Creative Religious Governance of the Singaporean State
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Abstract
Religious diversity poses a challenge to state administration, yet Singapore has managed to approach religion in a creative manner. This article seeks to explain the state’s practices in creatively governing religion, through legislation and the establishment of central agencies that link religious organizations with the state. While some laws emphasize strict control, they are not applied indiscriminately. Instead, the state focuses on raising awareness of the dangers of religious conflict. The approach to religion is marked by a polite understanding of the diversity within each faith and promotes religious principles with the primary objective of fostering national unity. This is considered a model of creative religious governance by the Singaporean state.
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