Objectives
We campaign against the growing influence of religion on the government and the increasing desire of the current government to involve religious bodies and individuals in the decision makings of the state.
The separation of religion and state is therefore necessary. The present-day administration and party democracy are divisive in nature. To add religious labels to the government and political parties would make society even more divided and suspicious, and this could spell disaster for the nation if such situation were to continue.
The separation of religion and state is therefore necessary. The present-day administration and party democracy are divisive in nature. To add religious labels to the government and political parties would make society even more divided and suspicious, and this could spell disaster for the nation if such situation were to continue.
Everyone should be allowed to speak freely, whatever their beliefs as only in the public arena can contentious ideas be debated and, if necessary, exposed and countered.
Our nation's Federal Constitution ensures everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion as well as assembling and association; this includes the freedom to change one's religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest religion or belief.
However, this is a qualified right, which means that an interference with the right can be justified in certain circumstances. We believe that the right to manifest religion or belief does not permit interference with the fundamental rights of others. The right of all members of society to live free from discrimination and to have equal access to employment, to education and services always comes first.
We seek to ensure that Human Rights do not lose out to religious demands, and challenge the exemptions religious groups are granted, or demand, from laws others must follow.
Public services have traditionally been provided by secular local authorities and other public bodies that served everyone. These public bodies are subject to equality laws and may not discriminate against the people they serve or the people they employ. Despite claims that religion will not impinge on welfare or employment, religiously-backed organisations have already shown that they will demand exemptions from discrimination laws.
The second concern is for people who may not be hired or promoted or may be otherwise discriminated against if they are of the 'wrong' religion, not 'religious enough' or not religious at all, or if their lifestyle doesn't fit the organisations' ethos (gay, divorced, single parents, for example).
Education is where a lack of secularism impinges most on the lives of Malaysian citizens.
Schools with a religious character, or 'faith schools' as they are commonly known, account for around two thirds of our publicly funded schools. This seriously limits choice for parents who do not want a religious education for their children, or do not share the faith of the local school.
The existing federal and state governments have paved the way for ever greater religious involvement in education, often to the detriment of secular-based national schools.
We oppose publicly funded faith schools and campaign for an end to religious discrimination in school admissions. We also campaign for an end to compulsory worship in schools and for reform of religious education.
A secular approach to education would see 'faith schools' phased out and ensure that publicly funded schools are equally welcoming to all children, regardless of their religious, race and philosophical backgrounds.
