extracted from ST forums.
Not time yet for Fortune God? Don't be dogmatic
SURELY, Dr Benjamin Leong protests too much? ('Christmas and God of
Fortune don't mix'; ST, Nov 12).
For one thing, it did not occur to me that the ornament above the
'Season's Greetings' signage was meant to represent a hat, much
less the hat of the God of Fortune. Perhaps one sees only what one
desires to see?
Second, even if it was meant to signify the God of Fortune, I do
not see why one should be dogmatic about such things.
This is especially so when the message that accompanies it is
'Season's Greetings', which evidently includes the celebration of
the new year.
Surely, what is more important is for our well wishes to reach
everyone, regardless of how it is transmitted.
Admittedly, in practice, there are elements in all religious
festivals which are considered inappropriate by some of their
believers. For example, some Christians in other countries consider
Santa Claus as 'unchristian' and have sought to ban images of him
in their religious celebration.
However, it is often such elements which allow people from
different faiths to appreciate and partake in each other's
religious holidays.
Of late, I have felt a heightened sense of religiosity by different
religious groups in our erstwhile multi-religious and secular
society.
In time, this might lead to more fervent and divisive boundary
drawing among different religious groups. That cannot augur well
for Singapore's fragile unity and identity.
Regardless of race, religion and other traits, we must remember
that we are Singaporeans first.
Harvey Neo Choong Tiong
