As part of our #HumanismAtHome initiative, we held a Skype group chat (‘Skype Party’) on 25 April (Sat) to discuss the Covid-19 outbreak in foreign workers dormitories in Singapore, as well as their living conditions.
A Christian among Humanists: A Chat over Easter #2
12 April 2020 by
Today, Christians worldwide celebrate Easter, one of the most important festivals in the Christian calendar, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Although the Humanist Society (HSS) was founded as an organisation for the non-religious, small numbers of Christians have been regularly attending our events for years. They are independent-minded, well-read, and supportive of many Humanist causes. Their perspectives are valuable because they have spent considerable time in both Christian and Humanist environments.
Three years ago, we conducted an interview with John Hui on his experience as a Christian and a regular participant of HSS events. This Easter, we had a chat with our good friend Dr Mathia Lee (left), another Christian who had attended many HSS events over the years.
[Read more…]ST: Police probe Facebook post linking holy texts, toilet paper
21 March 2020 by
In March 2020, the Singapore Police began investigating a Facebook post linking holy texts to toilet paper. Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam deemed the post offensive to Muslims and Christians.
The Facebook page named NUS Atheist Society had posted an image of the Bible and Quran, which are holy texts in Christianity and Islam respectively. An accompanying caption read: “For use during toilet paper shortages.”
Read the news article here:
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/police-probe-facebook-post-linking-holy-texts-toilet-paper
The Straits Times quoted the Humanist Society (Singapore) statement:
In a statement on its website, the Humanist Society (Singapore) said the post was “neither reasoned nor compassionate” and unhelpful given Covid-19, which affects all regardless of race or religion.
“We would like to encourage productive and rational dialogue during this crisis. We should focus on disseminating facts, providing comfort, and promoting public unity amidst the pandemic.”
Our full statement can be read here.
Getting “the people thing” right
16 March 2020 by
Seven years is a long time, as long as three of the four MNCs I used to work for in my 26 year career before HSS. I see things like Darwin sees evolution, something that volunteers with a couple of years at a stretch do not and cannot see.
[Read more…]ST: Law governing National Anthem allows other dignified versions
21 December 2019 by
Our President Tatt Si wrote a letter to ST Forum, wading into the debate over what is the true national anthem of Singapore.
https://www.straitstimes.com/forum/letters-in-print/law-governing-national-anthem-allows-other-dignified-versions
Tatt Si argued that there must be many versions of the anthem, with people being free to express their feelings for our country in our personal way.
20|20 VISION Calendar
29 November 2019 by
Based on the series of photographs taken by TattSi (the Society’s current president), the A5-size desktop calendars will be sold at S$30 each, 50% going to Limitless- ZDKF, and 50% to HSS, to help both organizations do good for the community. For Singapore mail orders , there will be a surcharge of $2.50, to cover stationeries , postage and logistics.
How to buy :
(1) Pay to our UOB A/C# 373-302-759-0 , or through PayPal to info@humanist.org.sg
(2) Send an email to services@humanist.org.sg , to inform us of the payment and the way to receive your calendar.
(3) You can also specify if you want the photographer to autograph on it.
Limitless (UEN 201713769M) is a non-profit organisation that helps youths build hope, find worth, and live destiny-driven lives. Through Limitless, the Zen Dylan Koh Fund (ZDKF) was set up to help at-risk youths deal with poverty, mental illness, social inequality and bullying.
Get your 20|20 VISION Calendar now, and begin to help youths who need support !
(20|20 VISION is a personal project, not an HSS merchandise, but benefits both HSS & Limitless-ZDKF)
Separating Science from Nonsense: A Guide for Dummies
20 October 2019 by
“There’s so much uncertainty in life,” said Dr Teja Celhar, a research scientist at A*STAR, at the end of the latest public lecture held by the Humanist Society Singapore (HSS) on Saturday (Sep 28). “Knowing how some parts of life works – that is comforting to me.”
Reply to Mothership : Religious Refugees
7 October 2019 by
(This open letter was published on 29th September 2019, on HSS Facebook page)
Thanking mothership.sg for its article on Closeted Ex-Muslims
The Humanist Society Singapore (HSS) would like to thank mothership.sg. for bringing up the plight of the invisible class of religious refugees in Singapore, in its 22nd September 2019 online article <Despite rising numbers of atheistic Singaporeans, this ex-Muslim remains closeted >.
[Read more…]Mothership: Despite rising numbers of atheistic S’poreans, this ex-Muslim remains closeted
22 September 2019 by
Mothership.SG published an article about the difficult closeted life of an ex-Muslim (Rahim) in Singapore.
https://mothership.sg/2019/09/singapore-atheist-ex-muslim/
The article noted that while there are more Singaporeans with no religion than there are Hindus (five per cent), Taoists (10 per cent) and Muslims (14 per cent), some atheists, including Rahim, remain closeted.
Mothership.SG mentioned that there are more non-religious communities in Singapore now, including the Humanist Society Singapore and the Council of Ex-Muslims Singapore (CEMS), that exist to raise awareness and serve as a support system for such people.
We wrote this note in appreciation to Mothership:
https://humanist.org.sg/reply-to-mothership-religious-refugees/
HSS Letter to Singaporeans for Festivus
26 November 2018 by
Do not monopolise December for yourself, NCCS. This letter is in response to the one NCCS sent to STB about the ‘deeper meaning’ of this period in the year.
(Erratum : more appropriate translation of “冬至” , is “the dead of winter”, or “the middle of winter”. We thank our fans for helping correct this.)
