Irreligion in Singapore
Encyclopedia
As of 2010, 17.0% of Singaporeans have no religious affiliation. Non-religious Singaporeans are found in various ethnic groups and all walks of life in the diverse, multicultural city state. The Singapore non-religious community itself is very diverse, with many calling themselves atheists
, agnostics
, humanists
, theists
or skeptics. In addition, there some people who decline religious labels but still practice traditional rituals like ancestor worship. The number of non-religious people in Singapore has risen slightly. Census reports show that those who said they have no religion rose from 13.0% in 1980 to 17.0% in 2010. In recent years, social gatherings of non-religious people have become more popular in Singapore.
Since 2007, informal atheist groups had organised social gatherings to discuss about religion and popular new books by authors such as Richard Dawkins
and Christopher Hitchens
. In 2008, the Singapore Humanism Meetup was formed as a social network of secular humanists, atheists or agnostics. They have been meeting regularly to discuss social issues of the day. The network, which uses a website to organize social gatherings, has over 400 members registered online, meeting in various locations over town to hold workshops, talks and book clubs. In 2009, the network also held the first Darwin Day
in Singapore to celebrate the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin.
In October 2010, the Humanist Society (Singapore) became the first humanist group to be gazetted as a society. Many pioneer members of the society met at gatherings organised by the Singapore Humanism Meetup. The Society aims to provide a social space where non-believers can get together in a safe environment, as well as to promote for them the same rights and privileges that are enjoyed by members of religious bodies. They will organize talks and seminars for both its members and the general public, as well as participate in public forums to discuss or promote the views of the society.
Irreligious groups in Singapore are also linked to other irreligious networks in Southeast Asia. The Singapore Humanism Meetup, Singaporean Atheists and Humanist Society (Singapore) are listed on the Southeast Asian Atheists website.
Atheism
Atheism is, in a broad sense, the rejection of belief in the existence of deities. In a narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there are no deities...
, agnostics
Agnosticism
Agnosticism is the view that the truth value of certain claims—especially claims about the existence or non-existence of any deity, but also other religious and metaphysical claims—is unknown or unknowable....
, humanists
Humanism
Humanism is an approach in study, philosophy, world view or practice that focuses on human values and concerns. In philosophy and social science, humanism is a perspective which affirms some notion of human nature, and is contrasted with anti-humanism....
, theists
Theism
Theism, in the broadest sense, is the belief that at least one deity exists.In a more specific sense, theism refers to a doctrine concerning the nature of a monotheistic God and God's relationship to the universe....
or skeptics. In addition, there some people who decline religious labels but still practice traditional rituals like ancestor worship. The number of non-religious people in Singapore has risen slightly. Census reports show that those who said they have no religion rose from 13.0% in 1980 to 17.0% in 2010. In recent years, social gatherings of non-religious people have become more popular in Singapore.
Since 2007, informal atheist groups had organised social gatherings to discuss about religion and popular new books by authors such as Richard Dawkins
Richard Dawkins
Clinton Richard Dawkins, FRS, FRSL , known as Richard Dawkins, is a British ethologist, evolutionary biologist and author...
and Christopher Hitchens
Christopher Hitchens
Christopher Eric Hitchens is an Anglo-American author and journalist whose books, essays, and journalistic career span more than four decades. He has been a columnist and literary critic at The Atlantic, Vanity Fair, Slate, World Affairs, The Nation, Free Inquiry, and became a media fellow at the...
. In 2008, the Singapore Humanism Meetup was formed as a social network of secular humanists, atheists or agnostics. They have been meeting regularly to discuss social issues of the day. The network, which uses a website to organize social gatherings, has over 400 members registered online, meeting in various locations over town to hold workshops, talks and book clubs. In 2009, the network also held the first Darwin Day
Darwin Day
Darwin Day is a recently instituted celebration intended to commemorate the anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin on February 12, 1809. The day is used to highlight Darwin's contribution to science and to promote science in general.-History:...
in Singapore to celebrate the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin.
Charles Darwin
Charles Robert Darwin FRS was an English naturalist. He established that all species of life have descended over time from common ancestry, and proposed the scientific theory that this branching pattern of evolution resulted from a process that he called natural selection.He published his theory...
In October 2010, the Humanist Society (Singapore) became the first humanist group to be gazetted as a society. Many pioneer members of the society met at gatherings organised by the Singapore Humanism Meetup. The Society aims to provide a social space where non-believers can get together in a safe environment, as well as to promote for them the same rights and privileges that are enjoyed by members of religious bodies. They will organize talks and seminars for both its members and the general public, as well as participate in public forums to discuss or promote the views of the society.
Irreligious groups in Singapore are also linked to other irreligious networks in Southeast Asia. The Singapore Humanism Meetup, Singaporean Atheists and Humanist Society (Singapore) are listed on the Southeast Asian Atheists website.
See also
- Religion in SingaporeReligion in SingaporeSingapore is a secular multi-religious country due to its diverse ethnic mix of peoples originating from various countries. Most major religious denominations are present in Singapore....
- Article 15 of the Constitution of SingaporeArticle 15 of the Constitution of SingaporeArticle 15 of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore guarantees freedom of religion in Singapore. Specifically, Article 15 states: "Every person has the right to profess and practise his religion and to propagate it."...
- Freedom of religion in SingaporeFreedom of religion in SingaporeFreedom of religion in Singapore is guaranteed under the Constitution. However, the Government of Singapore restricts this right in some circumstances. The Government has banned the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Unification Church...
- Singaporean Chinese religionSingaporean Chinese religionSingaporean Chinese religion refers to religious beliefs of Chinese origin as practiced by the Chinese in Singapore. These beliefs and practices are heavily influenced by the faiths practiced by Chinese communities, such as Taoism, Buddhism, Chinese folks religion and Confucianism.According to the...
- HumanismHumanismHumanism is an approach in study, philosophy, world view or practice that focuses on human values and concerns. In philosophy and social science, humanism is a perspective which affirms some notion of human nature, and is contrasted with anti-humanism....