Rising religiosity may lead people to mix only with others of same faith
By
Clarissa Oon, Senior Political Correspondent
Rising religiosity may lead people, unwittingly, to form religious enclaves, unless a conscious effort is made to continue socialising with people of other faiths, Mr Goh (left) said. -- ST PHOTO: LIM WUI LIANG
SENIOR Minister Goh Chok Tong sees a potential danger arising from Singaporeans becoming more religious.
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It can lead to people of the same faith mixing only with each other, which over time could result in 'compartmentalisation of our society by religion', he said.
Should this happen, there is a great possibility of religious misunderstanding and conflict, he said at a National Day dinner in Marine Parade on Sunday, in a speech on the challenges facing the Singapore of tomorrow.
On Sunday, Mr Goh spelt out the fundamentals that must stay un-changed for Singapore to guard against fomenting tensions. It has a secular government which represents Singaporeans of 'all beliefs, including those without a religion'.
'Hence, as a principle, public institutions or private organisations which receive public funding are not permitted to impose or advocate any religious belief or practice. This must remain the foundation of our inter-religious harmony,' he stressed.
For that reason too, there are policies ensuring public housing estates and schools remain common secular spaces, 'where nobody is made to feel uncomfortable whatever his colour or beliefs'.
Mr Goh pointed out that the Government sees religion as a positive force in society, giving 'spiritual guidance to help us cope with a fast-changing world'.
However, rising religiosity may lead people, unwittingly, to form religious enclaves, unless a conscious effort is made to continue socialising with people of other faiths, he said.
If such religiosity 'encroaches on our common secular space, or worse, the practice of other religions, (it) must result in a push-back by others'.
The theme of growing religious fervour made up a substantial part of Mr Goh's speech, which made the key point that in Singapore's successes 'are embedded the seeds of new challenges'.
Read the full story in Monday's edition of The Straits Times.
