Religion in Singapore

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Singapore is a multi-religious country, due its diverse mix of peoples originating from various countries and ethnic groups. Most of the key religious denominations are represented in Singapore. However, the main religion by far is Buddhism, with 42.5% of the resident population being declared as adherents.

The Singapore census includes detailed data on religion and ethnicity, and is taken on a ten-year basis. Figures for religion in the year 2000 are:

• Buddhism - 42.5%
• No religion - 14.8%
• Christianity - 14.6%
• Islam - 13.9%
• Taoism - 8.5%
• Hinduism - 4%
• Other religions - 1.6%

The above figures refer to the resident population only, and does not include non-resident population.

Singapore authorities do not release figures for the non-resident population which accounts for 18.33% of Singapore population in 2005. Given the profile and origin of non-resident population, the breakdown by religion would be slightly different, with Muslims increasing and Buddhists decreasing both by a few points.^{[citation needed]}

Most, but not all, Malays are adherents of Islam. There is also a substantial community of Indian Muslims.

Religious co-mingling has been strongly encouraged since the British colonised Singapore; for example, South Bridge Street, which was a major road through the old Chinatown, is home to the Sri Mariamman Temple (a south Indian Hindu temple that was declared a national historical site in the 1980s), as well as the Masjid Jamae Mosque that served Chulia Muslims from India's Coromandel Coast. In schools, children are taught in social studies lessons about the Maria Hertogh riots and the 1964 Race Riots, as a grim reminder of the consequences of inter-religious conflict. Mixed-race classes, interaction between students of different races and the celebration of religious festivals also help inculcate religious tolerance and understanding from a young age.

Another religious landmark in Singapore is the Armenian Church of Gregory the Illuminator, the oldest church in Singapore, which was completed in 1836. It was also the first building in Singapore to have an electricity supply, when electric fans and lights were installed. Today, the church no longer holds Armenian services, as the last Armenian priest retired in the 1930s. Nonetheless, the church and its grounds have been carefully preserved, and Orthodox Church services are still held in it occasionally.

There are 15,000 Sikhs in Singapore. The Central Sikh Temple [1] was built to commemorate the 518th anniversary of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh guru. The temple boasts a skillful blend of modern and traditional architecture. The Granth Sahib, or holy book, is enshrined in a magnificent prayer hall which has a 13-metre wide dome.

There are 300 Jews in Singapore [2]. Their religious activities centre around the two synagogues, the Maghain Aboth Synagogue and the Chesed-El Synagogue, and the Jewish Communities Center (Singapore).

Contents 1 Religious Tolerance 1.1 Taoism 1.2 Buddhism 1.3 Islam 1.4 Hinduism 1.5 Christianity 1.6 Others 2 Restrictions 3 See also

[edit] Religious Tolerance

Most Singaporeans celebrate the major festivals associated with their respective religions. The variety of religions is a direct reflection of the diversity of races living there. The Chinese are predominantly followers of Buddhism, Taoism, Christians, and some agnostics. Malays have the Muslims and Indians are Hindus. There is a sizeable number of Muslims and Sikhs in the Indian population.

Religious tolerance is essential in Singapore. From colonial times up to the independence of the island state, racial and religious harmony have been the top priority of governing institutions. Through its forty years of laborious efforts, the PAP government has to some extent successfully transcend religions beyond racial boundaries and some religions, especially those spearheaded by the Chinese ethnic groups, even merge with other religions such as Hinduism and Islam. The most glaring example would be that of Loyang Tua Pek Kong Temple situated in the eastern coastal line wherein the three religions are housed under the same roof. It may be an unusual but an unique manifestation of religious harmony in this modern country. Younger Singaporeans tend to combine a little of traditional wisdom of the older generations with the reality of modern society that they perceive of today.

Religion is still an integral part of the cosmopolitan Singapore. Many of its most interesting buildings are religious, be it old temples, modern churches, or exotic mosques. An understanding of these buildings do play a part in contributing to the appreciation of their art.

Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism together with ancestral worship are combined into a versatile mix in Chinese temples. In fact, these three religions had exerted their influences over Chinese cultures and traditions since time ancient. It is sometimes difficult to tell them apart when examining the Chinese heritage.

