Our reply to a journalist’s concern that ‘the rise of atheism or those who are not religious might (hinder philanthropy). Zheng Huifen, the author, pointed out that non-religious people donate to charity and take part in volunteer work too. Original letter submitted to ST: [Read more…]
Secularism in Singapore
20 April 2013 by
This article about the secularism in Singapore was published on April 10, 2013 on the UK Rationalist Association’s website.
Photo: Humanist Society (Singapore)
Secularism in Singapore
Large numbers in this thriving South East Asian state profess no religious beliefs, yet a dated colonial Penal Code means atheists do not enjoy equal rights under the law. John van Wyhe and Huifen Zheng on the trouble with religious freedom in Singapore.
TODAY: Unwanted pregnancies: Empathy and solutions needed
7 April 2013 by
In a letter published in Today Voices (7th Apr 2013) in response to law lecturer Tan Seow Hon’s commentary on reviewing abortion laws, committee members Zheng Huifen and Chen Liyan argue that emphathy and solutions are needed to prevent unwanted pregnancies in the first place, and that banning abortion will infringe on women’s fundamental rights. [Read more…]
HSS quoted in Zaobao article
7 April 2013 by
HSS was quoted in Lianhe Zaobao, the Chinese daily newspaper (last 2 paragraphs). The article covered an interfaith seminar, Building Bridges Seminar organised by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS). Lawrence Wong, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, was invited as guest-of-honour. HSS members attended the event in their personal capacities and our President was interviewed by several members of the press.
Rough translation:
HSS President Mark Kwan (34, teacher) attended the inter- faith dialogue despite being non-religious. He said, “According to the 2010 population census, 17.1% of Singaporeans do not belong to any religion but this does not stop us from participating in inter-faith events as most of our values are similar to what religions promote, therefore we support inter-faith dialogue too.”
Open letter to Father William Goh, Coadjutor Archbishop of Singapore
4 March 2013 by
NOTE FROM ADMIN: Following the ordainment of Father William Goh as Coadjutor Archbishop of Singapore on 22 February, the Humanist Society (Singapore) sent this letter to Father Goh on 27 February to extend our congratulations. An edited version was sent to TODAY Voices last week but it was declined for publishing due to the large volume of other letters received by the newspaper last week. [Read more…]
Darwin Day gains popularity in Asia
15 February 2013 by
(From left to right, Darwin Day posters in the Phillipines, Singapore and Malaysia)
Darwin Day, which celebrates Charles Darwin’s birthday and his scientific contributions, is experiencing growing popularity in the Asia-Pacific region. [Read more…]
My route to atheism
20 January 2013 by
I was never truly in any religion. I never really believed. But back then I didn’t even know what an atheist is.
My parents are Chinese and worship the traditional Chinese pantheon of gods. They weren’t particularly religious but they are superstitious. So, in effect, my brother and I weren’t particularly religious as well. The whole god idea never quite got to the both of us.
Abiogenesis, Life and Gods
6 January 2013 by
A frequent and unusual question that believers tend to bring up when “proving” god is on the origins of life.
“Where do you think we came from?”
“How do you think we were created?”
“I don’t believe we arose by chance.”
“How do you think we were created?”
“I don’t believe we arose by chance.”
Frankly, I think this sort of questions is kinda redundant when discussing the existence of god. I’ll explain… [Read more…]
Staying strong in the face of life’s troubles
10 December 2012 by
Graphics by Blossom Wen
Life is not a bed of roses, and we all know that too well. In the face of life’s troubles, people have different ways of coping. Some justify their pain with the money earned, some are driven solely by passion, while many others find solace in religious traditions. Common questions posed to humanists are: What do we believe in and how do we stay strong in the presence of adversity? How do we keep going despite the absence of supernatural beliefs? [Read more…]
How to engage the potentially offended
24 November 2012 by
Logical and rational discourse can be potentially offensive to people who believe wholeheartedly in certain traditions and paradigms even in the absence of evidence. In worst case scenarios, the offended party could possibly call for state intervention (Sedition Act and S298 etc) against humanists engaging in such discourse. To discuss this problem, we held at event titled Humanist Cafe: Sharing your worldview on Nov 24, 2012, to gather ideas on how humanists could go about sharing the rational worldview with the potentially offended. [Read more…]
