So, people there can freely practice any religion that they choose.
But, they can never mention it in public.
Sounds to me like there is no freedom of speech there................
But then again isn't Singapore the place where chewing gum is banned ?
There is nothing that says you can't mention it in public... what you cannot do is attempt, in public, to get people to join your church. You are certainly free to do so in a private venue.
There is a great deal of freedom of speech in Singapore, and you are correct... there are some things that are off limits and will get you into trouble. Fomenting religious unrest is one thing... and with the long and storied history of Christians coming to south and east Asia to convert, the topic is still very sensitive. You have seen the tempers flare on this board over a discussion of whether the US is 'Christian' nation... in Singapore and Malaysia, an overwhelmingly Muslim nation, religious speech can incite extremely strong feelings.
Same with race. No way the white supremacist organization that is supporting the killing of the abortion doctor could exist here. Racial 'harmony' exists but there are plenty of simmering tensions under the surface. I'd say that the US, in spite of its problems has done a better job of coming to grips with racial issues than has Singapore. So, racially inflammatory comments will get you into hot water. There were huge race riots here and in Malaysia in 1969 that killed thousands of Chinese. The Chinese are the majority race so great care is taken to be inclusive.
So too, will 'seditious' speech. Singapore is essentially a one party system. It has an elected parliament, a prime minister, and a president appointed by parliament. There are 'opposition' candidates that are appointed, and instead of single member districts, a group, usually comprised of Chinese, Indian, and Malay people (the three primary racial groups here) is elected to office.
If you speak against the government you can and will be sued for libel... and no standing member of parliament has ever lost a libel case. The theory is that if a two party or multi party system were in place, the religious and racial divides would soon fester and render the country paralyzed in government.
So, as an American I have some problems with this, and at the same time, this is a very efficient government. You could only wish that most American governments at all levels functioned like Singapore does. Safe, clean, excellent infrastructure, strong border protection, very pro business policies... there is a lot to be said for the way things work.
So, as long as I don't publicly criticize the government (accuse it of malfeasance), or stir up the race or religion pot, I can say anything I want. IT is true I can't go to a titty bar, and I can't buy a Playboy or Hustler magazine but I can go to anywhere to 200 or more places and get laid with the real thing... compare that to the denial of freedoms to engage in consensual sexual behavior in the US.
Chewing gum is no longer banned, per se... you can bring it in with you but it cannot be sold in stores. Actually, the ban on chewing gum, the prohibition against spitting, and littering were all enacted in in 1967 during an outbreak of tuberculosis... it was an attempt to stop the spread of disease. Frankly, I am OK with this... no damn gum all over the place... and if you travel much anywhere in China, pulling up a great big honker and spitting it on the sidewalk is a national pastime.
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