Earlier this month, I attended the annual meeting of Humanists International, a global membership organization of atheist, humanist, and other secular groups that American Atheists is proud to support.
This year’s meeting in Singapore allowed us to connect with our international partners and learn more about the state of secularism and freedom of thought around the world. It was a stark reminder that the freedom to practice—or not practice—any religion without government interference is worryingly rare across the globe. The right to criticize deeply held religious beliefs is often limited, or even banned, in the name of “protecting” religious feelings or preserving the status quo.
Despite frequent attacks on the separation of state and church—and societal stigma we American atheists still face—we are fortunate to live in a pluralistic, secular democracy that values free expression.
The nation of Singapore, home to almost 6 million people in an area that is less than half the size of Rhode Island, is incredibly diverse. Buddhists represent the single largest religious demographic at approximately 30%, followed by the nonreligious at 20%, Christians at 19%, Muslims at 15%, Taoists at 9%, and Hindus at 5%.
Surveys of Singaporeans tend to show that members of all religious groups are pluralistic in their views, and there is no strong religious nationalist movement in the country. Few say that being Buddhist (or any particular religion) is essential to being truly Singaporean.
These views, and the accompanying emphasis on interfaith harmony, have been reinforced and supported by government action since the earliest days of Singapore’s founding in 1965. The government imposes significant state oversight on religious practices to maintain social harmony—exercising a level of control that would be unthinkable here in the United States.
Religious groups must register with authorities; public protest and expression are closely monitored; and organizations deemed “divisive” can be banned outright. Sermons, speeches, and lectures on religious topics, including by atheists and the nonreligious, can be subject to government approval. And according to the Freedom of Thought Report from Humanists International, Singaporean law prohibits insulting religion, wounding the religious feelings of others, or inciting hostility or hatred between local religious groups.
Put simply: Free expression and free speech are of secondary importance compared to order, unity, and harmony. While this approach aims to prevent conflict, it comes at the expense of individual liberties.
I don’t want to pretend for one moment that the United States gets it right every time when it comes to balancing conflicting rights. The interplay between freedom of expression, free exercise, and the Establishment Clause in our Constitution is constantly being renegotiated.
Our ability to celebrate the tremendous religious diversity of our nation—and the people who make it so diverse—is constantly tested.
And while Singapore and the United States strike these balances very differently from one another, in neither of our countries do mobs of religious extremists hunt down and murder apostates or dissenters while the state looks the other way. In neither nation are atheists forced to meet in secret to avoid being charged with crimes that carry the death penalty.
For many of our partners in other parts of the world, that is the tragic reality of their activism—existence, even—as atheists and humanists. Being a part of Humanists International, supporting their work to build capacity and elevate the voices of our global secular community, is both an obligation and a privilege.
In solidarity,
Nick Fish
President
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