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Religious harmony in Singapore schools
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Type
Book chapter
Citation
Tan, C., & Wu, S. (2020). Religious harmony in Singapore schools. In J. C.-K. Lee & K. J. Kennedy (Eds.), Religious education in Asia (pp. 59–75). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429321351-5
Abstract
This chapter discusses the promotion of religious harmony in Singapore schools by highlighting the key issues and challenges. It is explained that the notion of religious harmony is situated within a communitarian framework and is part of ‘multiracialism’ in Singapore. Through religious harmony, students in Singapore learn to respect one another’s religions and co-exist in a multi-faith society. The chapter details the enactment of religious harmony in Singapore schools through a variety of school-based and school-community programmes, projects, events and inter-faith dialogues. The last section of the chapter evaluates the extent to which the advancement of religious harmony has been successful in schools. It is argued that the value of religious harmony has been effectively inculcated in Singaporeans as attested to in national surveys. However, an on-going challenge for schools is to go beyond basic tolerance toward a form of tolerance that fosters deeper inter-religious understanding and respect. A major implication from the example of Singapore is the importance of religious harmony that is premised on an appreciation of common human attributes and the reasons for religious differences.
Date Issued
2020
ISBN
9780429321351 (online)
Publisher
Routledge
DOI
10.4324/9780429321351-5