A Singaporean humanist living in Australia has worn a strainer for his driving license, making him likely the first Singaporean to exercise his right to don pastafarian religious headgear in identity photos. This followed successful attempts in Australia, USA and Russia to do so. Dan Tang, a longtime volunteer in the Singapore humanist movement, speaks to us about his experience. [Read more…]

Photo: Humanist Society (Singapore) treasurer Tatt Si (left) and Wade Kardaal (right) from Taichung Atheists, Freethinkers, and Humanists

By Tan Tatt Si

Source: Wikipedia

Wade Kardaal and I met in this Taipei Kanpai restaurant in Taiwan, both hailing from different locales: Wade of Minnesota / Taichung , and me a Singaporean at the back end of a Greater-China photography trip.

The majority of Taiwanese follow Buddhism and Taoism. However, Wade expressed his dismay at ordinary Taiwanese not being able to distinguish among Buddhism, Taoism and folk religions, seeing similarities with his American midwest, mostly Lutheran-isque experience and upbringing, where followers are more focused on rituals and community concepts are relatively weak.

However, he noted that disciples and followers from the four major Buddhist organizations in Taiwan (Fo Guang Shan 佛光山，Chung Tai Chan 中台山，Dharma Drum Mountain 法鼓山，Tzu Chi 慈济精舍）run their religions the neuveau and more charismatic way, and are rather successful in their Buddhist missions. All four are able to touch people personally through effective community outreach strategies.

Wade, who works as an English teacher in Taiwan, is currently the administrator of Taichung Atheists, Freethinkers, and Humanists, a Taiwan-based Facebook group with about 150 members. He is also the Acting Chairperson at International Humanist and Ethical Youth Organisation (IHEYO) Asia Working Group.

About one in five Taiwanese are non-religious. At an IHEYO meeting earlier this week, Taiwan has been chosen by the as host country for the next IHEYO international conference. The Humanist Society (Singapore), having hosted the previous conference last June, will provide support to our friends in Taiwan.

Wade is a genuine stickler to due process and humbly accepts a position only when he knows everyone’s happy. Taiwan and East Asia will be in good hands with Wade and his contacts in Hong Kong and Japan!

Message from founding President Paul Tobin:

Are you a humanist, atheist, freethinker, agnostic or sceptic? Are you fond of the scientific method and reasoning Have you ever wished to know like­-minded people in Singapore to share thoughts with, or to work together for good cause?  [Read more…]

Many humanists are concerned about protecting the Earth and living sustainably. While Singapore is renowned as a clean and green city, the high population density and heavy sea traffic meant that some trash has inevitably ended up on the city-state’s beaches and mangrove coasts.

With this in mind, the Humanist Society (Singapore) organised its first beach cleaning exercise on Pulau Ubin island on December 6, 2015. One of the 63 islands of Singapore, Ubin was once a centre for granite mining. Today, there are less than 100 residents left on the island and it is considered one of the last remaining rural areas in Singapore. About 2,000 people visit the island each weekend for camping, trekking, cycling and other outdoor activities. [Read more…]

This is the QnA summary after Paul’s presentation. The QnA was meant for all 3 panel speakers, but this summary is directed at questions and answers related to Paul only. The questions and comments from the audience are not attributable. The HSS would like to thank Ashley Toh, Nur Hakeem, Martin Piper and Dan Tang for helping to transcribe the lively exchange. 

[Read more…]