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President’s Column: On freedom of speech and discourse on war in Gaza

9 May 2024 by humanist j

The 2023 Israel–Hamas war, ongoing since Oct 7 2023, is closely observed around the world, including in Singapore and within the Humanist Society, our community of non-religious and like-minded individuals.

While the Humanist Society has stayed focused on our home country, Singapore, daily news updates from the frontlines have been heart wrenching, with strong views expressed from various camps with entrenched views, both rational and emotional, even within the Society from members in their private capacities.

Writing about the Israel-Hamas war is very difficult, given that the conflict is a multilayered one with many overlapping grievances. Nonetheless, with recent events involving the Israeli embassy’s Facebook post and subsequent response by the Singapore government, I felt it is worth some discussion and reflection in my private capacity.

Broadly speaking, whenever the government acts against a published content that is detrimental to harmony and safety within Singapore, there will be two opposing views among vocal non-religious individuals.

The first view would be that freedom of speech must be protected, and that all ideas, including religious ones, should not be protected from criticism. Proponents of the first view would even argue that, with the widespread availability of the internet, it is impossible to shield someone from views that are critical of their beliefs.

The second view would be that harmony and safety within Singapore comes first, and while freedom of speech is important, raising tensions unnecessarily is counterproductive and ineffective in persuasion.

Whenever views are censored or taken down, there will be, inevitably, some unhappiness from people holding the first view. The big question would be what’s the right balance between freedom of speech, and staying practical about Singapore’s multi-racial, multi-religious context. After all, the Society is based in Singapore and must be effective and credible within our own country.

This is where I looked into the core values of Humanism. Indeed, while freedom of speech and critical inquiry is important, it is worth remembering Humanism carries a wider spectrum of values. Extracts from the Amsterdam Declaration indicate that:

Personal liberty must be combined with a responsibility to society.
We should be motivated by the benefits of helping and not harming, enabled by reason and compassion.

I do believe as Singaporeans, we have a responsibility in helping to keep Singapore safe and harmonious. This safety has benefited all Singaporeans, both religious and non-religious, and also helps generate the conditions for dialogue, including voices from the non-religious.

I also believe keeping Singapore safe and harmonious allows the flourishing of reason and compassion. When tensions are high and people are entrenched in opposing camps, reason gives way to tribalism, and compassion takes a backseat. Attempts at dialogue lead to impasse and no one benefits.

With the above, and considering all points of views, I support the swift and decisive response by the Singaporean authorities in addressing the post made by the Israeli embassy staff. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a prolonged one, and a sustainable productive approach ensures that reason and compassion prevails.

I believe this approach has paid off. On 30-31 August, the Humanist Society will host the International Humanist Conference, with representatives from humanist/non-religious groups around the world. For those who are unfamiliar with this conference, it is akin to the “United Nations” of humanist/non-religious groups around the world. Prior to that, the Humanist Society has already hosted two Asian Humanism Conferences in 2015/2019.

All the above would not be possible, if Singapore does not have a reputation of being a safe and reliable host for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE).

We encourage you to sign up for the conference. It will be a vibrant forum for engaging in critical discourse, exploring diverse perspectives, and discovering the region’s and Singapore’s approaches to secularism and interfaith harmony: https://humanist.org.sg/2024-ihc/ga2024-programme/

Norhaiyah Mahmood,

President of Humanist Society (Singapore)

Note : All views expressed are personal.

Announcements, Blog

Socials in May 2024

3 May 2024 by humanist j

Hanging out with Humanist on 3 May 2024

We enjoyed yet another delightful evening hangout session. Two new guests joined us, Dr. Bern Johnston and his wife from Penang, who stopped by to say hello. It turns out they are old friends of HSS who had been out of touch for a while but have now reconnected with us. As always, the evening was filled with lively discussions, and our table was one of the more animated ones in the room.

We discussed the session from last month, during which we had to endure a guest who spent two hours arguing that humanism is futile in addressing conflicts like the Gaza war or global issues. Consensus was unanimous among us that we welcome such interventions as a form of entertainment. It seemed apparent that the individual may have been seeking attention and attempting to provoke a reaction from us, but his efforts were met with indifference. Eventually, he left the group.

