Religious Switching and Pluralism in Southeast Asia| Essay, Singapore

Adapted from Tham, D. (2023). Singapore tops Southeast Asia in seeing different religions as compatible with society: Survey. Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved from here

Pew Research Centre. (2023). Buddhism, Islam and Religious Pluralism in South and Southeast Asia. Retrieved from here

Chew, H.M. (2021). No religion: Why more in Singapore are turning away from traditional faiths. Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved from here

Questions

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 with them. (20 marks)

Question 1(b)

Thereafter, 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. (40 marks)

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. (40 marks)