Religion in Singapore
Encyclopedia
Singapore
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.
The most followed religion is Buddhism
, with 33% of the resident population declaring themselves as adherents at the most recent census. The majority of Malays are adherents of Islam
with a substantial community of India
n Muslims.
, 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 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 fan
s and light
s 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 various Orthodox Church services are still held in it occasionally and Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria service on the first weekend of every month.
The Jehovah's Witnesses
and the Unification Church
are banned in Singapore.
The above figures refer to the resident population only, and do not include the non-resident population.
(Singapore authorities do not release figures for the non-resident population which accounted for 18.33% of Singapore's population in 2005.)
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 and Taoism with some exceptional agnostics. Malays are mostly Muslims and Indians are mostly Hindus but with significant numbers of Muslims and Sikhs from the Indian ethnic groups.
Religion is still an integral part of 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 appreciation of their art.
Taoist, Confucianism, and Buddhist figures together with ancestral worship are combined into a versatile mix in Chinese tradition temples. In fact, these three religions had exerted their influences over Chinese cultures and traditions since ancient times. It is sometimes difficult to tell them apart when examining the Chinese heritage.
Although Taoist temples and shrines are abundant in Singapore, it has nevertheless not been officially included as a major religion for a number of reasons. It was argued that its numbers has dwindled drastically over the years from 22.4% to 8.5% between the years 1990 to 2000. This, however, may be accounted for by the unclear delineation between Taoism and Buddhism in popular perception. Another major reason is that, politically, Taoism and Buddhism are viewed as Chinese religions and thus suffice having one of them - Buddhism of which has a higher official percentage representation, represents the Chinese population. Other reasons may include its refusal or failure to institutionalize for fear of losing its religious and traditional essence and risked being orchestrated and manipulated into a mouthpiece of some people with other ulterior agendas.
, Mahayana
and Vajrayana
. Most Buddhists in Singapore are Chinese and are of the Mahayana tradition. 33.3% of the population of Singapore is Buddhist.
Chinese Mahayana is the most predominant form of Buddhism in Singapore with missionaries from Taiwan and China for several decades. However, Thailand's Theravada Buddhism has seen growing popularity amongst the people (not confining to the Chinese) in the past decade. Soka Gakkai International
, a Japanese Buddhist organization, is practised by many people, in Singapore
, but by mostly those of Chinese descent. Tibetan Buddhism
is also making a slow inroad into the country in recent years.
They oversee a wide range of activities including the education of children, devotional services, study classes, discussion groups, social functions, observance of holy days, marriages and funeral services.Baha’i marriage is recognised under the laws of Singapore and the solemniser is appointed by the Registrar of Marriages. The Baha’is have been provided with a cemetery in Choa Chu Kang since 1957 and the nine Baha’i Holy Days have been gazetted since 1972. Members of the first Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Singapore, incorporated July 28, 1952. The five Local Spiritual Assemblies come under the jurisdiction of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Singapore, the national governing council which was established in 1972.
The national governing council also appoints the executive members of the various offices which plan and carry out social service projects and collaborate with government and non-government organisations.The Baha’i teachings stress the importance of obedience to civil government and laws. While Baha’is may accept non-partisan government appointments, they do not engage in partisan political activity. The members firmly uphold the injunction of Baha’u’llah, that “they must behave towards the government with loyalty, honesty and truthfulness”.
and a few Chinese Muslims, whose figures are not readily available.
In 1985, Mother Teresa
spoke at a stadium describing her experiences in Calcutta. On 20 November 1986, Pope John Paul II
visited Singapore.
. Their religious activities centre around two synagogues, the Maghain Aboth Synagogue
and the Chesed-El Synagogue
.
The 1931 census records that the 832 Jews and were the largest house property owners in the city. There were over 1,500 Jewish inhabitants by 1939. Many were interned by the Japanese during World War II, and a number subsequently emigrated to Australia, England, the United States, and Israel. As a result, the community numbered approximately 450 in 1968. In 2005, the number reached 300, but due to a large Ashkenazi immigration rate to Singapore in recent years, the population is now between 800 and 1000 and comprises mostly foreign Ashkenazi Jews
.
