Pew Research Study Shows Worrying State of Theology among Singaporean Christians

In this article, my objective is to directly present the latest survey findings from Pew Research. I will share my thoughts in another article if I feel it is appropriate.

Sample design

“Random digit dial (RDD) probability sample of mobile phone users. Interviews are conducted with the person who answered the phone, if age 18 or older and either a citizen or permanent resident. Up to seven phone calls are made to complete the interview with the selected respondent.”

“In Singapore, only permanent residents and citizens were selected to take the survey to align with national census data for weighting.”

“In Singapore and Malaysia, samples were weighted using iterative proportional fitting (raking) that matches age, gender, education and regional population distributions in the sample to parameters from the latest census data available for each country.”

Data collection method: computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI)

Data collection dates: 1 June 2022 to 9 August 2022

Top 15 Findings

• 50% of Christians in Singapore think that their religion is the only true religion, while 49% think that many religions can be true. (Pg 27)
• 39% of Christians think that it is NOT acceptable for a person to persuade others to join his or her religion. (Pg 68)
• 56% of Christians in Singapore think it is acceptable for a person to leave Christianity for another religion. (Pg 69)
• 54% of Christians in Singapore think that a person can be truly Christian if they NEVER go to church. (Pg 11)
• 41% of Christians in Singapore do NOT pray daily. (Pg 62)
• 38% of Christians in Singapore think that a person can be truly Christian if they do NOT pray. (Pg 12)
• 65% of Christians in Singapore think that a person CANNOT know the afterlife destination or the destination of rebirth for a deceased family member. (Pg 46)
• 46% of Christians in Singapore think that Karma exists. (Pg 55)
• 32% of Christians in Singapore think that a person can be truly Christian if they make offerings to spirits of deceased relatives. (Pg 15)
• 43% of Christians in Singapore think that a person can feel the presence of a deceased family member. (Pg 47)
• 26% of Christians in Singapore think that rebirth exists. (Pg 49)
• 24% of Christians in Singapore think that demons or evil deities do NOT exist. (Pg 57)
• 14% of Christians in Singapore think that hell does NOT exist. (Pg 53)
• 11% of Christians in Singapore think that Judgement Day does NOT exist. (Pg 54)
• 12% of Christians in Singapore think that a person can be truly Christian if they do NOT believe in God. (Pg 10)

Other Interesting Findings

• 12% of Christians in Singapore currently pray or offer respects to Buddha. (Pg 30)
• 12% of Christians in Singapore currently pray or offer respects to protector spirits / guardian deities of the area where they live. (Pg 33)
• 13% of Christians in Singapore currently pray or offer respects to Guanyin or the Guanyin Bodhisattva. (Pg 35)
• 11% of Christians in Singapore currently pray or offer respects to Allah. (Pg 36)
• 15% of Christians in Singapore burn incense. (Pg 65)
• 17% of Christians in Singapore think that there are NO unseen beings in the world like deities or spirits. (Pg 25)
• 12% of Christians in Singapore think that angels or helpful deities do NOT exist. (Pg 56)
• 34% of Christians in Singapore think that people should be allowed to speak their opinions publicly even if they upset other people. The other 64% of Christians in Singapore think that harmony with others is more important than the right to speak one’s opinion. (Pg 2)
• 40% of Christians in Singapore think that religious leaders should NOT vote in political elections. (Pg 95)
• 65% of Christians in Singapore think that religious leaders should NOT be politicians. (Pg 93)
• 29% of Christians in Singapore favour (includes strongly favour and somewhat favour) allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally. (Pg 70)

Short Reflection

At the time of publishing (5.30am), I am still sleepless after having read this worrying survey findings. It is possible that the sampling design is flawed, and the Singapore Church is actually biblically literate. But I am inclined to trust Pew Research as they have many years of experience and a good reputation.

Closing Meditation

About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

Hebrews 5:11-6:2 (ESV)

Amen, and Amen!

~ Samuel YC Tan