Singapore - belief and religion
The Singaporean society is basically the plural society that embraces the diversity of the four dominant ethnic groups, the Chinese, the Malay, the Indian and the others. It results in separating their residential areas where their beliefs and religions are variedly different.
According to ASEAN Division under Department of Trade Negotiations (March 2015), it shows that Singapore has 5.4 million populations with 33.9% of Buddhists, 14.3% of Islamic, 11.3% of Taoist, 7.1% of Catholic, 5.2% of Hindu, 11% of other Christian Churches and 0.7% of other religions. (ASEAN Division Department of Trade negotiations, 2016)
1. Major religions of the Chinese ethnic group
1.1 Buddhism
The Singaporeans are mostly Oversea Chinese, the early pioneers in introducing Mahayana Buddhism to Singapore. The Mahayana Buddhism has been flourishing until these days. Buddhist activities are also regularly held. For example, the Buddhist schools have been set up to teach Buddhist doctrines on every Sunday. Buddhist public seminars held at the Buddhist temples and educational institutions are also seen. Many organizations of Singaporean Buddhist federation such as the Singaporean Buddhist, Singaporean Women’s Buddhist Institution and Buddhayan Organization of Singapore were established to serve the purpose of spreading the religion.
Singapore has seen many of Mahayana temples and Buddhist associations serving the purposes of spreading the religion, setting up their schools and opening the orphanages. In addition to Mahayana temples, Singapore also houses Theravada temples representing Thai and Lanka temples. The two major Thai temples are Wat Ananda Metyarama, the first Thai temple in Singapore built in 1936, and Wat Pa Lelai built in 1963. There are 25 Thai temples operating under the Council of Thai Bhikkus in Singapore. (วีณ์ วุฒิชัยและคณะ, 2556, หน้า 35-36)
1.2 Taoism
The founder of Taoism is Laozhi. Laozhi had appeared intelligent since he was very young. He always made careful observations on nature, behaved in nature-appreciation fashion and lived in solitude. When he grew older, he was a senior official working for Personnel Administration Division where he was serving as a philosopher and a historian of the court.
The Chinese ethnic group had first immigrated to Singapore in the 19th century when Buddhism started to merge with Taoist beliefs. Therefore, two groups of people sharing the similar beliefs just merged together.
These days Laozhi’s teachings are still enormously influential. Either Taoist school or Taoist religion that it has been recognized is a source of knowledge that the Taoist philosophers have improved and passed on. It thus has become the intellectual treasure for the world to extensively study and apply what is acquired to practices.
2. The Malay ethnic group
Islam religion from the Middle East started spreading in India and later to Southeast Asia especially the archipelagos. The Islamic invasion directly affected people in this region as Islam is theism. Allah is the only god, so it is unimaginable Islam would be blended in with the existing religions.
The Malay society is bonded with Islam. It is not only functioning as religious doctrines but also as ways of life and a referential source of the mind and soul. Though most of the Muslim immigrated here for a better chance in life, some travelled to Singapore just for a pilgrimage to Mecca. It cost them to stay in Singapore for the rest of their life just to collect money for the journey or work to pay off the debts.
3. The Indian ethnic group
3.1 Islam
The Islamic Indian is a group of Indian emigrating from the southern parts of India nearby Coromandel Coast. They are Tulikans, Nanaks, Mamaks while those emigrating from Malabar Coast are Malayalees or Kakaks being well-known as the Moplah.
3.2 Hinduism
The religion started spreading in the 19th century after the Indian had immigrated to Malay Peninsula. Most of them were Hindus from Hindustan and Baikal.
3.3 Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism is one of the Semitic religions. It first came into existence in India or Ancient Persia. It had been one of the major religions of the Persian since 7th century BC before Iranian turned to Islam.
Zoroastrianism came into existence between 400-1,000 BBE. Its religious scripture is Avesta believed to play a vital role in Judaism’s developments as well as the birth of Christianity.
The founder of the religion was Persian. The Aryan had practiced a sun-worshipping ritual in which they would keep the fire burning all day and night. The Zoroastrians adopted this ritual to be part of their religious practice; therefore, fire has become a symbol of Zoroastrianism since.
4. Other ethnic groups
4.1 Christianity
The westerners introduced Catholic Church during the time when they started trading in Singapore. As a result, a number of the Catholics was drastically increasing.
Singapore is one of the wealthiest nations in the world. Its society is in a good order. The Singaporean government has a reputation on exercising its absolute power. The Singaporean people are focused on their success and are determined to work hard.
Not long ago many new churches such as City Harvest Church, Faith Community Baptist, and Protestant Christianity have flourished and successfully attracted new members. In English, these are called Mega Church.
Any meeting or preaching is considered a phenomenon for the Singaporean society because its people have started finding something to hold onto. When they go for a preaching, a preacher or a priest always improves their motivations in succeeding things in life. The purpose of these new religions is to evoke good feelings with happy stories. They are different from the preaching of those conservative churches where restrictions are imposed. What we cannot overlook is the fact that thousands of foreigners are living in Singapore. Each and every one of them needs spiritual security.