The Jain community celebrated a presence of 100 years in Singapore marking the occasion by rededicating the "Stanak" and consecrating the idol of Lord Mahaveer. This brings together the two main secs of Jains - stanakvasi (those who do not practice idol worship) and deravasi(those who practice idol worship).
The Jain community in Singapore now is close to 2000 people and the Singapore Jain Religious Society actively engages in keeping traditions and practices alive by imbibing Jain principles to the next generation. It also has a strong history of community involvement.
, and negative or inflammatory portrayals of religion are subject to censorship
. The Government does not tolerate speech or actions that it deems could adversely affect racial or religious harmony.
In 1972 the Singapore government de-registered and banned the activities of Jehovah's Witnesses in Singapore on the grounds that its members refuse to perform military service (which is obligatory for all male citizens), salute the flag, or swear oaths of allegiance to the state. Singapore has banned all written materials published by the International Bible Students Association and the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, both publishing arms of the Jehovah's Witnesses. A person in possession of a prohibited publication can be fined up to $1500 (Singapore Dollars $2,000) and jailed up to 12 months for a first conviction.
The Unification Church
has also been banned in Singapore since 1982.
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
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.
The most followed religion is Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
, with 33% of the resident population declaring themselves as adherents at the most recent census. The majority of Malays are adherents of Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
with a substantial community of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n Muslims.
Tolerance
The government of Singapore has attempted to transcend religious and racial boundaries. Some religions, especially those spearheaded by Chinese ethnic groups, have merged their places of worship with other religions such as Hinduism and Islam. A prominent example is that of Loyang Tua Pek Kong Temple (situated in the eastern coastal line) wherein three religions, namely Taoism, Hinduism, and Islam are co-located. Younger Singaporeans tend to combine traditional wisdom with religious beliefs introduced when the British colonised Singapore; for example, South Bridge Street, which was a major road through the old ChinatownChinatown, Singapore
Singapore's Chinatown is an ethnic neighbourhood featuring distinctly Chinese cultural elements and a historically concentrated ethnic Chinese population. Chinatown is located within the larger district of Outram....
, 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
Masjid Jamae
Masjid Jamae is one of the earliest mosques in Singapore, and is located in the Chinatown district within the Central Area, Singapore's central business district. The mosque was established in 1826...
Mosque that served Chulia Muslims from India's Coromandel Coast
Coromandel Coast
The Coromandel Coast is the name given to the southeastern coast of the Indian Subcontinent between Cape Comorin and False Divi Point...
. In schools, children are taught in social studies
Social studies
Social studies is the "integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence," as defined by the American National Council for the Social Studies...
lessons about the Maria Hertogh riots
Maria Hertogh riots
The Maria Hertogh riots or Nadrah riots, began on 11 December 1950 in Singapore after a court decided that a child who had been raised by Muslims should be returned to her biological Catholic parents. A protest by outraged Muslims escalated into a riot when images were published showing 13-year-old...
and the 1964 Race Riots
1964 Race Riots
The 1964 Race Riots were a series of riots that took place in Singapore during two separate periods in July and September between Chinese and Malay groups. The first incident occurred on 21 July during a Malay procession that marked Prophet Muhammad's birthday. In total, the violence killed 36...
, as a 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
Armenian Church, Singapore
The Armenian Church is the oldest Christian church in Singapore, located at Hill Street in the Museum Planning Area, within the Central Area, Singapore's central business district.-History:George Drumgoole Coleman, overseer of Convicts and Superintendent of Public Works, was the architect of many of...
