There is a lesson in Mother Teresa’s view on death rites

There is a lesson in Mother Teresa’s view on death rites

It is a lack of empathy and not “Religion getting in the way of filial piety” (March 22).

FROM HO SAN CHEOW –

MARCH 24

It is a lack of empathy and not “Religion getting in the way of filial piety” (March 22).

Mother Teresa was a Catholic, yet she granted the dying people under her care the appropriate ritual for their religion.

Only Catholics were offered the Last Rites.

As she said: “A beautiful death is for people who lived like animals to die like angels — loved and wanted.”

 

Beliefs about afterlife a matter of conscience

In “Religion getting in the way of filial piety” (March 22), the writer expressed disappointment at the offspring of her husband’s grandmother, who have adopted other religions and refused to participate in the Taoist funeral ceremonies.

FROM DARIUS LEE –

MARCH 24

In “Religion getting in the way of filial piety” (March 22), the writer expressed disappointment at the offspring of her husband’s grandmother, who have adopted other religions and refused to participate in the Taoist funeral ceremonies.

While I agree on the importance of religious tolerance as society progresses, more clarity is needed.

Filial piety is an important value for everyone, religious or non-religious. Children have a duty to reciprocate their parents’ love by respecting and providing for them.

In a multi-religious society such as Singapore, though, beliefs about the afterlife are diverse and it is a matter of individual conscience.

The Constitution provides that no person shall be required to take part in any ceremony of a religion other than his own. This is to protect one’s right to choose one’s own religion.

Singapore’s highest court explained in 1999: “For example, a Muslim cannot be ‘required to take part in’ a Christian ceremony such as the Holy Communion.”

To progress together as a society, we should continue to emphasise values common to all faiths, such as filial piety, while respecting the right of others to their beliefs, including their right to hold or not hold certain beliefs about the afterlife.

 

Religion getting in the way of filial piety

My husband’s grandmother died recently at the age of 91. The last couple of years were difficult as she was bedridden and fading day by day.

FROM EVELYN TAN –

MARCH 22

My husband’s grandmother died recently at the age of 91. The last couple of years were difficult as she was bedridden and fading day by day.

Certainly, she lived a fruitful life, with five children, multiple grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

According to her wishes, the funeral arrangements followed Taoist tradition. This involved elaborate prayers, processions and folding thousands of paper ingots to send her on a comfortable journey to the afterlife. With that many offspring, one would have expected all hands on deck.

What materialised seemed to be a reflection of changing times and narrow beliefs. Several of her offspring have adopted other religions and refused to participate in any of the Taoist ceremonies, including the folding of paper ingots.

I find this a strange phenomenon. Surely, what matters must be the wishes of the deceased, rather than the beliefs of the living?

As more Singaporeans become well-travelled, no one has qualms about visiting religious landmarks, such as the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican and the Tiger’s Nest monastery in Bhutan. In fact, many plan to visit these landmarks.

As we progress in this society, we must remain tolerant of all beliefs.

Using religion as an excuse to distance oneself from religious ceremonies for a loved one seems to be a practice of double standards and the start of an intolerant approach.