Faithful should not fear misrepresentation of religion in news

I refer to the letter “Terrorism has no religion” (Dec 22). The Associated Press’ stylebook last year defines “Islamist” as an “advocate or supporter of a political movement that favours reordering government and society in accordance with laws prescribed by Islam”.

It adds: “Do not use as a synonym for Islamic fighters, militants, extremists or radicals, who may or may not be Islamists.” If a terrorist group’s ideology fits the definition, then it can be described as “Islamist”.

If a group claims a particular religious ideology as the basis for its actions, then news agencies would naturally describe it as belonging to the religion.

Whether its actions and claims are commensurate with the religion itself is for the leaders, theologians and other adherents of the religion to decide.

For news agencies to avoid reporting the facts for fear of hurting religious sensitivities is to deny people of truth.

The faithful in Singapore should not fear that their religions have been misrepresented by such reporting, as anyone can walk into a place of worship here and enquire for themselves what the religion in that place espouses.

The contributions of various religious groups to improving the lives of Singaporeans are also plain for all to see.

If what one believes is pure, peaceable, sincere, gentle, open to reason and full of mercy and good, one should believe in it boldly, even if some may pervert it, albeit to their own destruction.