Featured Articles/Letters Page 5 Humanist Society Singapore webstore

Letters to HumanistSG: Should I come out as an atheist?

25 May 2024 by humanist j

Letters to HumanistSG is a column where we reply to appeals for advice/help from non-religious individuals.

Dear Sir/Mdm,

I hope this letter finds you well. I’m reaching out because I’m facing an internal struggle.

I come from a deeply religious family who prays together regularly. To my parents, God is at the center of our family, and guides us in many actions and thoughts.

Over the years, even though I have attended many religious classes, I’ve come to realize that I don’t share those beliefs anymore. I no longer find any meaning in the rituals. I want to live a life true to myself.

I’m considering coming out as an atheist, but the thought of potentially disappointing my family weighs heavily on me. I love my parents deeply and I don’t want to break their hearts. I am also worried about the backlash from my community, which opposes apostasy.

What should I do?

Sincerely
Haley

(True name redacted for privacy)

Our reply

Hi Haley,

Thank you for confiding in me during this challenging time. Your struggle with reconciling your non-religiosity with the expectations of your deeply religious family is understandably difficult.

You are not alone. Every year, there are many people who have left religion and I have many of them at the Humanist Society today. Like you, they love their family and they don’t want to disappoint them.

There are a few ways to navigate this situation. Firstly, you can weigh the pros and cons of coming out to your family.

Pros:

Being open about your non-religiosity allows you to live authentically and more happily, free from the burden of pretending to follow beliefs you no longer believe.
Being free from religious rituals also frees up time and energy to learn other philosophies, leading to personal growth.
Declaring your non-religiosity earlier gives your family more time to accept you for who you are.

Some cons:

Your family might never accept your non-religiosity, leading to prolonged conflict. You could be forced to live separately.
Backlash or ostracism from your community could impact your social and emotional well-being.
If the majority of your friends are from the same religion. you could lose a large number of friends within a short time.

While deciding the best course of action to take, there are some things you can do to prepare yourself for an eventual transition.

Ensure you are financially independent, so you have the means to move out.
Build new networks in new communities that accept you for who you are.
Build mental resilience, cultivating healthy ways to cope with stress and rejection.

In worst cases, where acceptance is not possible, consider being a non-practising member of your religious community as a compromise. Above all, remember to prioritize your own well-being and happiness as you make this decision. If you need support from the Humanist Society, you are welcome to join our events and seek advice from like-minded people.

Wishing you strength, clarity, and peace as you journey forward.

Blog, Featured Articles/Letters

Congratulations to PM Lawrence Wong

15 May 2024 by humanist j

The Humanist Society (Singapore) congratulates Mr Lawrence Wong, on becoming the 4th Prime Minister of Singapore today, and thanks Mr Lee Hsien Loong for his 4 decades of public service to the country.

Never has a transition in leadership been overnight. The process where talent has been meticulously groomed, and knowledge has been carefully institutionalized, spans across multiple years of history.

These years of dedication and preparation from Singapore’s cabinet ministers and government are now reflected in this smooth and orderly handover.

For those interested in Mr Wong’s perspectives on thorny issues involving race and religion, his 2021 speech offers valuable insight:

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/lawrence-wong-racism-speech-ips-rsis-forum-1941591

At its core, humanism asserts that we all share one world, one reality, and one humanity, and despite the immense challenges of maintaining harmony and building consensus, we remain committed to advancing society united towards our shared future

We as the Humanist Society (Singapore) trust that we can uphold our pledge to be a force for societal good under his leadership, and we will be working alongside our leaders democratically and wisely elected through due process to work on the issues as addressed as a people proactive in fostering positive change.

We will uphold our values—goodness for its own sake—and are prepared to embrace this new era of leadership for Singapore’s betterment, no matter what challenges arise.

Executive Committee

Humanist Society (Singapore)

15th May 2024

Announcements, Blog, Featured Articles/Letters

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.