Abstract

Singapore is a religious nation in Southeast Asia that allows its citizens to worship the religion of their choice freely. The major religions in Singapore are Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam. Buddhism is the primary religion with a proximately 33 % followers, followed by Christianity with 18% followers, and Islam with 14 % followers. The constitution protects each region’s faith, and citizens are free to follow their chosen religion. Further, in Singapore, no religion is superior to others.

Additionally, religion in Singapore is characterized by different beliefs, practices, and doctrines. The inter-religion organization is a body mandated to regulate and monitor the activities of other faiths in Singapore. There is no conflict among members of a different religious organization.

1. Brief Introduction About Singapore

Singapore is a country in Southeast Asia that separated from Malaysian in 1965. According to the world bank survey of 2018, Singapore has a population of 5.639 million with a gross domestic product of 364.2 billion USD. The current democratically elected president of Singapore is Halimah Yacob. Further, Singapore has one of the highest literacy levels of 97.345 compared to most counties in the world. This high level of literacy is attributed to government systems that prioritize education in the country.

Further, most parents believe that the best investment they can give to their children is education. Therefore, every household competes to ensure that all family members are educated at least to the university level. Further, Singapore’s government has made primary education compulsory for all children under the age of 18 years. Each parent is required by law to take their children to school. The other attribute that has contributed to the high literacy level is the cost of education. There is free basic education in Singapore that has motivated most parents and guardians to take their children to school.

There are four major official languages spoken and practiced in Singapore. These languages are English, Malay, Tamil, and Mandarin. Though all these languages are accepted as official, Malay is the national language of Singapore. Most people in Singapore are multilingual, with the majority able to speak and write in Malay. The government of Singapore supports religious activities in the country. For example, residents of Singapore who live in state-owned houses are encouraged to subscribe to at least one religious’ organization. Further, the education syllabus has integrated spiritual teachings.

Singapore constitution guarantee citizen freedom of religion. Though the constitution allows freedom of religion, the government has restricted two religious organizations whose activities and operations are suspicious. The two religious organizations banned in Singapore if Unification Church and Jehovah’s Witness. Banned religious organizations are associated with satanic worship. Due to ethnic diversity, there are many religious organizations in Singapore. Each ethnic group has its religion that they believe in its teachings and doctrines. Each region is based on the immigrant and indigenous people of Singapore. The constitution protects all the faith, and the government treats each religion equally. No religion is considered superior or more important than other religions. Further, the government of Singapore has allowed each religion to worship their specific day. Therefore, there is support and corporation by the government and other state organs concerned with the country’s religious activities.

The primary religion in Singapore is Buddhism. Buddhism was introduced in Singapore by Chinese, Thai, and Sri Lankans. A third of Singapore’s population profess Buddhism and is the most prominent because major ethnic tribes introduced it. For example, Chinese immigrants introduced a branch of Buddhism called Mahayana. Therefore, the spread of Buddhism in Singapore is based on indigenous and immigrants. Each ethnic grouping defines the kind of worship and belief professed by each branch of Buddhism.

The next largest religion in Singapore after Buddhism is Christianity. Christianity was introduced by the British when they first entered Singapore as explorers, colonialists, and volunteers. These early Christians followed the teachings of British doctrines during worship and praise services. Christianity in Singapore is divided into a small denomination. Each denomination follows its principles and practices. The major Christian denominations are protestants and Catholics. Protestants worship on Saturday while Catholics worship on Sunday. The population of the Christian faith belief and worship and follow Christ’s teachings. Further, Christians in Singapore believe that the only way to inherit eternal life is through repentance and baptism. Additionally, Christians believe in one God and life after death.

Another religion prominent religion in Singapore is Islam. Islam is the third-largest population in Singapore. This religion was introduced when Singapore separated from Malaysian in 1965. The largest ethnic population that follows Islam teachings and doctrines is Malay. Malay ethnicity is regarded as one of the indigenous people of Singapore. Muslims in Singapore participate in charity organizations and support vulnerable people in society. Therefore, Islam is considered to be one of the social pillars of society.

The religious organizations in Singapore are required by law to be registered under the Societies Act. The Societies Act regulates, register, and solve any conflict that might arise among different religious organizations. Buddha’s three fundamental teachings: the four noble truths, the three universal truths, and the noble eightfold path. On the other hand, Islam has five pillars which form the foundation of their faith, which include: haji, which consists of a visit to the holy places, salah prayer, which they do at specific times of the day, zakat giving of alms, and acts of charity to the less fortunate members of society sawm fasting which they do from time to time but the most significant is the one they do during the holy month of Ramadhan and shahada which is the declaration of faith.

4. How a Christian manager/ leader prepares to address religious differences while working in Singapore

The first thing a Christian leader must address the religious differences is to understand different doctrines, beliefs, and practices of other religions. When a Christian manager understands how other religions operate, they can effectively address the religious differences without causing conflict or misunderstanding. For example, Buddhism believes that once a person has died, they will be reborn, while Christians believe in life after death. Though Buddhism and Christianity believe in life after death, Buddhism believes in rebirth. On the other hand, Christians believe that there is life after death because one died as a believer and a born again individual. Therefore, a Christian manager must understand these two differences in life belief after death as practiced by Buddhism. Once a Christian leader understands the different practices, they should incorporate both ways and thoughts when addressing Buddhism. By addressing the differences, they can avoid conflict that might arise because of two other believes in life after death.

Another essential difference between Buddhism Christianity a Christian should address is the suffering of the faithful. For example, Buddhism believes that the region should set people free from suffering, while Christians believe that people should endure suffering. Further, Christian believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross to end suffering. Therefore, a Christian manager should understand the doctrine of suffering as outline in Buddhism teachings and beliefs. After the leader has understood the philosophy about torture, they will be addressing this difference by explaining the reasons behind the suffering. For example, a Christian leader will explain that believers suffer on behave of fellow believers as a show of sacrifice for others.

Further, it is the responsibility of a Christian leader to provide illustrations to explain to Buddhists the reason for sacrificing for others.

Additionally, religion is supposed to help the believer ensure that their family members, friends, and society live a happy and fulfilling life. A religious person can not assume to live a happy life when their neighbor is suffering. Therefore, a Christian leader needs to address the difference in the doctrines of suffering as Buddhism society believed.

Another crucial issue between Islam and Christianity that a Christian leader should address is about Jesus. Muslims believe that Jesus is the last prophet, while Christians believe that Jesus is a son of God. Further, Christians believe that Jesus is God, and the only way to reach eternal heaven is following the teaching of Jesus Christ. On the other hand, Muslims believe that the only way to heaven is by following the footsteps and instructions of Mohammed. According to Muslims, the prophet Mohamed is the last prophet, and all believers must follow his teachings. Therefore, before a Christian leader addresses the differences between Jesus and Mohammed, they need to understand these two individuals. Further, a Christian leader should know that Muslims do not value Jesus Christ as a son of God but as one of the prophets. Once a Christian leader has understood the doctrine of Jesus Christ and Mohammed, they can use the similarities to address the issue that touches on the principles of Jesus and Mohammed.

Another essential component that a Christian leader should address is the doctrine of marriage. Muslims believe in marrying more than one wife, while Christians believe in marrying one wife. Though it has been shown in the bible that some believers married more than one wife, the bible does not advocate for polygamous marriage. Christians believe that marrying more than one wife is sinful, and a person cannot go to heaven if they married more than one wife unless they repent and get baptized. Therefore, a Christian leader should teach people why they should not marry more than one wife. For example, it’s expensive for a man to take care of many wives and children.