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30.8.10

Mutual religious harmony is a lie! So is the Cake!

Singapore is a multi-racial and multi-religious society, and for a long time our country's leaders (and most of its people) have strived to overcome their difference and achieve racial and religious harmony. So far, a form of "peace" has been achieved, but is it really possible to achieve a harmonious society where there are different religions?

We have still failed to completely knock down the barriers between people of different faiths. Is this merely because we have not tried hard enough or is it because we are attempting the impossible?

People with different beliefsAtheists, Christians, Muslims, Jews etc.—all disagree (at least to a certain extent) over how life should be lived, about how we should treat others, about what is moral and immoral. Since, then, all of us have no common ground, no inter-religious negotiation or interaction can be carried out, except when a religion promotes acceptance and tolerance of others. Even then, tolerance of another's religion does not equate to complete acceptance, and only is a willingness to not engage in violence and intimidation etc.

The current societal norms and expectations are that people should keep their religious beliefs separate from their public lives. Publications regarding religion are still considered "out-of bounds". This policy is to ensure that religion is not used to incite violence. So then, religious freedom cannot be totally given, in order to preserve peace.

Since different religions or beliefs conflict in some area, how is it possible to achieve true religious harmony, where mutual acceptance of others' religions occurs?

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