Thursday 19 November 2009

Bungklang Bungkling: OATH

Taken from ‘Bungklang Bungkling’, ‘Sumpah’, a column by I Wayan Juniartha, as published in Bali Post, Sunday, 15th November 2009. Translated by Putu Semiada


O A T H


God has been given many titles by human beings, like ‘The Almighty God, Sang Hyang Widhi, Allah, Susuhunan, etc. It might not have made God happy as often His name is used by human beings for their our interest.

God has even often been blamed.

When natural disasters happen, such as earthquake, landslide, storm, human beings say that God is angry. They might think that the God suffers from high blood pressure and easily runs amuck. Even when He does, He would destroy all bad people; such as corruptors, criminals, the big mouth Legislative Assembly members, bad high rank officials, or mediocre cinetrons.

It happens that when there is a train accident, or when a ship sinks, a bus crashes, all would says that it is all because of the divine decree. Who do they think God is? Don’t they ever think that things happen because of human error? Who is texting while driving? Who steals people’s money so that we don’t have enough budget to fix the railways, or who builds the roads which easily damage due to poor workmanship in spite of big budget involved?

It is indeed much easier blaming the fate or blaming the God, rather than admitting your own incapability of being a driver, or a high ranking official.

God has a ‘headache’ for His named is being used all the time.

The Chief of Police who is being accused of receiving bribes swears in the name of God that he hasn’t received any bribes.

The Police Chief who investigates the KPK chairmen swears in the name of the God that the case is not a conspiracy.

The holiness of the God’s name has been manipulated even though nothing is dedicated to Him.

Do they think that people will buy it when they swear in the name of the God. Do they think that when they clarify something with tears falling down from their eyes, the people will give them mercy. They might not know that people are getting smart now. The conclusion is: "Nobody believes a liar...even when he is telling the truth!"

The high ranking officials and the Police Generals seems to prefer taking an oath in the name of the God than trying to collect legal proof as it is safer; you don’t have to be responsible legally even when you are guilty.

It is safer indeed for the Generals to manipulate God’s name as the God will never check or open a press conference and tell the public that the Generals have lied or report them to the police.

It is much safer for them, as it is quite impossible for God to come down to earth and report the Generals to the police for having used His name.

Even if God does this, he might be charged as a ‘suspect’ and sent to jail instead, as a witness.

It is much easier for them to take oaths. They just need to speak. They don’t need to show their wealth or their money in the bank, nor allow any independent team to check their house, or their properties or garage.

By manipulating God’s name they don’t need to show any evidence.

We should stop them taking an oath in the name of God. They should stop talking bullshit and try to clarify how they each can have 5 cars in their garage, big savings in the bank, three huge houses, etc. They might be nervous, though.

Taking an oath in the name of God is nothing if you are still greedy.