Are Singaporeans losing faith, or just dropping the labels?
As a teenager, Ashley Wong spent many Sundays in church, waiting for a feeling that never quite came to her. Family and friends spoke of finding comfort and solace in Christianity during times of trouble, but prayer seemed to offer no such salve for her soul. “There was a detachment that I couldn’t place,” said the 26-year-old marketing executive, who identifies as a freethinker. “I feel like…
A growing number of Singaporeans are questioning their religious affiliations, with a recent government survey revealing a decline in the proportion of residents identifying with traditional faiths. Ashley Wong, a 26-year-old marketing executive, described her own experience of feeling disconnected from Christianity, noting that she was open to the possibility of re-engaging with a religion if she ever felt a stronger connection.
Meanwhile, a 48-year-old aircraft engineer, Sumar Kurya, grew up in a Hindu household but distanced himself from it, feeling that it fostered exclusivity and hostility towards non-believers. He now embraces Hindu cultural practices, such as celebrating Diwali, but does not subscribe to a formal religious belief. The decline in religious affiliation may reflect a shift in cultural values, as Singapore is one of Asia's most pluralistic societies.
However, some experts argue that religious identity remains fluid, with Singaporeans still participating in spiritual practices but viewing them less as institutional memberships.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
