Christianity in Singapore: The Voice of Moral Conscience to the State

Abstract

Christianity has historically been influential in shaping morality, a project which still continues. While substantial literature has addressed the question how conservative Christians in America attempt to maintain moral control, there is little research on the way in which Christianity influences morality in other societies. This study examines the case of Singapore where conservative Christianity dominates the Christian landscape. The first part of this article discusses Christian groups which have become intricately involved in the production and policing of morality in Singapore and the state patronage which this attempt enjoys. This is based on evidence of state support for various Christian based initiatives which focus on the family and sexuality. Also, the recent sites of discord are considered which result from the state's increased tolerance of homosexuality and gambling. Interview data, public speeches, and writings of local church leaders are used to show that the Christian church wants to be the state's voice of conscience. However, while opposing moral degradation, the ‘well disciplined’ Singaporean Christian leaders have carefully negotiated their strategies and tried to avoid being labelled by the state as undesirable voices of conscience.

Notes

NOTES

1. This article is based on a paper presented to the international conference on “Christianity and the State in Asia: Complicity and Conflict”, 10–12 January 2007, organised by the Asia Research Institute at the National University of Singapore.

2. Interviews and data collection were part of other research activities carried out between 2004–2006.

3. Singapore 21 was first launched in 1997 by the then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong to provide the ideals which Singaporean society needed to succeed in the new century. This framework includes a vision for strong families, based on the fact that strong families are vital for the care and support of people in Singapore, especially the young and the elderly (see http://www.singapore.org.sg).

4. A case in point is Focus on the Family which reports research that condoms only have approximately 85% effectiveness, thus asserting that there is really no safe sex, This approach is very different from more liberal groups, such as Action for AIDS. (T. S. Tan)

5. This is a paraphrase of the biblical passage in 2 Timothy 2:26.