A servant of god, a follower of the state: a comparison between state-Christianity and state-Islam relations in Singapore

• Main Author: Lim, En Chi
• Other Authors: Walid Jumblatt Bin Abdullah
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2024
• Subjects: Social Sciences; Religion; Politics; Singapore; State-religious relations; Religious institutions
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/175584
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The repeal of Section 377A in August 2022 came after decades of contention amongst religious and non-religious Singaporeans. Although several Muslims and Christians were displeased with the repeal, it was noted that in their official statements, the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) had a more pacifist and state-aligned position as compared to that of the National Council of Churches Singapore (NCCS). Furthermore, the management of Islam in Singapore has become so enmeshed with the government as compared to Christianity, who seemingly enjoys a greater degree of independence. Hence, this paper endeavours to explain the difference in state-Islam and state-Christianity relations in Singapore, and uncover why the practise of Christianity in Singapore seemingly enjoys greater liberties as opposed to the practise of Islam. Through primary and secondary research alongside case study examples, I argue that the differing sociohistorical context and evolution of Islam and Christianity in Singapore, as well as the state institutionalisation of Islam had led to the differing dynamics Islam and Christianity shares with the Singapore government.