[RELEASE FOR MEMBERS & PARTNERS] EAS’ Response to Minister K. Shanmugam’s parliamentary speech on the Court of Appeal Ruling on Repeal of Section 377A

EAS’ Response to Minister K. Shanmugam’s parliamentary speech on the Court of Appeal Ruling on Repeal of Section 377A

Singapore, 7 March 2022 – The Evangelical Alliance of Singapore (EAS), representing our members consisting of evangelical churches, denominations, Christian organisations, movements and individuals in Singapore would like to respond to Minister K. Shanmugam’s parliamentary address regarding the recent Court of Appeal judgement on the constitutional challenge to Section 377A (s377A) of the Penal Code.

We are in full alignment with the Government’s stand and the Court of Appeal ruling that s377A stays on the book but will not be proactively enforced. Knowing the highly divisive issue this could be, we think the Apex decision is a most fitting and sensible approach for Singapore, as Mr Shanmugam reiterates, as “an inclusive society, where mutual respect and tolerance for different views and practices are paramount.”

EAS faithfully adheres to our evangelical subscription to marriage and sexuality, that God creates and builds the institution of marriage between a man and a woman, sacred and perpetual. Nevertheless, we acknowledge there are differing viewpoints on this matter within and outside the church. Therefore, we endorse the Government’s willingness to “respect the different viewpoints, consider them carefully, talk to the different groups.”

As we consider and respect the differing viewpoints in society, we agree that the best approach is to invite all relevant stakeholders among different groups for open dialogues and consultation to ensure that all parties are heard and their interests addressed. Stakeholders who harbour further disagreements could avoid taking a confrontational approach, and instead adopt a more tangible bridge-building stance by focusing our efforts and attention on matters which we could all agree.

We are now facing an increasingly uncertain world – we are still battling with COVID-19; and there are rising global conflicts which can bring forth further social and economic woes. In this context, EAS is committed to being a stabilising and contributing member of society, and looks forward to conversing with different stakeholders that will help build greater resilience in the Singapore society in a world that is destabilising.

EAS Response to Minister K. Shanmugam’s Speech on March 3, 2022

About EAS

The Evangelical Alliance of Singapore (EAS) is a network of evangelical churches, denominations, Christian organisations, movements and individuals in Singapore. EAS was formed in May 1980 (as the Evangelical Fellowship of Singapore) with an emphasis on concerted prayer, co-operative evangelism and coordinated mission programme in conjunction with local churches and Christian organisations. Since its formation, EAS has organised several national prayer and evangelism projects such as the Global Day of Prayer, Jubilee Day of Prayer, GoForth Conference, and the recent Celebration of Hope.

EAS is a member of Asia Evangelical Alliance (AEA) and World Evangelical Alliance (WEA). Since its formation in 1846, WEA has served more than 600 million evangelicals belonging to churches that are part of 143 national Evangelical Alliances in 9 regions.

Please contact info@evangelical.sg for more information.