THE national census was cited in describing the popularity or decline of a religion in Monday's report ('Taoist authority to count devotees in 2011').
However, one must exercise caution in inferring religious developments from the census.
First, the census presents religion only from a Western framework.
Based on Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam), where faith is central, religions defined under this paradigm are exclusive, with devotees subscribing to one, but not more, religions.
However, in Asian religions (Taoism, Buddhism and Hinduism) where greater emphasis is placed upon practices and deeds, religions need not be exclusive.
In China for instance, people have historically drawn philosophies and practices collectively from Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism, which are also known as 'the Three Teachings'.
Such syncretism is not regarded as contradictory as the three religions are perceived as complementary, rather than competing. Inferring from the census misses such linkages and mutual influence among religions.
Second, the census may encourage a view of religions as competing systems.
In India, for instance, where communities of Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs had largely lived in harmony, the census conducted by the British colonial authorities had led to a hardening of religious identities, eventually breeding suspicion and animosity that created religious tensions which still exist today.
In Singapore, where races and religions co-exist, such competition among religions is unhealthy and can harm the social fabric.
While the census is useful for detailing changes within the population, care must be taken to avoid oversimplification or misrepresentation of its results.
-- ST Forum (16/12/2010)