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.
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.
NOTE FROM ADMIN: Following the ordainment of Father William Goh as Coadjutor Archbishop of Singapore on 22 February, the Humanist Society (Singapore) sent this letter to Father Goh on 27 February to extend our congratulations. An edited version was sent to TODAY Voices last week but it was declined for publishing due to the large volume of other letters received by the newspaper last week. [Read more…]
Raffles Press published an article called Diary of an RI Intern: Writing for the Straits Times featuring Miranda Yeo, who graduated from RI in 2011.
Miranda described her experience as an intern at the Straits Times Newsdesk. In one paragraph, she described meeting Mr Ang Hock Guan, a humanist in his 90s:
“I met an elderly and deaf man, Mr Ang Hock Guan who lived alone in a one-room flat. He had so little to himself – nothing more than a bed, a cupboard, a table and a bookshelf. I befriended him and found out he was intelligent and believed in humanism, a theory that mankind does not need religious structures to form a sense of morality. He wrote essays upon essays, annotating his yellowed copies of philosophy books – but I was his only reader. He said his last wish was to join the Humanist Society of Singapore, so I managed to arrange a visit to his home with the society’s president. That day, he held my hands and told me I was an angel. But that very night, he passed on.”
Our President that year, Mr Mark Kwan, met Mr Ang and helped fulfill his wish to be a HSS member. In 2014, we mentioned him in our commentary in Yahoo, Recognising Non-Religious Singaporeans. Here’s the photo of Mark and Miranda with Mr Ang, shortly before his death.
The HSS president Mark Kwan explains why there is no controversy and debate in the scientific world over whether evolution or creationism is true. Evolution is backed by evidence while creationism has yet to be proven true. Original letter submitted to the press: [Read more…]
The HSS president Mark Kwan calls for dialogue to be conducted between different religious groups instead of relying on the law and the police to settle differences
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said he is confident that Singaporeans will react to the video clip on YouTube entitled Innocence of Muslims in a calm, rational manner.
The Humanist Society (Singapore) supports this approach to resolving disputes. We are proud that Singapore’s education and security systems have not only prevented religious conflict here but also ensured that the non-religious can live safely.
Singapore should not rest on its laurels. The Internet has enabled access to a multitude of religious and philosophical beliefs. Arguments over different interpretations and beliefs will increase, especially online.
Calling the police for every statement that appears offensive is neither practical nor productive.
We can strengthen religious harmony if we learn to regulate disputes through social dialogue, and in the event of a disagreement, agree to disagree.
Religious belief is a deeply personal matter that cannot be forced upon, and we should respect the right of others to believe or not to believe.
For version of article published in the TODAY, email us.
We, the Humanist Society (Singapore), a registered society representing the non-religious in Singapore, would like to express our support for the draft “Ethics Guidelines for Human Biomedical Research”.
We believe that research is vital to understanding nature and holds great potential for extending human lifespans and improving quality of life. In particular, we agree with the committee’s stand that stem cell research should not be prohibited, but instead regulated with guidelines based on our current understanding of Science. [Read more…]
The Humanist Society (Singapore) has noted the unhappiness over Campus Crusade for Christ posters at the National University of Singapore. In the spirit of religious and racial harmony, we urge Singaporeans to resolve this unhappiness through discussions instead of calling for legal measures.
Only dialogue will improve understanding between different communities and lead to genuine harmony within Singapore’s society in the long run. The Humanist Society (Singapore) supports frank, rational discussions between different religious communities as well as non-religious communities. Discussions should be based on clear knowledge of various religious practices, sound logic and respect for each other’s right to belief. As a community of non-religious Singaporeans, the Humanist Society (Singapore) is ready to play our part in forging harmonious relations in the country. [Read more…]
