Why do some Buddhists avoid certain foods? What does the term “jihad” really mean? Can Christians do yoga?

These were some questions raised in a Channel NewsAsia (CNA) documentary, “Regardless of Religion”, made in collaboration with OnePeople.sg. It was a follow-up to a CNA documentary on race, with both presented by OnePeople.sg chairman Janil Puthucheary.

Singapore is the world’s most religiously diverse nation, according to the Pew Research Center. But many Singaporeans are still uncomfortable talking about religion. Many are afraid to speak about other religions for fear of causing offence. As the documentary reveals through several social experiments, people also tend to have different ideas about what is offensive to other communities.

But in the wake of rising extremism globally, it has become crucial to deepen the understanding between religions. And one way to get different perspectives is through dialogue.

“If there is a reluctance to even talk about religion, there’s probably general misinformation [happening],” says Senior Assistant Director (Community Relations) Norhazlina Yusop at the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY).

Building bridges

In March 2017, the MCCY launched BRIDGE, a series of community-driven initiatives to provide more opportunities for discussing sensitive issues of race and religion, and deepen shared undertanding among Singaporeans.

BRIDGE, or Broadening Religious and Racial Interaction through Dialogue and General Education, is supported through the MCCY Harmony Fund. More than $3 million has been set aside over three years, to support ground-up projects that deepen the understanding of sensitive issues of race and religion through dialogue. Since the launch in 2017, more than 5,000 participants — from religious and community leaders to youths and working professionals — have participated in BRIDGE activities.

The intent is for people to go beyond the surface of religious differences. For example, participants might learn that there are diverse experiences, practices and interpretations even among practitioners of the same faith, says Ms Norhazlina.

BRIDGE also aims to produce content and share knowledge of religious practices and beliefs. In interfaith dialogues, sharing sessions may begin with an activity, such as a play, to highlight certain practices and misperceptions of the religion in focus.

Participants then break up into smaller discussion groups. Event organisers are free to design the scope of these conversations, without defining any one set way of practising or interpreting religion.

Along the way, participants learn to agree and disagree respectfully. Before any sensitive topics and questions are broached, facilitators may set expectations for civil dialogue and non-judgement, which the participants agree to.

Besides dialogues, other formats for pondering the issues of religion (and race) have emerged. The play Without Reason during the M1 Peer Pleasure Youth Theatre Festival featured the trials of an inter-racial, inter-religious young couple. As part of BRIDGE, a Music and Faith dialogue was organised in conjunction with the Esplanade’s Tapestry of Sacred Music festival.

Even as laws to safeguard religious harmony will be toughened, it is hoped that by creating greater space for discussing religion, one will create a more resilient Singapore – should any terrorist attack or act of discrimination occur here.

Watch the “Regardless of Religion” documentary on Channel NewsAsia. To learn more about different religions, visit the Harmony in Diversity SG Gallery.