http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Singapore Fashionable Religion 时尚宗教信仰
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Religion in Singapore
[Quoting from
Wikipedia – Religion in Singapore]
Religion in Singapore is characterized by a diversity of religious beliefs and practices due to its diverse ethnic mix of peoples originating from various countries. Most major religious denominations are present in
Singapore.
The most followed religion is
Buddhism, with 33% of the resident population declaring themselves as adherents at the most recent census.
Tolerance
The government of Singapore has attempted to transcend religious and racial boundaries.[
citation needed] Some religions, especially those spearheaded by
Chinese ethnic groups, have merged their places of worship with other religions such as Hinduism and Islam.
A prominent example is that of Loyang Tua Pek Kong Temple (situated in the eastern coastal line) wherein three religions, namely Taoism, Hinduism, and Islam are co-located.
Younger Singaporeans tend to combine traditional wisdom with religious beliefs introduced when the British colonized Singapore; for example, South Bridge Street, which was a major road through the old
Chinatown, is home to the
Sri Mariamman Temple (a south Indian Hindu temple that was declared a national historical site in the 1980s), as well as the
Masjid Jamae Mosque that served Chulia Muslims from India's
Coromandel Coast.
Mixed-race classes, interaction between students of different races and the celebration of religious festivals also help inculcate religious tolerance and understanding from a young age.
Another religious landmark in Singapore is the
Armenian Church of Gregory the Illuminator, the oldest church in Singapore, which was completed in 1836. It was also the first building in Singapore to have an
electricity supply, when electric
fans and
lights were installed. Today, the church no longer holds
Armenian services, as the last Armenian
priest retired in the 1930s. Nonetheless, the church and its grounds have been carefully preserved and various
Orthodox Church services are still held in it occasionally and
Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria service on the first weekend of every month.
The
Jehovah's Witnesses and the
Unification Church are banned in Singapore.
Diversity
The Singapore census includes detailed data on religion and ethnicity, and is taken on a ten-year basis. Figures for religion for the past three decades are.
| Major Religions in Singapore |
|---|
| Religion | Year | | Adherences | Change |
| Buddhism | 1990 |
| 31.2% |
| 2000 |
| 42.5% | +11.3% |
| 2010 |
| 33.3% | -9.2% |
| Christianity | 1990 |
| 12.7% |
| 2000 |
| 14.6% | +1.9% |
| 2010 |
| 18.3% | +3.7% |
| Hinduism | 1990 |
| 3.7% |
| 2000 |
| 4.0% | +0.3% |
| 2010 |
| 5.1% | +1.1% |
| Islam | 1990 |
| 15.3% |
| 2000 |
| 14.9% | -0.4% |
| 2010 |
| 14.7% | -0.2% |
| Taoism | 1990 |
| 22.4% |
| 2000 |
| 8.5% | -13.9% |
| 2010 |
| 10.9% | +2.4% |
| Other religions | 1990 |
| 0.6% |
| 2000 |
| 0.6% | +0.0% |
| 2010 |
| 0.7% | +0.1% |
| No Religion | 1990 |
| 14.1% |
| 2000 |
| 14.8% | +0.7% |
| 2010 |
| 17.0% | +2.2% |
| Adherences amongst total resident population aged 15 years and above |
The above figures refer to the resident population only, and do not include the non-resident population. (Singapore authorities do not release figures for the non-resident population which accounted for 18.33% of Singapore's population in 2005.)
Most Singaporeans celebrate the major festivals associated with their respective religions. The variety of religions is a direct reflection of the diversity of races living there. The Chinese are predominantly followers of Buddhism and Taoism with some exceptional agnostics. Malays are mostly Muslims and Indians are mostly Hindus but with significant numbers of Muslims and Sikhs from the Indian ethnic groups.
Religion is still an integral part of cosmopolitan Singapore. Many of its most interesting buildings are religious, be it old temples, modern churches, or exotic mosques. An understanding of these buildings do play a part in contributing to appreciation of their art.
Taoist, Confucianism, and Buddhist figures together with ancestral worship are combined into a versatile mix in Chinese tradition temples. In fact, these three religions had exerted their influences over Chinese cultures and traditions since ancient times. It is sometimes difficult to tell them apart when examining the Chinese heritage.
---
Dear all, I have noticed that many people think that Religion is a fashionable pursuit!
Hahaha! No Kidding! :)
Let me tell a story.
AA's son is diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer.
She, of Roman Catholic faith, prepared a 20-paged Plead to God to save her son.
The son, sitting in a reclining chair, wore a shirt un-buttoned, and followed his mom, in reading out the Plead.
SZ told me to go sit down with them and "Observe". :)
I felt strong "electric" currents around us, bespeaking great Divine presences.
Then my sight were drawn to the statue of Jesus Christ near the fire-place.
Hahaha!
There is a statue of Saint Mary too about the same height of 2 feet, as the JC one.
However, the JC one has stronger "currents" radiating outwards! :)
After the reading session of this Plead, I told AA's son that he should sit upright and button up his shirt and be neat and tidy next time he reads the Plead again.
AA quickly jumped into defending her son, saying that there is no need to be neat and tidy at all.
Then she said that she goes to church every Sunday wearing her favorite hat and the priest praises her dressing well for church!
She further elaborated how she dresses up for Church ......
Hahaha! She contradicted herself!
My point is, many goes to churches or temples meeting, not solely to worship, but with their own Private Agendas. :)
My uncle of 70, became a Christian through a ceremony in a Church and he told me his reason is that people attending this Church gets prosperous and he wants to win lottery to get rich easily!
He was of Taoist leaning from birth!
In a local monastery that I used to frequent, the Rich & Famous would arrived in chauffeur driven luxurious vehicles with maids in tow, dressed in their finery.
Some would "preen" and escalate their own status and "talking down" to temple staff and fellow worshipers.
It is an interesting sight.
Buddha teaches all to have the Equality Mindset. Pride & Ego are constituents of Unwholesome Thoughts and Respective Actions.
Hahaha! Now look at those attending SZ's events!
How many are genuinely interested in cultivating to succor themselves?
How many are there just to "preen" & show off their wealth?
Who started the reading out of names of VIPs visitors?
Who is still luring people with promises of wealth, power, ..... to attend SZ's events?
Who is reaping great profits from "Selling SZ"?
At this time (10:45 am) on Saturday, SZ would be the unwilling one being shoo out to "Entertain" VIPs or the "Specially Arranged Lunches" with Consultation + Blessing thrown in!
Lets see what time SZ will arrive at Caotun Temple today, shall we?
Hahaha!
If these "entertainment" programs are not halted, SZ might just do a Rainbow Body "Evaporation" into the Universe Void!
Then the Care-givers of SZ are the culprits of Severing Others' Wisdom Lives forever & Forcing a Living Buddha to leave this Realm earlier than "Scheduled"!!!
Hahaha! Think I am Kidding?
Religion to some, is doing what your peer or neighbors do!
Why? Because it seems to be the Fashionable or "In" thing to do!!!
Cheers all.
Om Guru Lian Sheng Siddhi Hom
Lama Lotuschef
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