Photo: A Catholic Sister reading the Declaration of Religious Harmony:
“We, the people in Singapore, declare that religious harmony is vital for peace, progress and prosperity in our multi-racial and multi-religious Nation. We resolve to strengthen religious harmony through mutual tolerance, confidence, respect, and understanding. We shall always
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- Recognise the secular nature of our State,
- Promote cohesion within our society,
- Respect each other’s freedom of religion,
- Grow our common space while respecting our diversity,
- Foster inter-religious communications,
and thereby ensure that religion will not be abused to create conflict and disharmony in Singapore.”
I was attending the 60th anniversary celebration of the Inter-Religious Organisation this evening. It was a small but meaningful event. Perhaps aptly, IRO’s HQ (an office at 43, Geylang Lorong 17) is sponsored by Singapore Buddhist Lodge, which kind of reflects the Buddha’s spirit of welcoming inter-religious dialogue. Before we speak of religious differences, it’s crucial to speak of humane similarities – of how we all appreciate and need compassion from and for one another. Before we are religionists, we are all humanists. In fact, good religionists are good humanists.
Following an award ceremony and a panel discussion, there was a vegetarian buffet dinner. It’s nice I think, how IRO dinners are always vegetarian by default – as it is the only diet universally acceptable for all religions – even if some religions don’t really promote the vegetarian cause. (Jains are usually vegetarian while many Buddhists and Hindus are.) As there was quite a queue and since I ate before coming, I skipped it.
The phrase ‘the safest supper’ came to mind. It is the safest because it’s ‘safe’ for vegetarians. It is the safest too because animals are save(d). It is the safest for the planet too, as more than 18% of greenhouse gases come from supporting meat-eating. It doesn’t take any religious reasons to go vege as there are already enough secular humanist reasons to do so. The other reason I skipped this safest supper was to give the many eager diners a chance to savour delicious vegetarian food. Hopefully, this helps somewhat for promoting inter-species harmony!
I find it so strange that this mutual respect for other diners does not extend beyond the bounds of these type of events . . . if it’s recognised that it’s required on this occasion . . . then why not always and everywhere ?
Good question… that every meat-eater should contemplate. My guess is that most are too attached to the taste of meat to consider ALWAYS eating the kinder diet? At least, occasions such as the above do provide chances for them to rethink their diet? I hope so. 8/