Understanding Religion and Religious Switching in Society | Essay, Singapore

Religious Switching:

A 2023 Pew Research Study on Buddhism, Islam, and Religious Pluralism in South and Southeast Asia found that a trend of ‘religious switching’ was prominent in Singapore – about 35% of Singaporean respondents highlighted that they had switched from religions they were born into or raised, while nearly all adults surveyed in other countries still identified with religions they were born into or raised (childhood religion). Of these, some have left behind a childhood religion to become religiously unaffiliated or have converted to other religions such as Christianity or Buddhism. Interestingly, the Singapore Census 2020 revealed that about 20% of Singaporeans had no religious affiliation, making this the second-largest group, after the Buddhists who form about 30% of Singapore’s population.

Adapted from Tham, D. (2023). Singapore tops Southeast Asia in seeing different religions as compatible with society: Survey. Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved from https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/religion-faith-national-culture-values-identity-pew-research-3762426

Pew Research Centre. (2023). Buddhism, Islam and Religious Pluralism in South and Southeast Asia. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2023/09/12/buddhism-islam-and-religious-pluralism-in-south-and-southeast-asia/#sidebar-singapore-s-changing-religious-identity

Chew, H.M. (2021). No religion: Why more in Singapore are turning away from traditional faiths. Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved from https://lkyspp.nus.edu.sg/docs/default-source/ips/cna_no-religion-whymore-in-singapore-are-turning-away-from-traditional-faiths_290621.pdf?sfvrsn=88dc2a0a_2

Question 1(a)

Your new friend is a non-believer in religion. They are curious about why religion is significant to so many people and in so many societies. Discuss the concept of religion to them.

Question 1(b)

Identify FOUR different arguments to demonstrate the significance of religion in society and to individuals. Refer to the various theories discussed in Study Unit 1 to substantiate your arguments.

Question 2(b)

Your friend is also curious why people may engage in religious switching (i.e. conversion to another religion and/or becoming religiously unaffiliated). Develop TWO arguments to show why people may engage in religious switching. Ensure that your arguments are substantiated with theories and/or concepts and examples where relevant.

References:

• Tham, D. (2023). Singapore tops Southeast Asia in seeing different religions as compatible with society: Survey. Channel NewsAsia.
• Pew Research Centre. (2023). Buddhism, Islam, and Religious Pluralism in South and Southeast Asia.
• Chew, H.M. (2021). No religion: Why more in Singapore are turning away from traditional faiths. Channel NewsAsia.