“Singaporeans must show a generosity of spirit to one another, including new arrivals.”
On the theme of “Heart”, PM Lee urged Singaporeans to treat each other better, highlighting the need for more social enterprises and day-to-day interaction before the country loses its “kampong spirit”.
Raising examples of an increasing number of neighbours quarrelling over common spaces, parking lots – or worse, rallying together to oppose nursing homes and studio apartments in their district, PM Lee said that Singaporeans seemed to be getting “less patient, less tolerant, less willing to compromise in order to get along”.
Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
Diversity
Unlike more homogeneous Japan, long held up as a gracious society, Singapore is more diverse. Norms and expectations vary. This will be a challenge as Singapore becomes more cosmopolitan.
Urban living
Unlike in the kampung, urban living is a lot less personal. People do not know their neighbours well. Because of the country's urban density, people feel the need to claim their own space.
The 'kiasu', me-first mentality
Singaporeans tend to be calculating, driven by tangible rewards rather than intrinsic ones.
'We use our grades, jobs and salaries to affirm who we are in the world, except for inner qualities like compassion. We're so focused on pushing forward and always being ahead, and one way of doing that is to ensure that someone else is behind or below us.'
Changing technology
New technologies may mean new forms of ungraciousness. People need to acquire cellphone courtesy and cyber-courtesy.
I remember having a neighbour who used to smoke along the common corridor. His action irriated my family as his cigarette smoke expose us to second-hand smoke and not to mention his LITTERing too. I choose not to confront him but approach this issue through prayer and wisdom. (I nearly scolded him...)
I came across the "I Quit" smoking campaign and decided to drop a phampet at his door. After several weeks later, I spotted him holding a smokeless nicotine cigarette (I am thinking is he trying to QUIT?) I regretted not being more friendly (Hi & Bye type of Neighbour), he has since shift out but I am really glad and thank God for his action (change) and solving my problem.
http://www.facebook.com/IQUITClub
Philipians 2:4, 'Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.'
Our love for Christ is only as real as our love for our neighbor.
Leviticus 19:18, 'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself.'
The "Heart" which our PM compelled the citizens to have, should first come from the government. His father asked if a Malay would give away his meal to another race" Well I ask father and son whether they will give away some of their millions to the poor (on last count if should be about 20%) of the working population or "working poor" as they have been labelled". I hate such "highfalutin" ideas coming from people born with a freaking diamond spoon and not having to pick up cardboard boxes at age 60.
ReplyDeleteIt is easy for him to say, what kind of neighbours he is having? Landed property with wonderful neighbours. Love them, love their curry, their smell, their noisiness, their placing personal stuff over the common areas, their self-fishness acts. Let's all be Saints Hallelujah Amen!
ReplyDeleteSo what we have here is a situation where inconsideration and intolerance rule in equal measure. Times have certainly changed.
ReplyDeleteTo anon at 2.31pm. From experience, I have found the rich are far more intolerant than the poor, especially when dealing with those who are not rich.