Giant Teapot Terrorizes Malaysian Muslims

A giant teapot, vase, umbrella, "palace" and concrete boat, each symbolizing the common humanity of adherents to the world religions, are about to be torn down in Malaysia.

The structures stand on private land belonging to the "Sky Kingdom" *deviationist religious sect. Sect leader, 65 year old Ariffin Mohamad, says he will not contest the ordered destruction. "But," he added, "the action will seriously tarnish the image of the Government internationally."

The government alleges that the demolition is because it is illegal to build non-agricultural structures on agricultural land.

It is more commonly believed that the demolition has been ordered because the sect and its members have been outspokenly apostate from Islam and because the very existance of the sect and its highly visible structures are "humiliating" to Islamic teachings.

You can read more about this strange story here and at LGF (which receives a tip of the hat).

*The phrase, "deviationist religious sect" is used in the news story linked above. Although I have studied and taught on religious cults and sects for many years I do not believe I had ever heard this phrase until today. By googling I found that, with two exceptions, it was used exclusively for deviant Islamic sects. A definition of the term at the website for Apologetics research resources on religious cults and sects supported this view with this definition: "Deviationist: Alternative term for heresy (e.g. often used for those said to deviate from the teachings of Islam)."

It now appears that Islamic vocabulary is now entering our mainstream and academic English language vocabulary. This is not necessarily a bad thing. But we should think twice before using these terms since they may carry both specific and hidden meanings within Muslim communities of which we may not be aware.