35B-2000 21042000

Date: 21 April 2000

Location: Xian Sheng’s house, Taman Melawati

Table of Contents

(A) Human beings are not born with Original Sin.
  1. Sister Wong Chew Peng stated that we do not carry our past sins. Upon death, we receive our due punishment in Hell for our sins, and when we eventually reincarnate, we do not bring our past sins into our new lives. She asked Xian Sheng if humans inherit the “Original Sin”1 as taught in Christian theology.
  2. Xian Sheng clarified Sister Wong’s point, stating that a person can only start a new life on Earth after finishing their punishment in Hell for the sins of their past lives. They then reincarnate to begin anew.
  3. Xian Sheng pointed out that the Christian notion of Original Sin began with Adam and Eve and requested that we not pursue this matter further. Nevertheless, Sister Wong seeks an explanation from the Baitiangong perspective.
  4. Xian Sheng reiterated that anyone reincarnated into the world will not carry their past sins. They have already suffered for their sins in Hell and are given the chance to begin life anew. He asked, “What sins would they carry into their new lives?” and answered that a reincarnated person would not carry any past sins.
  5. Xian Sheng briefly clarified that Original Sin is a story from the Book of Genesis, indicating that humans inherit the original sin of Adam and Eve, who were tempted by the serpent to eat the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
  6. Xian Sheng remarked that there are many snakes in the world, but have we ever seen one tempting us to eat fruit? He joked that the snakes would be fortunate that he did not eat them instead.
(B) Human beings are born inherently evil, but not sinful.
  1. Sister Wong Chew Peng mentioned that Xian Sheng disagreed with our China ACC (Area Counsellor Coordinator) on the phrase “人之初，性本善,” which translates to “Human beings are born inherently good.” Xian Sheng reaffirmed that human beings are born inherently evil, as in the phrase “人之初性本恶.”2
  2. Xian Sheng explained that although humans are born inherently evil, this is not due to their past sins. Rather, it is because of their inherent evil nature that humans are reincarnated. Their souls have suffered in Hell for their previous lives’ sins, but their evil nature remains. Therefore, the soul will keep reincarnating until they cease to reincarnate altogether on the plane of Earth.
  3. Although humans are inherently evil in nature, this does not necessarily mean they are sinful. Conversely, if “人之初，性本善” translates to “humans are born inherently good,” then children do not need to be taught or disciplined as they should naturally be good in nature.3
  4. Xian Sheng explained that having an evil nature does not mean one is sinful, because the soul possesses an evil consciousness.
  5. Once the soul is bound to a body, it cannot act independently. Together with the body, the soul learns how to live life, which is why adults must teach children in their early stages of life.
  6. Xian Sheng agreed with the phrase “聖人都有錯,” which translates to “Even sages make mistakes.” People do not realise that sages are also reincarnated. They can come up with that phrase, but they do not fully understand the reason for it. Making mistakes, however, is not sinful.
  7. Xian Sheng reiterated that evil itself is not sinful. However, when evil manifests as actions, it becomes a sin. Without actions, having an evil nature alone is not sinful.
  8. Humans are born inherently evil, but they are not necessarily sinful. In Christianity, Jesus says in Matthew 5:28 (NRSVUE), “But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Xian Sheng was uncertain about which U.S. President confessed to lusting after many beautiful women and desiring to have sex with them, yet did not act on these desires. Consequently, the President questioned how he could be considered sinful.4
  9. Brother Chong claimed that the President was sinful because of his lustful thoughts. Xian Sheng immediately refuted this, pointing out that the President had not carried out the physical act of his lust.
  10. Xian Sheng quoted the 3rd Spiritual Guideline, “Think Good, See Good, Hear Good, Speak Good, and Do Good,” explaining that these principles must function together to produce positive results. Similarly, having bad thoughts without acting on them through bad speech or actions is not sinful. Xian Sheng recalled reading in a newspaper or magazine where the President remarked that it is natural to look at a pretty woman, and he agreed with the President’s statement.
  11. Nevertheless, Xian Sheng warned against continuously thinking about something bad until it leads to action. If we let bad thoughts turn into actions, we will commit wrongdoing.
  12. Xian Sheng gave an example: If we continually think about killing someone when the opportunity arises, we might unconsciously express it aloud. Without realising it, we could subconsciously say, “I’ll kill that person.” Xian Sheng then asked, “Have you committed a sin by speaking these words?”
(C) Chinese vulgarities especially “diào nǐ mā” is bad.
  1. On the subject of speaking bad, Chinese people frequently use swear words particularly “吊你妈 (diào nǐ mā)” which translates to “f*** your mother.” Xian Sheng questioned whether they would actually f*** someone’s mother. This is another example of speaking without thinking which had become habitual to these Chinese people. Xian Sheng emphasised that swearing is bad.
