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SINGAPORE: Singaporeans have once again been reminded that they must not run down or trivialise the beliefs of others.
Weighing in on the episode surrounding Pastor Rony Tan from Lighthouse Evangelism, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong explained that Singaporeans are free to profess any faith, and to practise and promote their religions.
However, this must be done responsibly.
Speaking at the opening of the Singapore Jain Religious Society's building on Saturday, Mr Goh said citizens must respect not only the common spaces that other Singaporeans live, work and play in, they must also respect their separate space.
That is a key principle underpinning the peace and social cohesion that Singapore has.
Senior Minister Goh said that was why the Home Affairs Ministry had to act firmly in response to the insensitive comments by Pastor Rony Tan from Lighthouse Evangelism recently.
Mr Goh continued to say he is glad that the matter has been resolved.
However, he cautioned that in the future, there may be the occasional misunderstanding between people of different races and religions.
When it occurs, people must act quickly, exercise tolerance, respect any different viewpoints as being part and parcel of the multicultural social fabric and try to resolve the misunderstanding sincerely.
Mr Goh emphasised that the government and the people have worked hard to maintain the country's social harmony.
Singaporeans have grown up with diversity in their midst - in schools, while doing National Service, in housing estates and workplaces.
But more can be done to enhance mutual understanding of one another.
Mr Goh said he believes Singaporeans will find more commonalities than differences by reaching out to one another.
"Our success in forging a multi-racial and multi-religious society has sometimes resulted in Singaporeans, especially younger Singaporeans, taking the harmony we enjoy for granted," Mr Goh said.
"No one is surprised when they hear of families of different races and religions living happily together in HDB flats. For example, in Blk 33 of Marine Crescent, on the 13th floor, you have Muslims, Catholics and Buddhists living side-by-side. In the same block, on the 3rd floor, there are Hindu, Taoist and Christian families happily sharing a common corridor.
"Last December, I attended a year-end Christmas Party organised by an RC in Marine Parade. The RC chairman is a Christian; the vice-chairman a Buddhist and the treasurer a Muslim.
"The resident who dressed up as Santa Claus is a Hindu grandfather! Working together, they drew out many residents of different races and religions for the party. We sang Christmas carols together, thoroughly enjoying ourselves."
- CNA/yb
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