Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong says Singapore is blessed with religious diversity and harmony.
Speaking at the opening of the Bartley Christian Church, he points out
that people of different faiths live happily side by side here.
Religious institutions also reach out to the larger community.
"They do not just cater a minister to their own flock. They are
actually an integral part of a larger community. So you have the
Bartley Christian Church reaching out to the Ramakrishnan Mission,
reaching out to the Braddell Heights CC. And likewise other
institutions in Singapore are doing the same thing."
SM Goh points out that leaders from the Inter-Religious Organisation
meet often and they are able to react quickly to any misunderstandings
to put things right.
MP for Marine Parade GRC, Seah Kian Peng, who was also present at the opening, shares the same sentiment.
Mr Seah says tolerance and acceptance among people of different faiths help create an ever increasing circle of common space.
And Singapore needs this space to help it move forward as one community.
"In recent weeks, we have seen the importance of churches as well as
the role of respect and sensitivity in public discourse. Let us not
forget that our speeches are heard by many who may not be present at
the event. We have to be prepared to defend our statement and our views
to a larger audience. And we can certainly usefully put forward our own
positions and views without running others down."
These comments come in the light a recent issue involving Pastor Rony
Tan from Lighthouse Evangelism who made insensitive remarks about the
Buddhist and Taoist faiths.
He has since personally apologised to the leaders of the two religions and they have accepted his apology.
--938Live
In a draconian-ruled country like Singapore - everything piped dream is possible.
Including Universal Dreamworld of make-believes.
What is Goh CHok tong's religion?