Archives for April 2025

2025 AGM [ 29th March 2025 ]

1 April 2025 by

This year’s AGM was a meaningful gathering, even though we did not meet the required quorum to proceed with the proposed constitutional changes. Nonetheless, the session went ahead with the official agenda and gave us much to reflect on as a community.

The President opened the AGM with an honest and heartfelt speech. She spoke candidly about the doubts she faced in discharging her responsibilities—and the courage it took to step forward anyway. She outlined three key pillars of focus for the year ahead:

  1. Community Building
  2. Education and Advocacy
  3. Outreach and Engagement

Drawing from the history of the Humanist Society (Singapore), she reminded us that HSS was itself a movement born from a movement—emerging from the aftermath of the AWARE saga. In her words, “Relevance is not inherited—it is created.” Quoting diplomat Bilahari Kausikan, she emphasized:

“Small city-states have no intrinsic relevance to the workings of the international system. Relevance is an artefact, created by human endeavour, and having been created, must be maintained by human endeavour.”

She urged members to think beyond waiting for the next ‘saga’ to define us, and instead, take deliberate steps to shape our relevance in today’s context.

“HSS is a movement born from a movement—a community that emerged from a transformative period and now has the power to shape its own future. We must ask ourselves: What is our story now?”


Following the President’s opening address, the AGM proceeded with the official agenda:

  • ✅ Confirmation of the Minutes from the 2024 AGM
  • 🗓️ Summary of Events and Activities in 2024 — a year marked by thought-provoking Conversations on Humanism, successful Secular Assemblies, community socials, and impactful outreach initiatives
  • 💰 Adoption of the Auditor and Treasurer’s Reports, affirming the Society’s financial health and transparency

🗳️ The election of the Executive Committee for 2025/2026 was conducted smoothly, along with the appointment of Honorary Auditors. Congratulations to the newly elected EXCO members—we look forward to their leadership in the coming year!

Members were also briefed on ongoing key programmes such as the Secular Assembly and Conversations on Humanism series, followed by a preview of major events planned from March 2025 onwards.

The floor was then opened for items submitted by members, followed by an engaging and generous Q&A session, allowing for open discussion and feedback.


The old guards of HSS came to give their support.

AGM, Blog, Events, Featured Articles/Letters

Conversation about Humanism : Materialism [ 23rd March 2025 ]

1 April 2025 by

In true conversational spirit, this session was lively, thought-provoking, and filled with personal reflections. Nora opened the floor with an imaginative question:

“Imagine you received $10 million overnight. What’s the first thing you’d do with it?”

Responses were diverse—many said they would donate to charity, invest in education, and keep a portion for personal use. One participant said they’d take time off to travel the world. And in a wonderfully grounded moment, someone asked, “Where did the $10 million come from?”—reminding us that even daydreams come with taxes and consequences!

We then dove into the heart of the conversation:
What comes to mind when you hear the word Materialism?

Participants shared that materialism often evokes ideas of wealth accumulation, possessions, and lifestyle. This led to a deeper question:

“At what point does ‘wanting a good life’ become ‘excessive materialism’?”

The conversation also explored how different philosophies and cultures view materialism. The idea of Positive Materialism was introduced and unpacked—highlighting how wealth can be embraced as a means to do good, rather than an end in itself. Participants also reflected on the concept of Mindful Materialism, which encourages conscious, value-driven use of resources.

The session concluded with a reflective prompt:
“If you had all the material wealth in the world but could only keep one non-material thing, what would it be?”

And a fitting quote to close the discussion:
👉 “Use wealth as a tool for doing good—not as a measure of your worth.”

Blog, Conversations on Humanism, Events, Featured Articles/Letters

Secular Assembly [ 22nd March 2025 ]  

1 April 2025 by

Celebrating International Women’s Day- A Humanist Reflection

The Secular Assembly has always embraced discussions on meaningful, worldly themes. This month, in celebration of International Women’s Day, we were honored to welcome a visiting speaker and guests from AWARE (Association of Women for Action and Research) to engage in dialogue on gender equality, human rights, and social progress.

A Song of Strength and Solidarity

The assembly opened with a sing-along of Helen Reddy’s iconic anthem, I Am Woman, a song that has long been a rallying cry for women’s empowerment:

“I am woman, hear me roar… Whoa, yes, I am wise,

But it’s wisdom born of pain. …

If I have to, I can do anything,

I am strong,

I am invincible,

I am woman.”

The lyrics resonated deeply with the audience, setting the tone for the event—one of reflection, solidarity, and action. It was a fitting reminder of the resilience and determination that have fueled both the feminist and humanist movements throughout history.

Humanism and Gender Equality

Following this uplifting start, Nora, President of the Humanist Society of Singapore (HSS), introduced the audience to the principles of humanism, emphasizing its core belief in rational thought, compassion, and individual freedom. Dan, the event’s lead organizer, then highlighted a significant statistic: according to the Singapore Census 2020, nearly 20% of Singapore residents identified as having no religious affiliation. In a society as diverse as Singapore, he stressed, harmony and mutual respect must never be taken for granted.

