In a recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center between June and September 2022, spanning six countries in Southeast Asia, the importance of religion in shaping national identity has come to the forefront. The survey, which interviewed 13,122 adults across Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore, offers valuable insights into the interplay between religion and national identity in the region.
Buddhism, a predominant faith in Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Cambodia, emerges as a cornerstone of national identity in these nations. Remarkably, over 90% of Buddhists in these countries expressed that being Buddhist is vital to being a true part of their respective nations. In Cambodia, an astounding 97% of Buddhists share this sentiment, followed closely by 95% in Sri Lanka and 91% in Thailand.
Similarly, in Muslim-majority nations Malaysia and Indonesia, the survey reveals that the importance of being Muslim to one's national identity is equally high, with nearly all Muslims asserting this connection. Notably, 75% of Malaysians and 77% of Indonesians consider Islam not only a religion but also an 'ethnicity' or a 'culture' that one is born into or must follow as a family tradition.
Religious diversity appears to be celebrated in Malaysia, Singapore, and Sri Lanka, where the majority of respondents believe that a variety of backgrounds enriches their countries. Only a small minority (6% or fewer) view it negatively. Furthermore, there is a noteworthy acceptance of neighbors from different religious backgrounds across all surveyed nations, reflecting a degree of religious tolerance.
However, alongside this acceptance, the survey reveals a strong sense of cultural superiority prevailing in these countries. Clear majorities across the board believe in the superiority of their own cultures. For instance, 93% of Cambodians, 92% of Sri Lankans, 91% of Malaysians, 89% of Indonesians, 76% of Thais, and 61% of Singaporeans expressed this belief. Intriguingly, those who consider religion very important in their lives are more likely to endorse the idea of cultural superiority.
The influence of religion on national laws also emerges as a significant theme in the survey. In the Buddhist-majority nations surveyed, a majority of Buddhists believe that their laws should be grounded in religious teachings. A remarkable 96% of Cambodian Buddhists support basing Cambodian law on Buddhist dharma, while 86% of Sri Lankan Buddhists share this belief. In Thailand, 56% of Buddhists favor national laws rooted in Buddhist dharma.
Conversely, in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, where Buddhists are not in the majority, support for laws based on Buddhist teachings is notably lower, with 43% of Malaysian Buddhists and 39% of Singaporean Buddhists in favor.
In the Muslim-majority nations of Malaysia and Indonesia, the survey indicates significant support for the imposition of Sharia law, with 86% in Malaysia and 64% in Indonesia endorsing its establishment. In summary, the Pew survey underscores the profound influence of religion on national identity and the role it plays in shaping attitudes toward cultural superiority and legal frameworks across Southeast Asia.
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