A vote for secularism in Singapore
October 2nd, 2023 | 
Author: 
I have the similar thought of The Straits Times’ Editorial “A vote for secularism in Singapore” (Sep 18).
Firstly, let us get to the bottom of definitions of Secularism.
Secularism is the principle of seeking to conduct human affairs based on naturalistic considerations, uninvolved with religion.
Also, secularism is most commonly defined as the separation of religion from civil affairs and the state and may be broadened to a similar position seeking to remove or to minimize the role of religion in any public sphere.
Secularism can also be defined as treating every religion equally and providing equal facility.
In other words, as long as the government of any country allows politics to be linked to religion, or favors any particular religion, it will cause disharmony and conflict among the ethnic groups within the country. Eventually, it can/will easily lead to chaos and even civil war. This is an indisputable fact.
As we all know, India is a classic example of frequent religious conflicts.
Anyway, India's economic development, social harmony and cohesion have been weakened to some extent by its domestic religious conflicts over the years.
Due to the occurrence of various religious conflicts and hatred in some countries, the entire world has suffered from peace, regression and the people live in fear.
Singapore has since 1819 gradually evolved from a small and backward fishing village into a prosperous British trading port, and subsequently into a developed industrial, commercial and financial cosmopolitan city. Since then, it has attracted many immigrants from China, India and Eurasia till its independence in 1965.
Going without elaboration, Singapore is obviously the multiracial, multicultural and multi-religious country since nineteen century. In due course, the Government must safeguard our national fabric of racial diversity, harmony and unity at all costs.
In any circumstances, Singapore has to stick to the line of secularism to ensure the well acceptance of its policies and the importance of social harmony is achieved.
In any case, Singapore must learn valuable lessons from the religious conflicts over the world, and cherish the importance of racial and religious harmony, as well as continuing to uphold its principles of secularism.
Teo Kueh Liang
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Posted in 
Yes.
In order to implement secularism,
Singapore should reduce the idolatry altars at coffeeshops and hawker centers,
And MNCs should not promote idol-worship.
Never forget Hitler did say that Hinduism and Buddhism were founded by Aryans, and he was even a non-alcoholic vegetarian. (https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/zfr-2017-0010/html?lang=en)
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Secularism is not enshrined in our constitution because our current and past leaders choose to use religion and race to their political advantages. Fundamentalist Christian churches had long taken advantage of this fact to push their agenda aggressively. They encourage followers not to eat food offered for ancestor worshipping, to convert their parents and family members to their faith especially relatives and friends in their deathbeds are not spared. They actively disparage other religions causing family to tear apart while actively promoting their prosperity gospel.
The only religion they avoid at all cost is Islam. They had been specifically warned not to proselytize to the Muslims as it will create social unrest. But all the other religions are fair game. All this is done in the name of freedom of religious practise. Hallelujah!
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Are we really secular? If we were, HY should be not be wearing her head gear showing that she is a Muslim.
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Communism is as close to $ECULARI$M as one can get,more or less.
To outrightly brand our G as non-$ecular is not completely correct.
Ours is a secular govt in a broad sense.
We must “GIVE BACK TO GOD WHAT BELONG TO GOD AND TO CAESAR WHAT BELONG TO CAESAR” as taught by Christ.
Nothing bad about THE TEACHINGS OF BUDDHA OR CHRIST; on the contrary,both Teachers taught the good WAY OF LIFE,of living if only weak humans with frailties abide faithfully.
Bad or “wayward” practioners are not true followers of the good faith practices.
They adulterate the GOOD TEACHINGS to suit their own interests and inclinations.
Let us not attempt to confuse or be confused by such waywardness.
Being humans as we are,we make mistakes and even cajole others to do bad.
Still,among the multitudes of EVIL people,there are good souls.
God is as real as the Devil.
Good co-exists with Evil.
The CHOICE is ours.
This life is just a transition,a pilgrim journey and will not last forever.
Don’t live to die regretful.
May we be blessed with Wisdom more so than mere “intelligence”…
Good Luck.
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This is so so so true. Religion itself is like a Mafia organization.
Why it is a Mafia organization? Because it does not tell you the TRUTH. The Truth: From the Bible:
Matthew 10:34-39 NKJV
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth.
I did not come to bring peace but a sword.
For I have come to
‘set a man against/ his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’;
and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’
He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me.
And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
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@Singaporean R Free Rider:
It only means we are not to have attachments as we are spiritual beings.
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Never give approval for the image of our country leader to be printed on drink packets that ultimately end up in the dust bin.
It’s one of the dumbest things the party ever did.
They should have printed his likeness on money instead.
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Our gahmen are money-faced.
They put $ before People .
You die your blinking business; Collecting more $ is OUR BU$INE$$.
VERY $ecular,thats the BIG PROBLEM.
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Quietly, we all know there is only one religion here: worship of The God of No Mercy. Anyone who tries to worship other gods will be forced to repent!
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Founding Father worship is not a religion.
It’s something worse.
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Recently,Ong Ye Con said that the G can only do a FEW BASIC THINGS for elderly citizens and seniors must PLAN FOR themselves.
Meanwhile,G KEEPS PU$HING UP THE COST OF BASIC LIVING AND THIS DEPLETES THE LIMITED SAVINGS of our NEEDY ELDERLY.
G COULD SIMPLY TAKE OUT $100B FROM OUR RESERVES AND DISHED OUT THE “BULK” OF IT TO HIGHLY PAID INCLUDING NON-SGS.
BUT WHEN IT COMES TO OUR ELDERLY,THE G SUDDENLY BECOMES “AU$TERE”???
MIND you,the PAST RESERVES WERE ACCUMULATED MOSTLY BY OUR RETIREES WHO NOW HAVE TO FACE VERY HIGH COL owing to the G’z practice of “WHAT IS WRONG WITH COLLECTING MORE MONEY”.
BTW,WHY PEOPLE LIKE ONG YE CON ,with such BIG PAYCHECKS,NEED THE G TO GIVE THEM “PEN£ION$” when they are old and retired wben THEY CAN EASILY “PLAN FOR THEMSELVES”?
A big part of the REASON of why G needs to COLLECT MORE MONEY IS THE FUNDING OF GOVT COST of which people like Ong Ye Con BENEFIT DIRECTLY.
STILL CAN COME N TALK COCK???
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