Racial Harmony?

Have you ever wondered about how different religions are perceived?

Notice, how when we think of Muslims, we think - no pork. When we think of Catholics, we think - no condoms, no meat on Fridays. We think of Buddhists and we think - must respect life and vegetarian. Hindu - no beef.

Why is it that in a country where racial and religious harmony is promoted, we are still thinking in terms of the rules that differentiate us? And how strangely those bound by no religions look at us when we seem to be living life bound by rules that make little sense to those who are 'liberated'?

Are we really suffering; is religion really a burden to life?

I don't think so. Religion is a way of life. It is a whole experience, a discipline, a lifestyle, a testimony to those who have gone before us (marked with the sign of faith).

Unlike the traditions of old, when children were born into a practice and lived it without question, Generation Y is now able to choose their religion - discarding the difficult ones and picking the convenient ones, those that tell them what they want to hear, without limitations, without imposing guilt, with no strings attached.

Oh, you're Muslim, cannot eat pork right (but I can and I know you drink alcohol in the pubs).

Oh, you're Catholic, cannot use condoms right (but I can use them as much as I darn well please and you can either lie that you don't, abstain from sex, or have twenty kids like your grandfather did).

Intercultural and inter-religious studies are a must for every student today, if we are to foster a truly multi-ethnic society in Singapore. There is no doubt that downplaying differences and education-by-segmentation has adversely affected societal perceptions of each race. We need to openly discuss and debate cross-cultural traditions and beliefs. Students of a First-World nation, today, are mature for such a curriculum.

The question now - is the State ready?