[edit] Taoism

Followers of the Tao (The Way) adhere to the teachings of the ancient Chinese religious philosophy of Lao Tzu also known as the Pure One, Celestial Worthy of the Way, and Tai Shang Lao Jun. The Talismanic and Register Sect of mainstream Taoism is seen as the most influential through the numerous presence of spiritual mediums. They are concerned with life-after-death theory, the balance of the two cosmos energies of which are depicted through the Taoist Yin and Yang theory, and vitality, good-health, and longevity . Feng Shui, literally translated as wind and water, also originated from the Taoist Yin and Yang theory and deeply rooted in ancestral worshipping that seeks to harmonize the pnuemas between the living (yang) and the dead (ying). Ancestral worship is common practice of the Chinese and the Qing Ming Festival in the second full moon is observed by the majority. It reflects the Chinese tradition remains extant in modern Singapore as they pray in memory of their bereaved love ones and the spirits of the dead are honoured with offerings including food, beverages, joss-paper, joss-sticks, and even paper houses, which are intrinsic practices of the Taoists.

[edit] Buddhism

One will be able to find monasteries and Dharma centres from all three major traditions of Buddhism in Singapore: Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana. Most Buddhists in Singapore are Chinese.

As Singapore is predominantly Chinese, Buddhism naturally took on the Chinese Mahayana influence, which was introduced into the country by early immigrants from mainland China. However, due to economic prosperity and accessibility to travelling, Thailand's Theravada Buddhism has seen growing popularity amongst the people (not confining to the Chinese)in the past decade. Tibet Buddhism is also making a slow inroad into the country in recent years.

However, it is not always easy to provide an accurate statistics for the faith as most Chinese people, like their ancestors, are polytheistic and are prone to be intertwined by Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, which are all viewed as Chinese religions in some way or another.

[edit] Islam

Not all Malays in Singapore are Muslims. According to the Singapore Census of Population 2000, 99.5% of the Malay population are Muslims with a 0.4% embracing other religions and a reported 0.1% with no religion. Within the Muslim community are the Indian Muslims of which make up to 22.1% of the Indian population in Singapore. There are also a few Chinese Muslim, but their figures are not readily available.

[edit] Hinduism

When Indian immigrants migrated soon after the founding of Singapore in 1819, they brought with them Hinduism. The early temples are still the central points of rituals and festivals, which are held throughout the year.

[edit] Christianity

One will be able to find Christian churches of all denominations in Singapore. They were actually established with the arrival of various missionaries after the coming of Sir Stamford Raffles. Together with Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism, Christianity is considered one of the four main religions today.

[edit] Others

Minority faiths are not forgotten. There are at least two synagogues for the Jews and Sikhs. The Zoroastrians and Jains are also represented in Singapore.

[edit] Restrictions

Public discussion of religious issues are considered out of bounds, and negative or inflammatory portrayals of religion are subject to censorship.

The "Singapore: International Religious Freedom Report 2006" issued by the US Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor and submitted to Congress by the Department of State in compliance with Section 102(b) of the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) of 1998 [3] makes note of the fact that the Constitution of Singapore allows for freedom of Religion "however, the Government restricted this right in some circumstances."

The report also goes on to state that "The constitution provides that every citizen or person in the country has a constitutional right to profess, practice, or propagate his or her religious belief so long as such activities do not breach any other laws relating to public order, public health, or morality." as well "In 1972 the Government deregistered and banned the Singapore Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses on the grounds that its existence was prejudicial to public welfare and order because its members refuse to perform military service (obligatory for all male citizens), salute the flag, or swear oaths of allegiance to the state. At the time, there were approximately 200 Jehovah's Witnesses in the country; at the end of the period covered by this report there were approximately two thousand. Although the Court of Appeals in 1996 upheld the rights of members of Jehovah's Witnesses to profess, practice, and propagate their religious belief, and the Government does not arrest members for being believers, the result of deregistration has been to make public meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses illegal. Nevertheless, since the 1996 ruling, no charges have been brought against persons attending or holding Jehovah's Witness meetings in private homes."

The report also makes mention of the restrictions against the distribution of Jehovah Witness literature and the incarceration of members for not performing military service.

The Unification Church has also been banned in Singapore since 1982. [4]

[edit] See also

• Buddhism in Singapore
• Taoism in Singapore
• Islam in Singapore
• Christianity in Singapore
• Hinduism in Singapore