“Muscular” versus “Liberal” Secularism and the religious fundamentalist challenge in Singapore

Abstract

This essay examines how the divisive forces of religious fundamentalism have been a

recurring feature of Singapore’s history. It shows why events in 2009 and 2010

appear to suggest that the Singapore State may well be justified in continuing to

consider religious fundamentalism as a potential threat to the social fabric of the

nation. The essay then addresses two contending perspectives in coping with religious

fundamentalism in Singapore, the so-called “Muscular Secularist” and “Liberal

Secularist” views – the former favoured by the State and the latter reflecting the

aspirations of some sections of civil society. The essay discusses the increasing

pressure both from inside and outside Singapore on the State to soften its no-nonsense

Muscular Secularist stance on coping with religious fundamentalism in Singapore and

imbibe elements of the more nuanced Liberal Secularist perspective. Finally, it

explains why Muscular Secularism is likely to remain the State’s preferred philosophy

for managing religious fundamentalism for the foreseeable future.