Recently, we have been asked by members of the public and press about our views on meditation, a practice that is getting popular in Singapore. The mental practice is thousands of years old, and can be found in many religious traditions.

From the Society’s point of view, the practice of meditation has been shown to be beneficial psychologically by various studies. This article by Psychology Today compiles a list of scientific studies showing how meditation can be beneficial for your health, happiness and self-control. A 2003 study showed that a short program in mindfulness meditation produces demonstrable effects on brain and immune function.

While some might find the effects temporary, others have achieved a better quality of life, due to relaxation and stress reduction and relaxation. For patients with chronic pain and anxiety, there is evidence that meditation does reduce suffering and increase well being. [Read more…]

Admin note: This is a republished article from a newsletter by the Atheist Alliance International. It provides information for the non-religious seeking asylum from religious prosecution. Singapore has rejected asylum seekers in the past, citing its small size and limited resources. For asylum seekers in Southeast Asia, the nearest help available is the UNHCR Regional Representative in Thailand

ATHEISM & ASYLUM

By Stuart Bechman
Membership Director, AAI
membership@atheistalliance.org

One of the more persistent issues that we experience on an ongoing basis at Atheist Alliance International is the influx of emails from atheists in Muslim countries who have been “outed” to their family and/or neighbors and who are now seeking a way to leave their country to avoid ostracization, physical harm and/or incarceration.

It’s a problem that AAI has been discussing for some time.  As it turns out, most western countries readily recognize atheists as a first-tier persecuted minority, especially in “Muslim” countries. Such status usually provides a ‘fast-track’ in many host countries to granting asylum. However, without an international support group to assist them, few atheists are ever able to make their case for asylum.

There are, of course, plenty of organizations that seek to help persecuted Christians, Jews, other religious sects; but because they focus on their own communities, persecuted atheists are essentially invisible.

However, most people who leave or reject Islam are not looking for a replacement religion.  Most who leave Islam do so because they have developed a secular outlook. So it’s ironic that often the only option for outed atheists to get help is to adopt another religion (sincerely or otherwise) to get any emigration support services. [Read more…]

This is a summary of a talk given by Hossein Roshandel on 30 November, 2014, on the Islamic Golden Age and its contributions to science and philosophy, at the invitation of Humanist Society (Singapore). Mr. Roshandel is an Iranian and a Postgraduate Student in School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University since Jan 2012. The event was held at OnePeople.SG.

Hossein started his presentation with a basic introduction about the Middle East region. The “golden age” of Islam, remembered for its great accomplishments in science and innovation, is roughly defined as the era between two major invasions, the Arab conquest of Persia in the 651 and the Mongol sacking of Baghdad in 1258. The period also coincided with the Middle Ages in Europe. Many of the great thinkers in the Islamic world at that time were in fact Persians using the Arabic language to write their works. [Read more…]

The death of people we know and love is often shocking and painful. Offering a dignified and meaningful way to bid farewell to those who have lived without religion is important.

Our organisation, at this point of time, do not have the capability to offer humanist funerals and memorial services. However, non-religious funeral packages exist in Singapore and have been in business for many years. We have a compiled a list for your reference, including contact numbers and rates (where available). However, information on the websites are not exhaustive and we do not have complete knowledge of the packages. Please contact the providers for more information.

Members of the humanist community have asked us if the Mandai Columbarium provides a place for deceased people who did not profess a religion or did not choose to be affiliated to any religion. To our knowledge, there is no differentiation between religions (or the lack of) for the deceased in the government managed columbariums. According to the FAQs on the NEA website, the niches are also allocated sequentially.

[Read more…]