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Tag: Humanist Society Singapore

  • Humanist Society (Singapore): ‘Terrorism Has No Religion’ Slogan Is Divisive

    Humanist Society (Singapore): ‘Terrorism Has No Religion’ Slogan Is Divisive

    The Humanist Society (Singapore) sets out our position regarding the slogan “Terrorism has no religion”.
    As Singapore celebrates Racial Harmony Day this month, we are mindful that the terrorist threat to Singapore is at its highest in decades. Singapore’s political leaders has emphasised that the question is not whether a terrorist attack will happen here, but when it will happen.
    It is an unfortunate fact that most terrorist attacks in major cities have been perpetuated under the banner of radical Islamic ideology. A similar attack in Singapore will undoubtedly have ramifications on the relationship between persons of different races and faiths.
    After each attack by the Islamic State or its adherents (also known as ISIS/ DAESH), ordinary citizens, political and religious leaders often condemn the attackers by asserting that “terrorism has no religion”. However the Humanist Society (Singapore) suggest that this is a divisive slogan which discriminates against people with no religion.
    The statement ‘terrorism has no religion’ can also be read as saying that the terrorists were in fact irreligious. Such interpretation even more glaring in reactions stating that the terrorists were “not true Muslims” or “not true believers” – therefore by implication having no religion. The logical conclusion of such statements is that atheism, or the lack of religion, is the root of terrorism instead.
    While the slogan was formulated to guard against racial or religious prejudice, it inevitably casts aspersions against persons who have no religion. The Society is concerned that such sentiments may lead to further contempt and discrimination against people who do not subscribe to organised religion. We suggest that a better rallying call is “United against Terrorism”.
    It is simplistic to think that merely disassociating religious ideology from terrorism will guard society against terrorism. Society’s collective response to a terrorist attack involves physical responses like the newly established Rapid Deployment Troops, as well as social and psychological responses such as the further strengthening of our multi-racial, multi-religious fabric.
    We therefore call upon the Singapore government to step up national defense programmes regarding psychological defense, and the Inter-Religious Organisation and other grassroots organisations to conduct inter-faith events where the aftermath of a potential terrorist attack in Singapore can be honestly and frankly addressed.
    Source: Humanist Society (Singapore)
  • LoveSingapore WearWhite’s Message Is Troubling In Multi-Culural, Diverse Singapore

    LoveSingapore WearWhite’s Message Is Troubling In Multi-Culural, Diverse Singapore

    On May 19, the LoveSingapore Christian network released a Facebook post launching the Wear White movement for 2016, calling on churches in its network to wear white. While the Wear White movement was founded last year by a Muslim religious teacher as a counter-movement to Pink Dot, LoveSingapore, as a Christian group, appears to be taking the lead this year. This year, the Wear White movement is scheduled on the same weekend (June 4-5) as Pink Dot, which will be held on June 4 at the Speakers’ Corner.

    LoveSingapore’s Facebook post, which they said was addressed to the government, church, press and society, contains several points which are troubling. In the second point of the post, the LoveSingapore network calls for churches to arise and move on their convictions regarding public morality. This was followed by Howard Hendricks’ quote which said, “A belief is something you will argue about. A conviction is something you will die for.”

    The juxtaposition of LoveSingapore’s mobilisation call and Hendricks’ quote raises eyebrows. Such rhetoric is questionable, especially in view of this year’s terrorist attacks in Brussels and Jakarta.

    The third and fourth point in the message emphasized the importance of listening to Singapore’s conservative majority and keeping with the core values they possess. It also warned that the conservative majority will push against attempts to promote lifestyles and ideologies that openly and outrightly contradict Singapore’s laws, government’s stated policies, national core values, and the conservative majority’s views on public morality, marriage and family.

    LoveSingapore’s repeated emphasis on the word “majority” is troubling. In Singapore’s multiracial, multireligious society, no particular religion or group can claim to speak for the majority.
    The Humanist Society (Singapore) calls for respectful, informed discussion on the topic, based on reason, evidence, and compassion around the cause.

    Executive Committee Humanist Society (Singapore)

     

    Source: Humanist Society Singapore