When we speak about reformasi in Malaysia, we often think it is a political phenomenon mostly related to the Muslims and the Malays.

Yes, the volcano erupted upon the slaying of former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim. So all those who benefitted, not necessarily in terms of money, but also in terms of their life causes, departed from Umno, where he was then deputy president, and created Keadilan.

Others who were apolitical or those who did not want to be part of a political party took to the streets and became reformists. This group of people suddenly had a thought dawn upon them that they must awake and do the right thing, even if it is only to stand on a five-foot way or padang (field) and shout Undur, Mahathir, undur! (Mahathir, resign).

Other ethnic and religious groups watched this phenomenon from the peripheries. Of course, some joined the bandwagon but there were not many. Most of the Christian churches, for example, still maintain their apolitical stand and do not speak up against injustices that occur within their sight.

For instance, the Internal Security Act. None of the churches have come out publicly and strongly to demand for the abolition of the draconian ISA, although it is a law which can be considered unjust by any Church standards as it allows indefinite detention without trial.

Which makes me wonder: Is there a law in Christian history which suggests that Christians must be non-partisan and not speak up against the government of the day or not join forces with groups that are seeking to topple a dictatorship?

A Sunday churchs bulletin offers an insight. We do not have to go far to seek answers really, to wonder if we should simply watch from the peripheries or get actively involved with others to seek a better Malaysia.

This bulletin, which is distributed freely in the church, is the best I have come across so far. Others are usually like Sunday lectures; boring, to say the least.

First reformist

This white piece of paper spells out in detail how Jesus Christ could not be contained by the ruling forces of his time.

You could say Jesus Christ was one of the first reformists on this planet Earth.

The church bulletin starts by saying "Yes, Jesus is a free man, one might say, scandalously free.

"He was not blocked or enslaved by his own culture, by the ways of the Jewish people.

"He had no need to seek popularity or votes, there is no fear in him of what people might think.

"He speaks vehemently to the pharisees and the scribes, calling them hypocrites, a brood of vipers, comparing them to whitened sepulchers, which outwardly appear beautiful but inside are full of dead bones and all kinds of corruption.

"He speaks sternly to the rich (or in our day and time, we may call this group the capitalist zealots): Woe unto you the rich; woe unto you who are filled now; woe unto you who laugh now: woe unto you when everyone speaks well of you. It is harder for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God than for a camel to pass through the eye of the needle.

"Freely, he speaks to the despised Samaritan woman and asks for her water.

"Freely, he lets the woman, a victim of prostitution, wash his feet with her tears and dry them with her hair, unconcerned that people are scandalised.

"Freely, he mixes with sinners and publicans, who could not enter the temple and were locked into their guilt.

"Freely, he heals on the Sabbath day, undeterred by the fury of the pharisees.

"Freely, he hears the call of the Roman Centurion, the enemy, and answers his cry with love.

"Freely, he invites himself into the house of Zaccheus, the rich but rejected publican, ignoring the murmurings of the righteous.

"Freely, he touches the lepers and mixes with the outcasts of the society, the uncouth rabble.

"Freely, he announces that his blood is real food, his blood real drink, even though he knows people would turn away, unable to follow him any further."

Universal brothers, sisters

The larger Christian population has been silent for far too long. Every Sunday, thousands go to church and listen to a 20- or 30-minute lecture on what is good or bad, what is just and unjust and what, if any, is the shortest way to heaven.

But talk is cheap, they say, and God does not help those who do not help themselves. It is more unjust, I think, to speak about injustices but still let them happen in front of us  laws that can be truly unfair to the minority.

We know our freedoms, as far as speech and assembly are concerned, have been curtailed badly, yet we go to church on Sunday and praise God for a good government.

We make little grumbling noises when our EPF dividends go lower every year or our funds are used to bail out government cronies, or when petrol prices go up and when we need to help Telekom 'rebalance its tariffs. Otherwise, we do nothing about it.

When we are asked to write a protest letter, sign a protest form or go onto the streets to demonstrate, we fear the slightest tear gas or ISA threats.

But we then go to church on Sunday and pray, Please God, please help me make ends meet.

Well, the rulers of the day know very well we are not united in our search for freedom. In our hearts, we are prejudiced against those of other ethnic groups and religions. We are suspicious of one another and fear that we may end up under Taliban-like rule if we unite with the opposition Muslim and help them gain power.

The unity between Muslims and Christians is something the governments of all nations fear. For the unity of the two most established faiths in the world can only mean the downfall of those who have tried to keep them apart for far too long.

These are the same people who pass unjust laws in Parliament, approve price hikes for essential items at cabinet meetings despite a global slowdown, store tons of tear gas and chemical-laced water to spray on citizens whose demand for reform can only find recourse in the streets, and sign forms that send you straight to the infamous Kamunting Detention Camp on suspicion that you could be a threat to national security, without having to furnish a single shred of evidence in a court of law.

If only we could set aside this fear and freely announce to every person whoever he or she may be that we love them and that they in turn can love every person as a universal brother and sister, we can most certainly see a better future for Malaysia and all of us.

SUSAN LOONE is a malaysiakini journalist.