More studies needed on non-religious demographic

The Humanist Society (Singapore) (HSS) read with interest the report “Greater number of S’poreans not identifying with any religion” (March 10). The General Household Survey 2015 found that more residents now than in 2010 are not identifying themselves with any religion.

Two academics offered some views regarding this. Dr Mathew Mathews suggested that residents may hold religious views while lacking a formal religious affiliation. Dr Tan Ern Ser speculated that some “religionists” may move towards fundamentalism in response to secularisation.

The HSS, comprising more than 100 members, the vast majority of whom have no religious affiliations and beliefs, would like to add our perspective to this discussion.

This development warrants greater in-depth research into the reasoning of the demographic who professed to be non-religious. Drawing from our experience, HSS members aim to live our lives according to secular values such as compassion and rationality.

With regard to possible signs of increasing secularisation here and elsewhere, this is a positive trend. Secularism is the only model that can work for a culturally diverse country such as Singapore. A country that safeguards its secular public space is the best form of society for people of all faiths, or none, to gather and contribute for the greater good of the country.

In contrast, religious fundamentalism is commonly a sad symptom of negative socio-economic circumstances or political conflict. One need only look to various examples: Boko Haram in Nigeria, the Lord’s Resistance Army in Uganda and Daesh in the Middle East.

The HSS calls for more academic research to be conducted on the non-religious population, to interpret this trend better. In the United States and Europe, the body of academic literature on the psychology, sociology and morality of non-religious people is growing.

Research has shown that a lack of religiosity does not weaken empathy or cause unhappiness; in some cases, quite the opposite.