, the oldest church in Singapore, which was completed in 1836. It was also the first building in Singapore to have an electricity
Electricity
Electricity is a general term encompassing a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. These include many easily recognizable phenomena, such as lightning, static electricity, and the flow of electrical current in an electrical wire...
supply, when electric fan
Fan (implement)
A hand-held fan is an implement used to induce an airflow for the purpose of cooling or refreshing oneself. Any broad, flat surface waved back-and-forth will create a small airflow and therefore can be considered a rudimentary fan...
s and light
Light
Light or visible light is electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human eye, and is responsible for the sense of sight. Visible light has wavelength in a range from about 380 nanometres to about 740 nm, with a frequency range of about 405 THz to 790 THz...
s were installed. Today, the church no longer holds Armenian
Armenian Apostolic Church
The Armenian Apostolic Church is the world's oldest National Church, is part of Oriental Orthodoxy, and is one of the most ancient Christian communities. Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion in 301 AD, in establishing this church...
services, as the last Armenian priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
retired in the 1930s. Nonetheless, the church and its grounds have been carefully preserved and various Orthodox Church services are still held in it occasionally and Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria service on the first weekend of every month.
The Jehovah's Witnesses
Jehovah's Witnesses
Jehovah's Witnesses is a millenarian restorationist Christian denomination with nontrinitarian beliefs distinct from mainstream Christianity. The religion reports worldwide membership of over 7 million adherents involved in evangelism, convention attendance of over 12 million, and annual...
and the Unification Church
Unification Church
The Unification Church is a new religious movement founded by Korean religious leader Sun Myung Moon. In 1954, the Unification Church was formally and legally established in Seoul, South Korea, as The Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity . In 1994, Moon gave the church...
are banned in Singapore.
Diversity
The Singapore census includes detailed data on religion and ethnicity, and is taken on a ten-year basis. Figures for religion for the past three decades are:The above figures refer to the resident population only, and do not include the non-resident population.
(Singapore authorities do not release figures for the non-resident population which accounted for 18.33% of Singapore's population in 2005.)
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 and Taoism with some exceptional agnostics. Malays are mostly Muslims and Indians are mostly Hindus but with significant numbers of Muslims and Sikhs from the Indian ethnic groups.
Religion is still an integral part of 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 appreciation of their art.
Taoist, Confucianism, and Buddhist figures together with ancestral worship are combined into a versatile mix in Chinese tradition temples. In fact, these three religions had exerted their influences over Chinese cultures and traditions since ancient times. It is sometimes difficult to tell them apart when examining the Chinese heritage.
Taoism
Followers of the Tao (The Way) adhere to the teachings of the ancient Chinese religious philosophy of Lao Tzu, the founder of Taoism, also known as the Pure One, Celestial Worthy of the Way, or 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 is deeply rooted in ancestral worshiping that seeks to harmonize the pnuemas between the living (yang) and the dead (yin). Ancestral worship is a common practice of the Chinese and the Qing Ming Festival during the second full moon is observed by the majority. This reflects that Chinese tradition remains extant in modern Singapore. 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.Although Taoist temples and shrines are abundant in Singapore, it has nevertheless not been officially included as a major religion for a number of reasons. It was argued that its numbers has dwindled drastically over the years from 22.4% to 8.5% between the years 1990 to 2000. This, however, may be accounted for by the unclear delineation between Taoism and Buddhism in popular perception. Another major reason is that, politically, Taoism and Buddhism are viewed as Chinese religions and thus suffice having one of them - Buddhism of which has a higher official percentage representation, represents the Chinese population. Other reasons may include its refusal or failure to institutionalize for fear of losing its religious and traditional essence and risked being orchestrated and manipulated into a mouthpiece of some people with other ulterior agendas.
Buddhism
One will be able to find monasteries and Dharma centres from all three major traditions of Buddhism in Singapore: TheravadaTheravada
Theravada ; literally, "the Teaching of the Elders" or "the Ancient Teaching", is the oldest surviving Buddhist school. It was founded in India...
