Disparity

There is a disparity between the top 20% of high income household and bottom 20% of low income household. The disparity is big if narrow to top 10% and bottom 10%. If down to 5%, disparity is huge. If 1%, the disparity is humongous. The poor live in a one-room rental HDB flat. The rich probably live in a bungalow with a swimming pool and most likely that's not their only house. Karl Marx hated this disparity and devised communism. It is this disparity that mirrors how wonderful Jesus' love is. He died for all of us regardless who we are and because of this love I despise this disparity and trying my best to treat people fairly. And also because of this disparity, I firmly believe in democracy where everyone gets only one vote.

In John 12:1-7, we know Judas objected Mary using expensive perfume to anoint Jesus and told Jesus we should have sold it and give it to the poor. If we read Matthew 26:6-13 and Mark 14:3~9, we know some of the disciples are also involved. Jesus did not rebuke Judas' idea, but He did tell His disciples not to bother Mary and said, "she has done a beautiful thing to me" which was for His burial.

Why am I bring this up? Recently, I know of a church almost complete their 12 million church building. If I was a member of that church, I would vote against it. I am not against building a church structure, it's that church building is the most under-utilized building and even with a kindergarten, it's still pretty much under-utilized. We must weigh in our options for us and surrounding community. A lavish church building for Jesus seems valid as this is what Mary done, but I am a hypocrite and Judas in disguise. The church should have use the money to set up a fund to help the poor.

The church I know of went through a "referendum" and votes were unanimous to scrap existing building and rebuild a new one. No matter how much I disagree to their church building project. I have to respect their decision because they went through a democratic process which is fair and square.

Why am I talking all this? Democracy is not perfect. Even in the house of God, people do not agree to each other, but one thing is loud and clear: helping poor is on top of Jesus' list.

Yes, democracy sometimes brings polarization and may create gridlock for the government, but isn't disparity of rich and poor a form of "polarization". If disparity continues to wide, people will feel more discontent which leads to unhappiness and that's not good for the society. But one thing is clear: we are here "to build a democratic society based on justice and equality so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation."