http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC100419-0000046/Dont-impose-beliefs-on-others
Date : 19 April 2010
19 April 2010
Interactions in society should be
secular, says Law Minister
Sypnosis
"Minister K Shanmugam said that religious beliefs should not be
imposed on others, and that we should create as large a secular
space as possible for us to be able to interact with each
other."
by Alicia Wong
SINGAPORE - Religious beliefs must remain private and should not be
imposed on others - but it can be used to promote good values that
all can agree on, said Law Minister K Shanmugam.
Mr Shanmugam, who is also the Second Minister for Home Affairs, was
speaking to reporters after the Sree Maha Mariamman Temple's
consecration ceremony yesterday, which saw over 30,000 devotees
turning up for prayers from as early as 6am.
Interaction in society, he said, should be based on secular values
and arguments, as it would be difficult for people to accept
arguments based on another person's religious beliefs. But, Mr
Shanmugam added, "if you put forward that argument on the basis it
is in the best interest of the community and put it forward on a
logical secular basis, then people can accept it".
His comments came after Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng spoke
last week on concerns over how religious groups were increasingly
holding worship events at commercial venues, being involved in
business and getting more assertive in evangelising.
Mr Shanmugam said such concerns do not "quite apply to temples
yet", but increasingly, religiosity is a global trend and Singapore
was no exception. He added: "What is important is that there
remains a personal space, and we create as large a secular space as
possible for us to be able to interact with each other."
Also touching on the issue of common and private space yesterday,
while celebrating the Tamil New Year with residents in Pasir Ris,
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean said each
community must have its own space in order to practise its own
culture, traditions and beliefs. "But we must also subscribe to a
wider common space among all of us where we come together as
Singaporeans ... And these common spaces are precious for all of
us, just as each community's own space is precious for that
community."
On the roles of temples, Mr Shanmugam said they see themselves as
providers of religious service so people come to temples, and the
temples don't usually "go out". He said they can perform a wider
role, emphasising education, healthy living.
(With thanks to TODAYonline.com)