, Mahayana
Mahayana
Mahāyāna is one of the two main existing branches of Buddhism and a term for classification of Buddhist philosophies and practice...
and Vajrayana
Vajrayana
Vajrayāna Buddhism is also known as Tantric Buddhism, Tantrayāna, Mantrayāna, Secret Mantra, Esoteric Buddhism and the Diamond Vehicle...
. Most Buddhists in Singapore are Chinese and are of the Mahayana tradition. 33.3% of the population of Singapore is Buddhist.
Chinese Mahayana is the most predominant form of Buddhism in Singapore with missionaries from Taiwan and China for several decades. However, Thailand's Theravada Buddhism has seen growing popularity amongst the people (not confining to the Chinese) in the past decade. Soka Gakkai International
Soka Gakkai International
is a lay religious movement within Nichiren Buddhism, a branch of Mahayana Buddhism derived from the teachings of the thirteenth-century Japanese monk, Nichiren Daishonin....
, a Japanese Buddhist organization, is practised by many people, in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, but by mostly those of Chinese descent. Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism is the body of Buddhist religious doctrine and institutions characteristic of Tibet and certain regions of the Himalayas, including northern Nepal, Bhutan, and India . It is the state religion of Bhutan...
is also making a slow inroad into the country in recent years.
No religious affliation
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 gradually over the decades. 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 are getting popular in Singapore. The Singapore Humanism Meetup is a major network of 400 over secular Humanists, freethinkers, atheists, and agnostics. In October 2010, the Humanist Society (Singapore) became the first humanist group to be gazetted as a society.Bahá'í Faith
K. M. Fozdar (1898–1958) and Shirin Fozdar (1905–1992), were the first to introduce the Baha’i Faith to Singapore when they settled here in 1950. Shirin Fozdar was well known throughout Singapore and Asia for her work in the cause of women’s emancipation. Her arrival in Singapore had been preceded by an article in The Straits Times on 15 September 1950 under the heading “A Woman With A Message”.Through the efforts of Dr and Mrs Fozdar, by 1952 there were enough Baha’is in Singapore to form the first Local Spiritual Assembly. The community has since grown to over 2000 members and today there are five Local Spiritual Assemblies in Singapore.They oversee a wide range of activities including the education of children, devotional services, study classes, discussion groups, social functions, observance of holy days, marriages and funeral services.Baha’i marriage is recognised under the laws of Singapore and the solemniser is appointed by the Registrar of Marriages. The Baha’is have been provided with a cemetery in Choa Chu Kang since 1957 and the nine Baha’i Holy Days have been gazetted since 1972. Members of the first Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Singapore, incorporated July 28, 1952. The five Local Spiritual Assemblies come under the jurisdiction of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Singapore, the national governing council which was established in 1972.
The national governing council also appoints the executive members of the various offices which plan and carry out social service projects and collaborate with government and non-government organisations.The Baha’i teachings stress the importance of obedience to civil government and laws. While Baha’is may accept non-partisan government appointments, they do not engage in partisan political activity. The members firmly uphold the injunction of Baha’u’llah, that “they must behave towards the government with loyalty, honesty and truthfulness”.
Islam
Virtually all Malays in Singapore are Muslims. According to the Singapore Census of Population 2010, 98.7% of the Malay population are Muslims with a 1.3% embracing other religions. There are also Indian Muslims of which make up to 22.5% of the Indian population in Singapore. There are also Pakistanis in SingaporePakistanis in Singapore
The majority of Pakistanis in Singapore enter the country as university students. More than 100 Pakistani students study in the National University of Singapore alone. In 2009, 22300 Pakistanis visited Singapore for tourism...
and a few Chinese Muslims, whose figures are not readily available.
Christianity
Christian churches of most denominations are present in Singapore. They were 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. Christianity in Singapore is not tied to a particular ethnic or racial group.In 1985, Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa , born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu , was a Roman Catholic nun of Albanian ethnicity and Indian citizenship, who founded the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India, in 1950...
spoke at a stadium describing her experiences in Calcutta. On 20 November 1986, Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
visited Singapore.
