In a letter published in Today Voices (21st June 2014), Committee members Zheng Huifen and Tan Tatt Si argue why morality should be shaped by all, including the non-religious. In response to the Bishop of the Lutheran Church, Reverend Terry Kee’s comments on a recent Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) survey.

http://todayonline.com/voices/morality-should-be-shaped-all-spore

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Original letter submitted to the press:

MORALITY SHOULD BE SHAPED BY ALL IN S’PORE

The Institute of Policy Studies’ (IPS) recently published survey on Religious Harmony (Matthews, Khamsya & Teo, 2014) is a goldmine of information. The Humanist Society (Singapore) (HSS) welcomes the opportunity to discuss attitudes regarding beliefs and morality. [Read more…]

We published a letter in The Malay Mail Online on May 17, 2014. It was in response to  Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Najib Razak that humanism, secularism and liberalism are the basis for a new form of a religion known as “human rightism”, and that it threatens Islam. Our letter in response to his comments are reproduced below:

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MAY 17 — In April, the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, declared the United Kingdom to be a “Christian country”. This echoed similar remarks, which Cameron earlier made in 2011 at the University of Oxford that Britain was in danger of a “moral collapse” unless rescued by Christian values. However, such remarks were immediately refuted by many in the UK, not least the former leader of the Church of England. [Read more…]

Our ex-President, Paul Tobin, wrote to the Straits Times forum to explain what atheism means. He was responding to Pastor Lawrence Khong’s comment in a previous interview that atheists are religious with belief systems. Mr Tobin responded by saying that atheism is not a belief system for it merely describes the absence of belief in god(s). Original letter submitted to the press: [Read more…]

In a forum letter, George Lim mentions the Humanist Society. His letter argued that charitable giving transcends religion and it is human nature to give. He also added that the Singapore spirit should not be dichotimised into religious and non-religious groups.

http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/helping-needy-transcends-religion-20130715

For original copy of article, email us.

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…]

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.

[Read more…]

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 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.