Having seeing most monks loosing their shit over what pastor Jerome said, I'd like to share this small extract form Brahmajāla Sutta.

Monks, if others blame me, blame the dharma, blame the Sangha, you should not be angry with yourself. You should not be unhappy. Don't be offended. Monks, if others blame me, if they blame the Dhamma, or if they blame the Sangha - if you are offended by that blame, if you are unhappy or become unhappy, it will be a danger to you (your own meditation).

"Monks, if others blame me or the Dhamma or the Sangha, and you get angry, then will you be able to know whether what they say is good (truthful) or dubious (false)?" He questioned

The monks replied, "It is not possible to know whether the story is true or not"

Monks, if others speak of my virtues or of the Dhamma or of the Sangha, you should not be happy about it, one should not be satisfied with it. Monks, if others say my virtues, or the Dhamma's virtues, or the Sangha's virtues, if you become happy, you yourself will be in danger. (It is an obstacle to your own meditation)............

And the sermon goes on like this.

This is a country of free speech and imo Jerome ain't said nothing worthy of getting arrested. He just made some childish arguments and that's about it !

We should understand the political motives behind these shenanigans. We should be watchful of the media chanels, groups and individuals who are making a big deal out of this. We should remind ourselves whom and what ideologies did they represent in the past.

May be the invisible hands operating both parties are helping to make the groundwork for establishing draconian laws like Anti-Terrorism Act. Also, they may be trying to normalize taking away our right to free speech via subterfuge - inciting people through sensitive topics.

We as citizens should be vigilant since the glimpses of the upcoming drama is apparent.