Govt stresses clear line btn politics & religion

bycai SG

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1231399/1/.html

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean said the separation of religion and politics is a long established principle in Singapore.

He was responding to a question from Nominated MP Laurence Lien who wanted an update on the government's stance on what it means to keep religion and politics separate.

Mr Teo said: "Our politics and policies must serve all Singaporeans, regardless of race, language or religion. The government must not take sides with any religious group when making policies.

"If politicians use the religion card for their own political purpose and agenda, and seek to sway voters through religious appeals, it will sow the seeds of division in our society, and undermine the inter-religious and social harmony we have painstakingly built."

Mr Teo noted that a citizen who belongs to a particular religion will often be guided by his religious beliefs and personal conscience.

However, he should always be mindful of the sensitivities of living in a multi-religious society and the bounds of the law.

To guard against the dangers of mixing politics and religion, parliament enacted the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act in 1990.

Mr Teo said should any individual or group seek to embroil any religious group or use a religious office to further its political agenda, the government will take firm action.

Mr Teo said he understands and respects that religious groups have deeply-held views which they wish to express and to be given due consideration.

However, he said there are established formal and informal channels for them to do so.

Mr Milo SG

He is absolutely correct

bycai SG

it depends on the term religion in an english educated nation!. Some religion in sport, some religion in politic, some religion in law, some religion in religion, some religion in work etc :p Confucius is regarded as one of the many official religions.

《为政》

子曰：为政以德，譬如北辰，居其所，而众星共之。

子曰：导之以政，齐之以德，民免而无耻。导之以德，齐之以礼，有耻且格。

子张问于孔子曰：“何如，斯可以从政矣？”子曰：“尊五美，屏四恶，斯可以从政矣。”子张曰：“何谓五美？”曰：“君子惠而不费，劳而不怨，欲而不贪，泰而不骄，威而不猛。”子张曰：“何谓惠而不费？”子曰：“因民之所利而利之，斯不亦惠而不费乎？择可劳而劳之，又谁怨？欲仁得仁，又焉贪？君子无众寡、无小大、无敢慢，斯不亦泰而不骄乎？君子正其衣冠，尊其瞻视，俨然人望而畏之，斯不亦威而不猛乎？”

子张曰：“何谓四恶？”子曰：“不教而杀谓之虐，不戒视成谓之暴，慢令致期谓之贼，犹之与人也，出纳之吝，谓之有司。”（尧曰））

bycai SG

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