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.

Featured Articles/Letters, Press

Statement on a Facebook post made by NUS Atheist Society

20 March 2020 by

You may have seen the article regarding a recent police investigation involving a post made by an ‘NUS Atheist Society’ Page on Facebook.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/nus-atheist-society-facebook-post-offensive-shanmugam-police-12560286

The Humanist Society (Singapore) finds this post unhelpful amid the current crisis. We are a community of non-religious people, founded upon values of reason and compassion. The post made by NUS Atheist Society is neither reasoned nor compassionate. NUS has also since stated that the Page is not affiliated with the university.

The evolving Covid-19 situation affects us 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.

Executive Committee
Humanist Society (Singapore)

Announcements, Blog, Press

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…]
Announcements, Blog, Featured Articles/Letters, Press

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.

Featured Articles/Letters, Press

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)

Announcements, Featured Articles/Letters

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.”

[Read more…]
Blog, Events, Featured Articles/Letters

Speech: Protecting Vulnerable Groups against Religious Intolerance, Overreach of Minister’s Powers and Inclusion of Non-Religious Persons

9 October 2019 by

The following speech was delivered by NMP Anthea Ong on 7 Oct 2019 in Parliament, in support of the Maintenance of Religious Harmony (Amendment) Bill. The speech marks the first time the Humanist Society (Singapore) was mentioned in Parliament, in recognition of our many years of interfaith efforts.

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Blog, Press

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…]
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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/


Featured Articles/Letters, Press

Event summary: Asian Humanism Conference 2019

19 July 2019 by

Introduction

After a gap of four years, the annual Asian Humanism Conference returned to Singapore in 2019. Whereas previous conferences focused on humanism, on the public day of this year’s conference, 6 July 2019, the exploration of relations between communities with different belief systems took a central role.

[Read more…]
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