Religion

In Singapore are essentially represented the following religions: Buddhism (42.5% of the total population), Islam (14.9%), Taoism (8.5%), Hinduism (4%), Christianity (14.6%, of which 4 , 8% Catholic), others with 0.7%. 14.8% of Singapore’s population profess to belong to no religion (Source: Census 2000). The activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Unification Church in Singapore is prohibited.

The city state aims to become a center of world-wide dialogue between religions are. Singapore wants to launch in 2008, a international inter-religious conference. This proposal, Minister Goh Chok Tong during his visit to the Vatican submit. Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone was the proposal to have been very receptive, the paper quoted Goh [3].

While in many countries is inconceivable, institutions of various religions in close proximity to each other to find this in Singapore because of its limited land are not uncommon. Hindu temples or Islamic mosques are located as well as Buddhist temples or churches side by side or directly opposite each other. Conflicts because of the narrowness does not exist. As easy as reaching harmony, is the result of years of effort, equality and mutual respect be guaranteed. For example, the canteens of all state schools to halal requirements – the halal dishes will be separated from the others. The pupils or students, however, eat together, they bring only their dishes after meals to other places back. This is just one of many approaches in Singapore, the close interactions between people of different religion, while each of the space for his own religion guarantee. The Sri Mariamman Temple in the heart of Chinatown is another example of the strange coexistence of people in Singapore.