On sincerity

What a cynical rebel Ms. Diani is in her column on Sunday, Nov. 18.

I fully agree that to follow tradition and to do things sincerely are two different things. But nobody can read one's heart and "see" that one was asking forgiveness insincerely. Just because they ask for her forgiveness on a special occasion such as Ramadhan, are they then proven "guilty" for not being sincere? So when she kisses her mother's hand and asks for her forgiveness, does she expect her mother to get suspicious for being insincere because she didn't do so earlier? Or are people who thank God on Thanksgiving Day not sincerely thankful because they do it once a year on a specific day?

I guess people are more aware of their being God's creatures or part of family/society on certain occasions. If they take Ramadhan, Idul Fitri, Christmas, birthdays or whatever day to remind themselves about their existence as human beings, then does it automatically make them "insincere"?

Concerning the "business of receiving God's blessings", I think that's the whole point of everything. If one does things insincerely, do you think he/she will get God's blessings? Sincerity matters, yes absolutely. So it's better to try to be sincere first and let go of our resentments than to judge others' sincerity level.

RAHAJENG PRATIWI

Bogor, West Java