Room for faith even in a secular state: Archbishop
7 December 2007
The Straits Times - Room for faith even in a secular state: Archbishop
07 December 2007
Anglican leader says S'pore is a good example of this
By Goh Chin Lian & Jeremy Au Yong
SINGAPORE is a good example of a secular state that takes religion seriously, the Archbishop of Canterbury observed last night.
This endorsement came from Dr Rowan Williams at the end of his week-long visit here.
Speaking to reporters after a public lecture, he said Singapore delivers the message that 'being secular doesn't mean you've got to push religion under the carpet'.
'And being religious doesn't mean you have got to be battling over who is going to run the government,' he said.
This is an important message for certain Western societies to hear, he added.
'It is a good illustration of how in a society that is in some ways neutral and secular, religious growth and religious conviction can flourish very impressively,' he said.
NOT END OF UNITY: Dr Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury says strong religious convictions do not mean the end of social unity. -- ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
This is what struck him over his two visits here this year, during which he met religious and political leaders.
How religious conviction fits in with the current global political climate was also a theme of his lecture, attended by 800 people, including diplomats, MPs, community and religious leaders at the Ritz-Carlton.
During a 40-minute address, he made the point that having strong religious convictions does not mean the end of social unity.
In fact, the more conviction that people have in their religion - regardless of their faith - the less they can justify violence.
The spiritual leader of the Anglican Church also defended the role that religion can play in public life.
Religious difference and the expression that one's belief is absolute is often seen as a major factor in provoking conflict and a threat to social harmony.
But the Archbishop argued in his lecture that disagreement about the truth between religious communities is actually 'crucially important for the health of common life'.
In a speech that took a philosophical turn, he questioned the view that it was religious people talking about the truth that created social conflict.
On the contrary, he said, belief in an absolute truth can actually promote peace.
'The more religious people are utterly serious about the truth of their convictions, the less they will sanction... violence. They would have a trust that what truly is will remain.'
Turning to the role of religious groups in public debate, he noted that religious communities can best defend themselves when they defend the right for others to be heard in the public sphere.
And in some issues, religious bodies may also be expected to argue not for their right to settle the matter, but for a settlement that respects their conviction, he said.
The lecture was jointly organised by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore and the Anglican Diocese of Singapore.
Earlier this week, Dr Williams convened the annual Building Bridges seminar involving Christian and Muslim scholars to discuss inter-faith issues.
The seminar was originally to be held in Malaysia, but was cancelled after the Malaysian government asked for it to be postponed at the last minute.
