Source:
newnation
Time for S’pore to recognise Lee Kuan Yew as a religion
Posted on 02 April 2015
There is no lack of the pious in Singapore.
Dear New Nation,
As part of the Silent Majority, I do not have many strong views in my lifetime.
I never write to the press to express a view and I don’t wear my heart on my sleeve on Facebook or talk shop with my friends about politics.
However, when I do express my thoughts, or rather my thought — since thinking about things in-depth doesn’t come quite as naturally as the Noisy Minority and I will be left with just one thought, if I’m lucky — you can be sure my idea will be something of utmost importance that will immediately grab everyone’s attention as if this idea of mine is the first thought that came into my head and I suddenly felt compelled to put it out there in writing.
Hence, I am compelled to write that I am putting forth the proposal of formally recognising Lee Kuan Yew as a religion in Singapore.
Sure, any new religion would face opposition during the infancy of its creation. This is similar to the experiences of many religions stemming from the Levant a few thousand years ago.
And yes, proposing such an idea might sound startling and utterly ill-befitting of my Silent Majority image, but you need to hear me out.
Turning Lee Kuan Yew into a religion has its benefits.
Firstly, it will prevent naysayers from boo-booing his legacy. This is so as anyone caught saying negative things about him will be offending religious feelings and can be prosecuted more easily.
Secondly, we have read and watched the many superhuman abilities attributed to him in the mainstream press the past week or so and we all can’t help but be impressed and in awe of him.
How could any mere mortal have achieved so much in so little time? Lee Kuan Yew’s achievements were nothing short of biblical in consequence and the parallels between Singapore and Israel are glaring if we really think about it.
Thirdly, there is clearly no shortage of the pious judging by the throngs of believers who paid their last respects to Lee Kuan Yew when he was lying in state at the Parliament House, but we are clearly short of gods. Why not make Lee Kuan Yew one then?
Furthermore, he has proven to be a unifying figure who is credited with giving Singaporeans what they need.
Last but not least, Singaporeans can better ritualise their praise and worship of Lee Kuan Yew in the long run.
Right now, fervent tributes are haphazard and sporadic. By ritualising the praise and worship, it can be made habitual.
And all he needs now is to be accorded religious status.
I am primarily aghast that my fellow Singaporeans are unable to bring the events that have happened the past week or so since Lee Kuan Yew’s passing to their logical conclusion.
If this proposal is not considered, I will have no choice but to send this letter to The Straits Times instead, who would have no qualms publishing anything.
Yours sincerely,
Silent Majority
End of Article
From Humanist Society of Singapore website. humanist.org.sg
