When Democrats are not democratic

For practitioners of a religion true to the meaning of the term religion, their faith and morality must be compatible. Their faith will demand a certain behavioural norm. Some "religions" are "cults" because they encourage and practise harmful behaviours to the members within the cults as well as those in the society at large. We will not consider their case. Some practitioners of a religion fail to live up to the norm of their faith. These are hypocrites. We will put them aside for the time being. True believers practise what they believe, what they preach. Most Chinese believers practise their faith silently. They are not expressive in words. That doesn't disqualify them as true believers. Some are more gifted in speech. They are eager to practise and preach. They are true to their faith.

The recent controversy over election reform deals the democratic camp a heavy blow. The Democratic Party is accused of striking a secret deal with the Central Government, thus betraying the pan-democratic camp in their fight for universal suffrage in 2012. The Democratic Party is trying to contain subsequent damages of massive party members quitting.
The Central Government sees huge waves of protests from post-80's and post-90's in the Hong Kong society. They are a force to reckon with. Yet, no political parties in Hong Kong are able to command them. Therefore, the Central Government is prepared to concede moderate demands from the democratic camp in order to contain the waves of protests from these youngsters. It is believed that the Central Government has received and accepted the proposal from the Democratic Party early this year. However, she needs to delay the announcement of her acceptance as close to the voting day as possible so that the other political parties will not have a chance to extract advantages from the Central Government. The Democratic Party has to cooperate with her and keep its mouth shut. This makes the Democratic Party appear to be a traitor in the fight for universal suffrage. Party members have to tolerate verbal and physical abuses from radical legislators within the chamber and hot-blooded youngsters without. Their personal safety is under threat during the annual marching tomorrow ...
Of course, there are different paths to achieve universal suffrage. The Democratic Party has chosen one which make them appear undemocratic. They have failed to practise what they preach. They have compromised the ideal they have been upholding. Alas! Compromises are political realities.

The Israelites had been warned and punished for practising idolatry. Now that they worshipped God, offered Him sacrifices and performed the required rituals, yet, Amos the prophet continued to scold them.
I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and cereal offerings, I will not accept them, and the peace offerings of your fatted beasts I will not look upon.
Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen.
But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream (Amos 5:21-24).
Even though the Israelites performed their rituals, God wanted no part of them. What God wanted was justice and righteousness. God wanted their actions to be compatible with their faith.
Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; and so the LORD, the God of hosts, will be with you, as you have said.
Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the LORD, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph (Amos 5:14-15).
Life was simpler in ancient Israel. Seek good and God would be with them. God loves charity more than sacrifices.
Modern politics is a game with a different set of rules. The Chinese Communist Party is comfortable with only a castrated version of democracy. She will never let go her grip on the power of the Central Government. Western democracy is not her cup of tea. Hers is a different set of good and evil. The game will play on. The Democratic Party is no more than a pawn in her chess set.

Dear Lord, You are our Universal King. The Central Government and all other governments are but pieces in Your chess set. I pray that Your rules of game prevail. Amen.