The state, religion and the public sphere in Singapore

• Main Author: Jap Meily Tri Hamdayani
• Other Authors: Kamaludeen Mohamed Nasir
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2015
• Subjects: DRNTU::Social sciences::Sociology::Social control
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/62380
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Modernity has made it difficult to see beyond the need to discipline oneself to a certain set of rules. Sometimes even the State produces initiatives that seem immoral or are against the values it used to promote in the society. In such cases, how do religious institutions react in order to maintain morality and order in their congregation and the society? Through interviews with Christian, Muslim and Buddhist religious leaders, this paper will examine (a) the view of religious leaders towards the casino (b) the strategies of religious leaders in the management of immoralities (c) religious views towards economic development and (d) participation of religion in the public sphere. The study reveals that religious institutions are still active in the management of morality in Singapore and that the State are involved in the social control of religion to ensure that the State’s interests do not clash with religious values.