The modern world

The vague concept of "the modern world", which has for a long time coming been a convenient scapegoat for all the ills of our times, can actually help bail out those religious fellas who got onto the wrong side of law.

Q: WHY YOU STAY IN A PENTHOUSE IN ORCHARD ROAD INSTEAD OF TEMPLE?
A: Because I'm a modern monk. Can't you see? The world has changed...
I can be closer to my devotees if I stay in Orchard Road....

Q: WHY YOU WATCH PORN?
A: Because I'm a modern monk. Can't you see? The world has changed...
Who doesn't watch porn nowadays....?

Q: WHY YOU WEAR CALVIN KLEIN UNDERWEAR?
A: Because I'm a modern monk. Can't you see? The world has changed...
And it last longer... You should try....

Q: WHY YOU WEAR ROLEX WATCH?
A: Because I'm a modern monk. Can't you see? The world has changed...
And also it's a gift from my devotee.... Not I buy one...

On a different note, we tend to cast a disapproving look when we see monks mingling at high-end streets like Orchard and Sim Lim Square (of course!), and we react with glee upon seeing them stray onto the wrong side of law. We string them up, strip them of their dignity and robes, and scrutinize their private lives, right down to the underwears they own. And when we find that they lead lives not dissimilar to our very own, we start berating them for doing the very things we do, like giving in to materialistic excesses or lust or whatever that people in the "lousy modern world" do. Shouldn't we allow for some harmless failings on our fellow humans from time to time, especially if the crime committed is inconsequential? What is it with this selective inconsistency, or if you prefer, hypocrisy, that we have in abundance inside us? The christian bible may be another overrated relic, like justin timberlake or mutual funds, but it does say something wise from time to time: let he who is without sin, cast the first stone.