SINGAPORE — There is an urgent need to establish a common, shared understanding — between religions and between the religious and the non-religious — so that religion in a secular society would not result in conflict, said Archbishop William Goh.

In a lecture at on the second day of the SRP Distinguished Lecture and Symposium today (Jan 20), Archbishop Goh said Singapore exists in a “delicate situation” with brewing religious conflict against the backdrop of the recent Jakarta attacks, and other possible internal divisions. These include the “uneasy tensions” that could arise between the secular state and religion, and clashes arising between the different religions themselves.

In light of such conflicts, religion is now commonly perceived as a cause of “disunity”, when it was thought to bring peace and understanding.

He highlighted several ways to reconcile such tensions, such as through bonding through shared humanity as “brothers and sisters”. Instead of denouncing other religions’ doctrines and practices, he urged people to see that those of various faiths share a common goal in their search for answers, and extolling the goodness found in each religion.

He also spoke of the need for honest dialogue to promote mutual respect and understanding. “Without open dialogue, the consequence is suspicion, ignorance and fear,” he said, calling for more constructive dialogue that could tackle important questions and lead to a more objective understanding of religion.

In doing so, he pointed to the state’s role as an “important moderator” in ensuring different religions did not clash with each other, though he did not discount the importance of religion ensuring that society did not “fall into (moral) decay”.

He said: “Religious leaders need to be responsible in how we deal with others of different faith, as well as with the state… Our role is to help partner the state, promote peace, harmony for the country so that we can be one people and truly Singaporean.”

Speaking to reporters after his lecture, the Archbishop, when asked how religious leaders and institutions can encourage dialogue at the grassroots level, stressed the importance of friendship and social interaction.

“The common space is already there. In the offices, in schools, we have friends from all other religions,” he said. Organised activities may not draw people, but when people are friends, “we begin to cherish each other and appreciate the differences”. “Dialogue must always begin on the level of cultivating trust and friendship,” he said.

As for the threat of Islamophobia growing in Singapore, Archbishop Goh felt schools should provide a good understanding of every religion.

“In every religion we have some who are too radical, it’s a small group... but because of ISIS and so on, (Muslims) tend to get negative publicity...I think we need to really support our Muslim brothers (and) try to underscore the good that they are doing,” he added.

He also noted that Islamophobia could further radicalised those who already hold extremist views. “Because they are rejected, they are isolated, they are marginalised...(that breeds) resentment and hostility,” he said.