http://www.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20090608-146787.html
Mon, Jun 08, 2009
my paper
Campus evangelism irks students
by Daryll Nanayakara
SOME students at Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) are seeing red over how a number of their schoolmates are trying to evangelise by approaching them in pairs on their campus in Clementi Road.
Not only did they feel it was "invasive", but some also felt it bordered on harassment.
It prompted former student Damien Raj to write to my paper, to ask whether such activities should be allowed in tertiary institutions here.
'The polytechnics are supposed to be secular organisations, so why is NP allowing these religious groups to promote their faiths on campus?' said Mr Raj, 20, who had just graduated from the polytechnic.
When contacted, a spokesman for NP said that "religious groups are advised to respect individual beliefs and be mindful of others' sensitivities".
She added that anyone found to be "preaching to fellow students will be counselled accordingly".
Three other polytechnics here - Republic, Singapore and Temasek - said they do not condone evangelism on their campuses.
Both Temasek and Republic polytechnics added that they do not recognise religious groups as co-curricular activities (CCAs), to avoid compromising "the secular nature" of the institutions.
Nanyang Polytechnic could not be reached for comment despite repeated calls. Mr Raj, who is awaiting enlistment, said he was approached more than four times during his three-year course, and added that "students and alumni" were involved in the evangelistic efforts.
Another student, Miss Gloria Chen, 19, said she had been approached earlier this year by two students who kept promoting their religion despite her disinterest.
She said: "I told them I was not interested, but they kept telling me about their religion and how it would be good for me.
"I don't think it's okay for anyone to force their beliefs on others. Religion should come to a person naturally, at one's own time and pace."
NP has more than three religious groups offering CCAs.
Mr Raj said the evangelistic activities had been happening on campus since as long ago as 2006, when he entered the polytechnic. Earlier this year, several students, working in pairs, were spotted making their rounds to evangelise to fellow students, shortly after their religious study sessions at about 8am, or before leaving for home at about 8pm.
Just last week, a lecturer from the polytechnic, who declined to be named, said she was approached.
"They came to me trying to talk about religion but left when I identified myself as a lecturer," she said.
[email protected]
Mon, Jun 08, 2009
my paper
Campus evangelism irks students
by Daryll Nanayakara
SOME students at Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) are seeing red over how a number of their schoolmates are trying to evangelise by approaching them in pairs on their campus in Clementi Road.
Not only did they feel it was "invasive", but some also felt it bordered on harassment.
It prompted former student Damien Raj to write to my paper, to ask whether such activities should be allowed in tertiary institutions here.
'The polytechnics are supposed to be secular organisations, so why is NP allowing these religious groups to promote their faiths on campus?' said Mr Raj, 20, who had just graduated from the polytechnic.
When contacted, a spokesman for NP said that "religious groups are advised to respect individual beliefs and be mindful of others' sensitivities".
She added that anyone found to be "preaching to fellow students will be counselled accordingly".
Three other polytechnics here - Republic, Singapore and Temasek - said they do not condone evangelism on their campuses.
Both Temasek and Republic polytechnics added that they do not recognise religious groups as co-curricular activities (CCAs), to avoid compromising "the secular nature" of the institutions.
Nanyang Polytechnic could not be reached for comment despite repeated calls. Mr Raj, who is awaiting enlistment, said he was approached more than four times during his three-year course, and added that "students and alumni" were involved in the evangelistic efforts.
Another student, Miss Gloria Chen, 19, said she had been approached earlier this year by two students who kept promoting their religion despite her disinterest.
She said: "I told them I was not interested, but they kept telling me about their religion and how it would be good for me.
"I don't think it's okay for anyone to force their beliefs on others. Religion should come to a person naturally, at one's own time and pace."
NP has more than three religious groups offering CCAs.
Mr Raj said the evangelistic activities had been happening on campus since as long ago as 2006, when he entered the polytechnic. Earlier this year, several students, working in pairs, were spotted making their rounds to evangelise to fellow students, shortly after their religious study sessions at about 8am, or before leaving for home at about 8pm.
Just last week, a lecturer from the polytechnic, who declined to be named, said she was approached.
"They came to me trying to talk about religion but left when I identified myself as a lecturer," she said.
[email protected]