  2. Xian Sheng recounted an incident from his past involving a Mahjong game between two of his sworn brothers. Throughout the game, they continuously exchanged profanities. Xian Sheng asked, “What would happen if these two sworn brothers f*** each other’s mothers?” They were utterly oblivious to the vulgarity of their words, using them out of habit and without any thought.
  3. They would swear if they drew a dead tile or swear at the player who dealt them a dead tile throughout the entire game.
  4. Similarly, people often swear at each other in coffee shops. Xian Sheng asked the followers if they thought these words even registered in their minds before being uttered from their mouths. He remarked that such words are uttered automatically, with no thought given to them.
  5. Xian Sheng asked Brother Phuah if he also encountered such people, saying that their behaviour is so common that it had become unbearable for him.
  6. When Xian Sheng was the Discipline Master at Sek. Men. Kepong, he would cane students on their backsides for using profanities at school. He recalled an incident from when he first started teaching there, where he overheard a young male student shouting “f*** your mother” at a female student. Infuriated, he apprehended the student, instructed the female student to bring her mother to school, and threatened to strip the foul-mouthed student so that he could do what he had said to the female student’s mother. The student cried out that he did not want to. Xian Sheng reprimanded him, questioning why he would say so if he did not actually mean it.
  7. Xian Sheng gave the student a choice: choose the cane or choose the mother option. If the student chose to act out his “f*** your mother” option, he would be spared the caning. The student begged to be caned instead. Xian Sheng reminded him that the choice was his and then proceeded to bend him over a ping pong table, and literally caned the f*** words out of him.
  8. Xian Sheng requested a teacher in the teachers’ lounge to observe the caning and subsequently sign the report he would prepare. The teacher readily consented, being aware of the situation. With this single act of discipline, Xian Sheng resolved the problem of vulgar language among students at Sek. Men. Kepong.
  9. After Xian Sheng left the high school, vulgar language made a comeback. When Xian Sheng visited the school again, the canteen operator informed him that the words “nǐ mā” were being spoken rampantly throughout the school, in stark contrast to when he was teaching, during which no students dared to utter such words.
  10. Xian Sheng explained that offensive language has become so entrenched in primary schools that it has become a staple part of everyday speech. Even at home, offensive language is prevalent, with parents using such words as part of the vocabulary. He noted that some fathers would scold their children by shouting “f*** your mother.” Xian Sheng humorously remarked that he doesn’t mind since their children’s mother is their wife, but he finds it strange that parents use such foul language when reprimanding their children.
  11. Xian Sheng concluded that using bad language, specifically swear words, is not sinful. However, it is a bad habit that we need to change. As it is bad, we must find a way to gradually change it.
(D) Many parents teach their children to lie.
  1. Xian Sheng reiterates that he does not believe in the Chinese phrase “人之初，性本善,” which translates to “Human beings are born inherently good.” If this phrase were true, children would not exhibit bad behaviour.
  2. Xian Sheng emphasised that children at a young age can behave badly. They do so by intentionally defying their parents. When told not to press something, they deliberately press it. When told not to do something, they deliberately do it. They want to see how their parents would react. Parents underestimate how cunning children can be.
  3. Brother Chong Hoi Peng asked Xian Sheng about children who emulate their mothers’ wrongdoings and persist in wrongdoing from childhood to adulthood. Xian Sheng replied that the mother bears the sin because she taught her children to do bad.
  4. Xian Sheng mentioned that it is difficult to comprehend that many parents teach their children to lie. He then asked the followers, “I do not know whether you have changed since joining Baitiangong?” He reiterated, “Many parents teach their children to lie.”
  5. Xian Sheng stated that he opposes lying and teaches his children to tell the truth. He noted that he told his son, Brother Chew Pit King, to always tell the truth. This contrasts with many parents who teach their children to lie.
  6. Xian Sheng provided an example he personally witnessed. The son went over to a neighbour’s tree to pick fruit and, when caught, he lied about stealing them, just as his parents had taught him. His parents then came out, loudly accusing the neighbour of trying to frame their son and threatening to fight. The son became the cause of the neighbourhood dispute because his mother had taught him to lie.
  7. In a normal family that prays to the CREATOR, the mother would apologise to the neighbour for her son picking their fruit. All it takes is a sincere apology to resolve the situation, but some parents choose to save face, leading to greater problems.
