Time to examine role of religious groups’ activities here, abroad

I refer to the letter “Orlando shooting shows need for S’pore to prepare” (June 15), about the need for the private sector and other groups to participate in national security.

Religion has been the cause of many conflicts in history and still is. Maybe consideration should also be given to the role religion plays in our personal lives and national persona.

There is merit in ensuring that religion is not used as a platform here for arguing and/or pursuing a cause.

The practice of religion should be private. As much as it is commendable for large segments of society to be religious, it may be counterproductive should religion be the wedge tearing society apart. The right to practise one’s religion should be sacrosanct and protected, as it already is. That this should be deemed an individual right is sometimes misplaced, however.

There have been many public-interest arguments in which religious views have dominated. The Orlando shooting is a reminder that our world is getting more complex. Was it about religion, homophobia or about being disillusioned and disenfranchised from a society that had promised freedom and opportunities? Who knows?

For a small yet prosperous country, it may be prudent to give some thought to the funding activities of religious groups going out from here.

Other nations may perceive such activities as antagonistic and detrimental to their social harmony or fabric or something worse, when the funding is channelled to unspecified activities unaware to the donor. This issue must be looked at by taking stock of the sensitivities of our neighbours at home and abroad.

Paternalism was a feature of yesterday. Today, the world demands autonomy and respect towards our fellow humans. Such an attitude goes a long way towards our own maturity and is maybe a cue for our security; we cannot impose on others if we do not want others to do likewise to us.