'Don't impose beliefs on others'

'Don't impose beliefs on others'
Interactions in society should be secular, says Law Minister

by Alicia Wong
05:55 AM Apr 19, 2010 Today papers
SINGAPORE - Religious beliefs must remain private and should not be imposed on others - but it can be used to promote good values that all can agree on, said Law Minister K Shanmugam.Mr Shanmugam, who is also the Second Minister for Home Affairs, was speaking to reporters after the Sree Maha Mariamman Temple's consecration ceremony yesterday, which saw over 30,000 devotees turning up for prayers from as early as 6am.Interaction in society, he said, should be based on secular values and arguments, as it would be difficult for people to accept arguments based on another person's religious beliefs. But, Mr Shanmugam added, "if you put forward that argument on the basis it is in the best interest of the community and put it forward on a logical secular basis, then people can accept it".His comments came after Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng spoke last week on concerns over how religious groups were increasingly holding worship events at commercial venues, being involved in business and getting more assertive in evangelising. Mr Shanmugam said such concerns do not "quite apply to temples yet", but increasingly, religiosity is a global trend and Singapore was no exception. He added: "What is important is that there remains a personal space, and we create as large a secular space as possible for us to be able to interact with each other."Also touching on the issue of common and private space yesterday, while celebrating the Tamil New Year with residents in Pasir Ris, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean said each community must have its own space in order to practise its own culture, traditions and beliefs. "But we must also subscribe to a wider common space among all of us where we come together as Singaporeans ... And these common spaces are precious for all of us, just as each community's own space is precious for that community."On the roles of temples, Mr Shanmugam said they see themselves as providers of religious service so people come to temples, and the temples don't usually "go out". He said they can perform a wider role, emphasising education, healthy living.