  8. It is the fault of the parents who taught their children to lie, rather than the children being inherently mischievous. The problem only worsens as they grow into adulthood. Xian Sheng recounted a true event from India where a mother visited her son on death row. During the visit, he bit her ear and refused to let go. It was only after being sentenced to death that he realised it was his mother who had instilled the bad values leading him to this fate. She had taught him to cheat and steal throughout his life, which ultimately led him to his day of reckoning. In his final act of spite, he bit off her ear, blaming her for ruining his life.
  9. As children grow older, they eventually begin to recognise the truth. Xian Sheng warned parents that if a day comes when their children blame them for having taught them wrongly, the parents will be in deep trouble. Xian Sheng stated that such parents are undeniably sinful. He concluded that it is the parents who teach their children to be either good or bad.
(E) Why children do not need to be taught to be bad.
  1. Xian Sheng asked the followers whether they gave any thoughts as to why children do not need to be taught to be bad, yet we must teach them to be good. We put considerable effort into teaching children to be good, but none into teaching them bad behaviour.
  2. Xian Sheng asked the followers for a reason, and they responded by quoting the phrase “人之初性本恶,” which means that humans are inherently evil from birth. Xian Sheng remarked that the soul has reincarnated over thousands of years, carrying with it the persistent evil throughout this entire period.
  3. Xian Sheng mentioned that a man named Lou Ying once taught him about ancient Chinese history and culture, as well as how to write a few Chinese phrases. However, he did not learn much, as Lou Ying stopped teaching shortly thereafter.
  4. The word “恶” in the phrase “人之初性本恶” can also be translated as hate, badness, ferocity, or loathing. For example, if parents are slow to feed them, babies might exhibit their ferocious nature by throwing their bottles or pacifiers out of anger.
(F) The Original Sin is a highly contradictory story.
  1. Xian Sheng reminded the followers to remember that the Christian origin of “Original Sin” is a highly contradictory story.
  2. The Adam’s apple, or laryngeal prominence, is a visible protrusion in the throat area of males. It got its name from the myth that a piece of the forbidden fruit got stuck in Adam’s throat when he ate it. Females also have an Adam’s apple, but it is typically less prominent than in men. Xian Sheng asked the ladies to feel their throat area for it.
(G) Xian Sheng commends the charitable work of Christians.
  1. Xian Sheng stated that many people today are aware that Jesus did not die on the cross. This has led to a decline in Christianity, as the belief in Jesus as GOD appears less tenable in the present day compared to earlier times.
  2. Xian Sheng stated that followers need to recognise the many good deeds performed by Christians. They have established shelters and provided support for orphans and widows. The purpose of these shelters, among other things, is to protect widows from falling in with bad company. Many of these widows lack education and experience, and, having been cast aside and suffering from the loss of their husbands, are particularly vulnerable to engaging in undesirable activities.
  3. Christians are engaged in numerous charitable activities due to their resources and capability to implement them. Xian Sheng commends their charitable work.
  4. They actively recruit the elderly and retirees to join Christianity, encouraging them to participate in activities such as singing and dancing.
  5. Xian Sheng suggested that the Baitiangong Spiritual Movement organise trips, outings, or tours for elderly followers. We would offer them at a reduced rate to visit various places of interest. We should include those in wheelchairs and assign able-bodied participants to push them, ensuring that all can enjoy the experience together.
  6. Xian Sheng mentioned that Australia already provides these types of activities. There are accessible tours, volunteer programmes, and senior community initiatives that arrange for elderly participants to take turns pushing wheelchairs, ensuring everyone can enjoy trips and outings together.
  1. Genesis 3:1-6. New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE)

    Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.’ ” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die, 5 for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was a delight to the eyes and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate.
  2. The phrase "人之初，性本善" is associated with the "Three Character Classic" (三字经), a Confucian text used for teaching young children, and reflects the teachings of Mencius (孟子), a Confucian philosopher. In contrast, "人之初性本恶" is attributed to Xunzi (荀子), a Confucian philosopher who lived during the Warring States period in ancient China.
  3. GOD created humans with both good and evil consciousness. Ultimately, humans will decide whether to follow their good or evil consciousness.
  4. President Jimmy Carter in an interview with Playboy magazine in 1976 said, "I've looked on a lot of women with lust. I've committed adultery in my heart many times. This is something that God recognises I will do—and I have done it—and God forgives me for it."