A reply to a letter in Straits Times Forum

A letter in Straits Times Forum entitled 'One can always say no to hard-sell religion' (16 April 2008):

I READ with interest the complaint by Ms Wee Feng Yi in her letter on Saturday, 'Let's respect a person's private space in public', in which she expressed her concern over 'the increasingly noticeable trend by Singaporeans to proselytise in public.' Personally, I do not like to be disturbed in public by salespeople peddling their wares, so I empathise with Ms Wee to a certain extent. However, I disagree with her perspective on religious freedom, which she said includes 'the right not to be annoyed by someone who over-enthusiastically tries to promote his or her beliefs'.

Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights defines religious freedom as follows: 'Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes the freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance'.

The Constitution of the Republic of Singapore defines freedom of religion in Article 15 Clause 1: 'Every person has the right to profess and practise his religion and to propagate it'.

For followers of certain religions, having the freedom to practise one's religion includes the freedom to propagate the faith, albeit within certain limits. For example, no follower of any religion should use physical force to advance their cause or compel people to convert.

True allegiance to any religious faith must be voluntary and cannot be compelled by force. If one is compelled to be a member of any religion, then it is no longer a voluntary act of the individual and therefore the essential quality of true faith is lost.

Likewise, a democratic government like ours should not enforce laws requiring or prohibiting different kinds of religious beliefs or practices, with the exception of maintaining internal security as spelt out in the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act. As long as followers of the different religions are propagating their faiths in peaceful and respectful ways, the Government should continue to maintain a level playing field where every religion can compete without restrictions for members in a marketplace of ideas and beliefs.

Unless one uses deceitful or coercive methods, there is nothing fundamentally wrong with presenting the exclusive benefits of one's religion, not unlike companies highlighting the unique benefits of their products in a free market economy of choices whereby one can accept or reject freely. While Ms Wee cannot avoid being approached by members of any religious group, she can definitely exercise her individual right to decline.

A letter in Straits Times Forum

A letter in Straits Times Forum entitled 'Let's respect a person's private space in public' (12 April 2008) by Ms Wee Feng Yi:

I WAS sitting alone in my school canteen one afternoon when a girl came up to me and asked if I had time to spare. Yes, it was yet another get-to-know-God session.

I'm sorry if this sounds impolite, but I've had enough of such encounters in school and other public places.

I find the increasingly noticeable trend by Singaporeans to proselytise in public worrying.

It is not uncommon when one is sitting alone outside Starbucks, or on a bench in school, to find oneself being approached by some stranger who starts introducing his or her concept of religion.

It may be acceptable to spread one's religion by setting up a booth at Orchard Road, putting up a website, or distributing fliers but it should not go further.

Proselytising in school is too much. I am well aware that these people mean well, and feel intensely about their beliefs and that good things are meant to be shared. I feel the same way about my religion too but I do not do what they do because it is not the right way to share my beliefs.

Such get-to-know-God sessions are undemocratic because they indirectly convey the message that a person feels his religion is superior to the beliefs of others, and that others should therefore switch.

It is also intrusive especially if courtesy requires one to listen when one wishes to turn away. I am glad that my friends, who are of a different religion, do not try to convert me.

Religious freedom does include the right not to be annoyed by someone who over-enthusiastically tries to promote his or her beliefs.

Tolerance and acceptance have their limits.

I believe that the only way for a person to win respect for himself and his beliefs is for that person to be a good person first.

He should embody the values which his beliefs teach him, and prove the strength of love through actions, not sermons.

Show me that your beliefs make you a better person, and that your religion makes you care for the world; that is all you need to do.

After encountering one too many sessions in public, I think that there perhaps should be a law to ban such religious touting.