I refer to the letter, “Important to respect variety in viewpoints and perceptions” (April 28).
The writer is correct to say that the issues relating to IKEA’s support for Mr Lawrence Khong’s magic show are “complicated”, which can be seen in the diverse views the different groups have expressed.
In our fragile world, we must hear one another out and accept that there are divergent groups in society. Our priority must be to navigate potentially explosive issues with care and reasonable tolerance.
Singapore’s future will always be a contested one, with interest groups pressing their views and claims.
We need not be political philosophers to know that when any group, whatever its shade and colour, pushes too hard, it would invite responses if not a backlash from affected groups or those who think the campaign went too far.
In the case of IKEA, the pressure put on the company by some people led inevitably to responses from those who read that as uncalled for.
Wisely, the company stuck to its plan instead of withdrawing support for the show, which has nothing to do with sex and sexuality.
One may be unhappy with Mr Khong’s view or the way he might articulate it, but his is not at odds with the mainstream view about what constitutes a loving relationship, family and marriage.
Not every attempt at redefining a loving relationship, family and marriage coming from the West must be followed by the rest of the world.