Hinduism
The majority of Singapore's present Hindus are descendants of Indians who migrated soon after the founding of Singapore in 1819. The early temples are still the central points of rituals and festivals, which are held throughout the year.Judaism
There are about 1000 Jews in SingaporeHistory of the Jews in Singapore
The first Jews to settle in Singapore were of Bagdadi origin, mainly from India, who migrated to Singapore soon after Sir Stamford Raffles established Singapore as a trading post in 1819....
. Their religious activities centre around two synagogues, the Maghain Aboth Synagogue
Maghain Aboth Synagogue
The Maghain Aboth Synagogue is a synagogue in Singapore. It is located at Waterloo Street in the Rochor Planning Area, within the Central Area in Singapore's central business district....
and the Chesed-El Synagogue
Chesed-El Synagogue
The Chesed-El Synagogue is a synagogue in Singapore. It is located at Oxley Rise in the River Valley Planning Area, within the Central Area in Singapore's central business district.The synagogue was constructed in 1905...
.
The 1931 census records that the 832 Jews and were the largest house property owners in the city. There were over 1,500 Jewish inhabitants by 1939. Many were interned by the Japanese during World War II, and a number subsequently emigrated to Australia, England, the United States, and Israel. As a result, the community numbered approximately 450 in 1968. In 2005, the number reached 300, but due to a large Ashkenazi immigration rate to Singapore in recent years, the population is now between 800 and 1000 and comprises mostly foreign Ashkenazi Jews
Jainism
There are a few hundred Jains in Singapore but they have no temple as of yet. The Singapore Jain Religious Society has a building at the address of 18 Jalan Yasin, about 300 meters northeast of Eunos MRT StationEunos MRT Station
Eunos MRT Station ' is an above-ground Mass Rapid Transit station on the East West Line in Singapore. It is located next to the Eunos Bus Interchange.-Design:...
.
The Jain community celebrated a presence of 100 years in Singapore marking the occasion by rededicating the "Stanak" and consecrating the idol of Lord Mahaveer. This brings together the two main secs of Jains - stanakvasi (those who do not practice idol worship) and deravasi(those who practice idol worship).
The Jain community in Singapore now is close to 2000 people and the Singapore Jain Religious Society actively engages in keeping traditions and practices alive by imbibing Jain principles to the next generation. It also has a strong history of community involvement.
Restrictions
The constitution provides for freedom of religion; however, other laws and policies restricted this right in some circumstances. Publications and public discussions of religious issues are generally considered out of boundsOB marker
An OB marker, short for "out of bounds marker", is a term used in Singapore to denote what topics are permissible for public discussion. The full form of the word is rarely used....
, and negative or inflammatory portrayals of religion are subject to censorship
Censorship in Singapore
Censorship in Singapore mainly targets sexual, political, racial and religious issues, as defined by out-of-bounds markers.-Implementation:The Media Development Authority approves publications, issues arts entertainment licences and enforces the Free-to-air TV Programme Code, Cable TV Programme...
. The Government does not tolerate speech or actions that it deems could adversely affect racial or religious harmony.
In 1972 the Singapore government de-registered and banned the activities of Jehovah's Witnesses in Singapore on the grounds that its members refuse to perform military service (which is obligatory for all male citizens), salute the flag, or swear oaths of allegiance to the state. Singapore has banned all written materials published by the International Bible Students Association and the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, both publishing arms of the Jehovah's Witnesses. A person in possession of a prohibited publication can be fined up to $1500 (Singapore Dollars $2,000) and jailed up to 12 months for a first conviction.
The Unification Church
Unification Church
The Unification Church is a new religious movement founded by Korean religious leader Sun Myung Moon. In 1954, the Unification Church was formally and legally established in Seoul, South Korea, as The Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity . In 1994, Moon gave the church...
has also been banned in Singapore since 1982.