“Muscular” versus “Liberal” Secularism and the religious fundamentalist challenge in Singapore
This essay examines how the divisive forces of religious fundamentalism have been a recurring feature of Singapore’s history. It shows why events in 2009 and 2010 appear to suggest that the Singapore State may well be justified in continuing to consider religious fundamentalism...
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| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Working Paper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2011
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10356/90753 http://hdl.handle.net/10220/6520 |
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| Institution: | Nanyang Technological University |
| Language: | English |
| Summary: | This essay examines how the divisive forces of religious fundamentalism have been a
recurring feature of Singapore’s history. It shows why events in 2009 and 2010
appear to suggest that the Singapore State may well be justified in continuing to
consider religious fundamentalism as a potential threat to the social fabric of the
nation. The essay then addresses two contending perspectives in coping with religious
fundamentalism in Singapore, the so-called “Muscular Secularist” and “Liberal
Secularist” views – the former favoured by the State and the latter reflecting the
aspirations of some sections of civil society. The essay discusses the increasing
pressure both from inside and outside Singapore on the State to soften its no-nonsense
Muscular Secularist stance on coping with religious fundamentalism in Singapore and
imbibe elements of the more nuanced Liberal Secularist perspective. Finally, it
explains why Muscular Secularism is likely to remain the State’s preferred philosophy
for managing religious fundamentalism for the foreseeable future. |
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