Singapore's multi-ethnic nature determines the diversity of its religions. Singapore features a wide variety of religious architecture, including the minarets of Islamic mosques, the spires of Gothic churches, Hindu temples with mysterious statues, and Chinese temples. The major religions in Singapore include Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism.
Buddhism and Taoism
Early Chinese immigrants, like immigrants of other ethnic groups, brought their religious beliefs and customs with them. Chinese people from different ancestral regions built their own temples for devotees to worship. Some of these temples have become national monuments, such as Thian Hock Keng, Shuang Lin Monastery, and Fengshan Temple.
Buddhism has the "Three Jewels"—the Buddha, the Dharma (the teachings of the Buddha), and the Sangha (those who inherit or propagate the teachings)—to guide believers in practicing their rituals. In Singapore, the Buddhism practiced by the Chinese is integrated with Taoism and Confucianism, encompassing beliefs, customs, and institutions.
The vast majority of Buddhists in Singapore belong to the Mahayana school, followed by Theravada, Vajrayana, and other schools. Different schools have closer contact and cooperation through religious, cultural, educational, and social welfare programs jointly organized by the Singapore Buddhist Federation, the Singapore Sangha Organization, and the World Fellowship of Buddhists Singapore Regional Centre.
Hinduism
The Indians who came to Singapore also brought their religion, culture, and art with them. Their early religious activities involved building Hindu temples in various parts of Singapore, most of which are in the South Indian style.
Hindu temples are the focal point for many Indian festivals and celebrations. The lives of Indians are deeply influenced by religion, and different stages of their lives are marked by religious rituals. Most Indian families have an altar or prayer room.
Today, there are about 24 major Hindu temples in Singapore, among which the Sri Mariamman Temple on South Bridge Road and the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on Serangoon Road have been listed as national monuments.
Under the Hindu Endowments Act, the Hindu Endowments Board was established in 1967 and is responsible for the administration and management of Hindu temples such as Sri Mariamman, Sri Srinivasa Perumal, Sri Sivan, and Sri Veeramakaliamman. These temples belong to the Board. The Board also organizes major festival celebrations, such as Deepavali, Thaipusam, and Navaratri.
The Indian community also has the Indian Advisory Board, which provides advice to the government on matters concerning Indian religion and customs, as well as general welfare issues affecting the Indian community.
Christianity
Catholic Churches
The history of the Catholic Church in Singapore dates back to the day Sir Stamford Raffles discovered Singapore in 1819. In 1821, a passing missionary converted 12 Catholics through evangelism. By 1829, the number of Catholics had grown to 200. The Catholic community grew steadily and established several schools. As early as 1832, the first boys' school was opened, which later became the famous St. Joseph's Institution. St. Joseph's Institution was built in 1852 and managed by the De La Salle Brothers. Two years later, the convent opened a primary school for girls on Victoria Street—the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus.
On December 22, 1972, the late Pope Paul VI declared Singapore a separate diocese, no longer under the former Diocese of Malacca-Johor. Under an agreement signed on July 26, 1977, the Bishop of Macau transferred his ecclesiastical jurisdiction in Singapore to the Archbishop of Singapore. This agreement was approved by the Holy See on May 27, 1981. When this decree was promulgated on June 26, 1981, it took effect on July 1, and since then, the Catholic Church in Singapore has been directly under the jurisdiction of the Holy See.
There are 30 Catholic churches in Singapore. The Catholic Church manages 20 primary schools, 17 secondary schools, one pre-university institution, and one junior college.
The Catholic Church in Singapore also operates Mount Alvernia Hospital, St. Joseph's Home, 5 nursing homes, and one children's home.
Christian Churches
Four months after Raffles landed in Singapore, he donated a piece of land to the London Missionary Society. Five months later, the first missionary arrived in Singapore. In the first few decades, several different groups made unique contributions to the development of the Christian church in Singapore; these included the Western merchant community, the Straits Chinese community of Malacca, overseas missionaries, and Christian immigrants from India and China. Seminaries and Bible colleges were subsequently established.
Sikhs
There are 16 registered Sikh religious and community organizations in Singapore, as well as 7 Gurdwaras. The Sikhs established the Sikh Advisory Board to provide advice to the government on matters concerning the Sikh religion and customs, as well as the general welfare of the Sikh community.
Important Sikh festivals mainly commemorate the birthdays of several Sikh Gurus and celebrate the anniversary of the Khalsa.
Other Religions
Singapore promotes religious freedom and tolerance, allowing followers of various religious beliefs to establish themselves here. Judaism has two synagogues in Singapore, and there are a small number of Zoroastrians and Jains, though they do not have temples.
