his hefty 'blow' on this young man.
I am not saying that he is insincere when he said. "My heart hurts for you etc. etc." I just think that the timing of his sermon is inappropriate and of cold comfort to the young man. In his heart, he is probably saying in Cantonese) 'Mao hook lou shu kar chi pei' (猫哭老鼠假慈悲) - in other word, please don't shed crocodile tears for me.
Post a Comment