Note : We have more people actually. Not everybody is in this picture.

Zoomify Fridays on 24 May 2024

Our second Zoomify Friday session. Zoomify Friday is a casual and complimentary online social event designed to connect like-minded individuals and expand your network within the humanist community.

This session, we were delighted to be joined by friends from Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

They shared their visions for the future of humanism and recognized HSS as a beacon for the Humanism movement in Southeast Asia. They appreciated Zoomify Fridays as a platform to connect globally and expressed hope that future sessions will attract even more humanists.

We were also joined by another group attending an HSS social event at one of our member’s homes, enjoying a movie night. They shared their thoughts on the film they had just watched about Hypatia of Alexandria.

Blog, Featured Articles/Letters

A letter of encouragement

16 April 2024 by humanist j

To the dedicated Exco members of Humanist Society (Singapore), past and present,

Your commitment to building a society guided by reason, compassion and evidence is inspiring.

In a increasingly polarized world where dogma and misinformation is entrenched, your work is more important than ever.

Your tireless efforts to foster communities of critical thinkers, empathetic souls, and proactive changemakers will not go unnoticed.

Every month, you have created spaces where individuals can explore their beliefs freely, find solidarity in shared humanist principles, and work together towards a brighter future for all.

*Photo above: A visit to Labrador Nature Park in November 2023.*

In moments of doubt or fatigue, remember the impact of your work. A famous saying goes:

“A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit.”
Greek Proverb

Each gathering, discussion, or initiative you spearhead is planting the seeds for a better future.

Even for those who live in the present, they will find your dedication to reason and compassion is a guiding light in the darkness.

So keep organizing, keep advocating, and keep spreading the humanist message far and wide. You are making a difference, one thoughtful action at a time.

Thank you for your unwavering commitment to building a better world rooted in humanity’s best ideals. Your efforts are invaluable, and your passion is contagious. Keep up the incredible work!

Norhaiyah Mahmood

President

Humanist Society (Singapore)

Blog, Featured Articles/Letters

Introduction to Humanism Workshop November 2023

2 December 2023 by Koi Hin Wong

On November 18, 2023, HSS organized an introductory workshop on Humanism titled “Humanism: A Brief Introduction,” with the subtitle “Role of Humanism in a Diverse World.” The event took place at the Harmony in Diversity Gallery, located in Annex B of the MND building on Maxwell Road.

Prior to our discussion, we were graciously invited to embark on a brief tour of the galleries. The initial image that captured our attention showcased Singapore’s current religious diversity in a comprehensive overview.

Within the gallery, we delved into the shared elements interwoven in Singapore’s intricate religious tapestry. The exploration highlighted how various faith communities have collectively contributed to Singapore’s development, united by a common commitment to doing good. Each religion values specific principles and practices, fostering shared values and expressions of similarity across different faiths. Recognizing the significance of identifying and emphasizing common ground stands as a crucial step in nurturing mutual understanding and respect.

Benjamin Tan, a docent with Harmony in Diversity Gallery giving an entertaining tour to attendees of our workshop

The gallery also scrutinizes the perils associated with accentuating religious differences and underscores the importance of interfaith understanding. A multimedia exhibition vividly brings the Maria Hertogh riots to life, shedding light on the causes and lessons derived from those tumultuous events.

Approximately 20 participants attended the workshop, which commenced with a 30-minute presentation by Koi Hin. During this segment, he shared his perspectives on the essence of Humanism and elucidated how individuals subscribing to Humanist principles can actively engage with others and contribute meaningfully to a world fraught with divisions.

Koi Hin talking about Humanistic thoughts through the ages.

Subsequently, a dynamic discussion session ensued, revolving around four topics suggested by the participants during the registration process. The discussions were organized in a rotating table format, allowing attendees to select a topic of interest and engage in a 25-minute conversation. After the allotted time, participants moved to another table, fostering small group discussions that encouraged active contributions from every attendee and covered a diverse range of topics.