A Personal Journey: Breaking Stereotypes

The keynote speaker, Shamima, opened her talk by sharing her personal journey—one that led her away from the traditional expectations of women in her community. Growing up in a Muslim family, she had been expected to follow a conventional path, but her search for meaning and self-determination led her toward humanism. She eventually became a member of HSS and even served as Vice President for one term. 

Her personal experiences also reinforced a critical lesson: simplifying identities through labels and stereotypes is both dangerous and dehumanizing. A society that confines women to a single narrative fails to see the richness of human experience.

The AWARE Saga: A Defining Moment

Shamima then turned the discussion to a pivotal event in Singapore’s feminist history—the 2009 AWARE Saga, a dramatic power struggle within AWARE that captured the nation’s attention and led to significant public discourse on women’s rights, religious influence in civil society, and democratic values.

Though Shamima had not personally attended the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) that saw thousands rally to reclaim AWARE’s mission, her years working with the organization put her in close contact with the “old guards”—the women who fought through the crisis. One such figure was Constance Singam, an AWARE veteran of 24 years and a six-term president, whose powerful speech at the EGM remains an enduring testament to activism and resilience. It is a timely reminder to us all, that change happens because people decide to make a difference, not because they wait for the world to change around them.

The impact of the AWARE Saga extended beyond the feminist movement. Dan, a founding member of HSS, noted that the reflections and social awakening it inspired also contributed to the birth of the Humanist Society—which later became Singapore’s first recognized humanist organization.

Shared Values, Common Purpose

As stated at the start of the assembly, humanism affirms that individuals have the right and responsibility to shape their own lives. This philosophy mirrors AWARE’s core principles:

• Embrace diversity

• Respect for individual choices

• Recognition of universal human rights, regardless of gender

The fact that AWARE Saga is still studied in some junior colleges and high schools in Singapore is a testament to its enduring social and educational relevance. As we revisited this chapter in history, we were reminded of the words from I Am Woman:

“It’s wisdom born of pain.”

Engaging the Next Generation

During the Q&A session, participants explored questions on how to engage younger women in the feminist movement and how to encourage more involvement in HSS and AWARE. Those interested were encouraged to sign up through the official websites or reach out to the relevant organizers via email.

A Celebration of Life and Diversity

Before closing, Dan orchestrated a lighthearted moment by identifying the “birthday celebrant of the month” among the audience. With a surprise cake and warm wishes, we celebrated not just an individual milestone, but the shared journey of humanist and feminist activism.

Life, in all its diversity, is always a journey worth celebrating.

Stay tuned for our next assembly!

Write up by Humanist OQ

Blog, Events, Featured Articles/Letters, Secular Assembly

Existential Therapy [ 8th March 2025 ]

1 April 2025 by

Building on the insightful dialogue from last Conversation on Humanism series on irreligiosity and mental health,We were grateful to have Ms Deborah Koh from North Ship Counselling facilitate a deeply enriching and well-attended session on Existential Therapy.

She opened the conversation with a question many of us may have asked—often half-jokingly: “What is an existential crisis?”

Ms Koh helped unpack the real meaning behind the term, linking it to life-altering events such as the loss of a loved one, a serious illness, or rejection by one’s religious community, especially in relation to sexuality or gender identity.

Unresolved emotions and persistent questions like “Why is life unfair?” or “What happens after we die?” can all contribute to existential distress.


Ms Koh introduced Yalom’s Existential Psychotherapy (1980) and reflected on two local studies examining the link between religion and mental health:

  1. Religiosity, Religious Coping and Distress Among Outpatients with Psychosis in Singapore (2022)
  2. Religious Affiliation in Relation to Positive Mental Health and Mental Disorders in a Multi-Ethnic Asian Population (2021)

These studies sparked a thought-provoking question: “Are humanists doomed?”—prompting us to reflect on whether religion is necessary to make sense of life’s struggles.

Ms Koh shared insights from Viktor E. Frankl’s book, Man’s Search for Meaning (1946), a moving account by a Jewish psychiatrist who survived Auschwitz. Frankl observed that survivors were not necessarily the strongest, but those who had a sense of purpose and meaning—a reason to live even in the face of suffering.

She then explained what existential therapy entails:

  • Creating a safe, empathetic, and non-judgemental space
  • Coming to terms with grief, loss, and uncertainty
  • Reconnecting with oneself and others
  • Embracing ambiguity and existential anxiety as part of life
  • Taking responsibility for personal choices

Philosophy is not a requirement in therapy, she noted—“unless you want to talk about it!”

Values are central to the process. Participants were encouraged to reflect on:

  • Am I living in accordance with my values?
  • What do I want to stop doing?
  • What do I want to do more of?

Ms Koh emphasized that existential therapy can support individuals facing:

  • Divorce, illness, bereavement
  • Career transitions, ageing, retirement
  • Addiction, anxiety, depression, trauma
  • Loss of motivation or identity
  • And crises of faith or community disconnection

The ultimate aim? To live with authenticity—and to learn to “live the questions.”

The session concluded with a reflective activity where participants considered their personal values and how to express them through value-driven actions. A thoughtful Q&A session followed, with Ms Koh patiently addressing participants’ questions.

It was a powerful, informative, and affirming evening—reminding us all that seeking help is never a sign of weakness, but a courageous step toward healing.

Blog, Conversations on Humanism, Events, Featured Articles/Letters