Humanist Society (Singapore)

THE last two years have seen religious and community leaders calling for the protection of Singapore's secular space.

 

Now, adding to that voice is a small but growing number of individuals who call themselves 'secular humanists'.

 

The group of 12 or so people - mainly atheists and agnostics - was gazetted as the Humanist Society (Singapore) last month. This is the first such group here to be gazetted, and among the handful of other similar groups that have recently surfaced for people looking to discuss religion - from a secular perspective.

 

Humanist Society president Paul Tobin, 46, said his society was the first here that "specifically catered for people with no religious affiliation".

 

"We believe that human beings can live meaningful lives, guided by reason and science - not 'God'."

 

Secular humanists believe that morality and meaning come from humanity and the natural world. They do not rely on supernatural explanations, but on an ethical stand based on reason and compassion.

 

The group's members so far include students, civil servants, private-sector managers and lawyers.

 

They meet about once a month to exchange ideas on current affairs, or to talk about their philosophy as non-religious people.

 

Like Mr Tobin, they share a sceptical view of religious dogma and what they see as its growing impact on social issues such as public health and education.

 

Last year, an attempt by some conservative Christians to take over a women's advocacy group prompted unease among some people over the potential influence of religion on social policy.

 

The number of non-religious people here has risen slightly over the years. Figures from census reports  show that those who said they had no religion rose from 13 per cent in 1980 to 14.8 per cent in 2000,  slightly outnumbering Christians at 14.6 per cent. Corresponding figures from the 2010 census were not available.

 

Buddhists and Taoists made up 51 per cent, while Muslims and Hindus were at nearly 15 per cent and at 4 per cent respectively.

 

      

 

Unlike religious groups that worship in, say, a temple, church or synagogue, non-religious people have  little opportunity - or need - to band together.

 

But that is changing, said Dr Daniel Goh, an assistant professor of sociology at the National University of  Singapore.

 

Dr Goh, whose research area is religion and multi-culturalism in Malaysia and Singapore, said that atheists and agnostics are beginning to feel left out in a growing national dialogue about the role of religion in secular society.

 

"They want to contribute to the debate. They want to be heard."

 

Dr Goh said also that Singaporeans often associate religious people with a "strong sense of morality". Consequently, those who profess not to have a religion may be judged to be immoral or amoral, he added.

 

"Non-religious people sometimes feel they have to explain, or justify, their atheism."

 

That desire in fact has become increasingly audible, driven in part perhaps by the recent success of books such as The God Delusion (2006) by evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins, and God Is Not Great (2007) by journalist Christopher Hitchens.

 

It led Mr Ryan Song, a public servant, to set up an online group in 2008 called Singapore Humanism Meetup. The group, which has since grown to 430 members, meets monthly to discuss topics like ethics, philosophy and science. Participants range widely in age, but most are between 20 and 40 years old. Many are well-educated and articulate.

 

Over the two years, Mr Song, 31, has organised 30 private gatherings with activities that range from educational talks to social dinners and book club meetings.

 

Several members of the Humanist Society met at these events.

 

Said the society's treasurer Eugene Tay, a 23-year-old engineering student: "As a non-believer, I felt comfortable coming to these meetings, to know I won't be judged for saying, 'I don't believe in God'."

 

Ms Denise Liu, 27, a civil servant, agreed. "We can be fulfilled individuals - with a religion, or without."