Pressure Mounts To Make Buddhism State Religion

[Plus]

Again you see Buddhism as being so weak in it's foundation that it cannot survive without artificial support. If you believe it to be so, maybe you should be looking at a different philosophy that you might have more faith in?

In that regard Buddhism is no better than any other religion, they all dwindle without state support.

It won't die per se, as a philosophy or a "way of life", it will simply stop being practiced.

Why do you understimate the power of society over individual? Vast majoirty of people would happily choose to adapt rather than stick to their prinicples. If there's a huge pressure not to behave like a buddhist, 99% of people would give in.

Was it Chaonah in this thread earlier who talked about state's coersive power?

[lannarebirth]

State religion gets thumbs-down

BangkokPost.com, PRD

The Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) has rejected calls to make Buddhism the state religion, the chairman said on Monday.

Squadron Leader Prasong Soonsiri said that the CDC will not amend its article on religion in the charter it is rushing to prepare for a referendum tentatively scheduled for August.

Sqn-Ldr Prasong said the CDC met on Monday to consider amendments to the draft which would have made Buddhism the state religion for the first time in Thai history. The article is in the charter section on people’s rights, liberties, participation, and decentralisation.

"As for the issue of Buddhism as the state religion," he said, "Buddhism, which is the religion of the majority of Thai people, as well as (all) other religions, must be protected and promoted equally."

Previous Thai constitutions had stressed freedom of religion, and have never given a special place to any single religion. His Majesty the King is considered the protector of all religions, although he must be a Buddhist.

On Monday morning, a group called Representatives of the Buddhist Organisation submitted a petition to CDC Member Phichian Amnatworaprasert, requesting that the CDC designate Buddhism as the national religion.

At the same time, the Council for Buddhist Organisations and a number of monks gathered in front of Parliament House in Bangkok to demand the new constitution recognise Buddhism as the state religion.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/tops...s.php?id=119217

[cdnvic]

Again you see Buddhism as being so weak in it's foundation that it cannot survive without artificial support. If you believe it to be so, maybe you should be looking at a different philosophy that you might have more faith in?

In that regard Buddhism is no better than any other religion, they all dwindle without state support.

It won't die per se, as a philosophy or a "way of life", it will simply stop being practiced.

Why do you understimate the power of society over individual? Vast majoirty of people would happily choose to adapt rather than stick to their prinicples. If there's a huge pressure not to behave like a buddhist, 99% of people would give in.

Was it Chaonah in this thread earlier who talked about state's coersive power?

So why bother? Anything that needs state support to survive can't be applicable to the lives of real people then.

I happen to strongly disagree with this notion that Buddhism needs life support to survive. Maybe you should find something that you have a stronger belief in?

[pkrv]

State religion gets thumbs-down

BangkokPost.com, PRD

The Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) has rejected calls to make Buddhism the state religion, the chairman said on Monday.

Squadron Leader Prasong Soonsiri said that the CDC will not amend its article on religion in the charter it is rushing to prepare for a referendum tentatively scheduled for August.

Sqn-Ldr Prasong said the CDC met on Monday to consider amendments to the draft which would have made Buddhism the state religion for the first time in Thai history. The article is in the charter section on people's rights, liberties, participation, and decentralisation.

"As for the issue of Buddhism as the state religion," he said, "Buddhism, which is the religion of the majority of Thai people, as well as (all) other religions, must be protected and promoted equally."

Previous Thai constitutions had stressed freedom of religion, and have never given a special place to any single religion. His Majesty the King is considered the protector of all religions, although he must be a Buddhist.

On Monday morning, a group called Representatives of the Buddhist Organisation submitted a petition to CDC Member Phichian Amnatworaprasert, requesting that the CDC designate Buddhism as the national religion.

At the same time, the Council for Buddhist Organisations and a number of monks gathered in front of Parliament House in Bangkok to demand the new constitution recognise Buddhism as the state religion.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/tops...s.php?id=119217

Goodness me a voice of reason during such dark times, and indeed well and eloquently spoken. Unfortunately this kind of dialogue only gives absolute rights to those who choose a religions path, sad really.

[cdnvic]

At the same time, the Council for Buddhist Organisations and a number of monks gathered in front of Parliament House in Bangkok to demand the new constitution recognise Buddhism as the state religion.

How very unbuddhist of them.

[rychrde]

Worth looking at the flip side of this argument. How a state can demolish a religion. Just look at Tibet under Chinese rule. Buddhism has been killed there. I have from honest sources that there are no real practices left there, the few surviving monasteries are just shams to keep up the pretence that the Chinese are helping the poor backward tibetans. The living Tibetan Buddhism is now spread around largely the first world.

rych

[Plus]

Anything that needs state support to survive can't be applicable to the lives of real people then.

I happen to strongly disagree with this notion that Buddhism needs life support to survive. Maybe you should find something that you have a stronger belief in?

I know you strongly disagree, I just don't see any justification for it - why do you think that Buddhism will survive where Christianity died - in a secular state? It goes against all precedents. Are you talking out of blind faith only?

There are many areas that need state support to survive. Education, healthcare, public infrastructure etc. etc.

How about his case - the state decides to legalise gambling. Thousands of people protests as it's against buddhist teachings. Nothing can be legally done. Soon enough no one listens to any anti-gambling sermons seriously - it's part of life now, everyone does it, so it must be true.

One could say it already happened, and the process is irreverisble.

[manuchaomk]

In my opinion

The new Thai Constitution must include that Thailand is a Buddhist State!

It is 1'000'000'0000'0000 times important this decision than to legalize gambling for ex.. Why?

It is important to know that Buddhism is an integrated part of Thai culture/ identity.

Doesn't matter what about the Globalisation and the canges will make.

Actually everybody can travel in Thailand (for ex. Entry is forbidden for people come from Israel in some countries..)...most of people don't care if the neighbour is muslim or buddhist...

It means (South side a part) that people tolerate and respect the neighbour without prejudice.

Everyone can believe in someone or something different.

Peacefull.

But the story of Thailand (old Siam,...) is made from Buddhists... .

Anyway Thailand will be a Great Land for ever (hope that thai ladies in future will be freedom at the same time... and without "chador" (I respect everyone, anyway,...))

Sawasdee Krapp, Chok- Dee krapp

Manu

[cdnvic]

Well, regardless, it looks like it's not going to be the state religion, and that's good news to me.

[sabaijai]

Well, regardless, it looks like it's not going to be the state religion, and that's good news to me.

Aye.

As this is now a non-issue, I'm respectfully closing this thread after 250 posts. Nice discussion.

[Jai Dee]

Thread re-opened to post the results of the CDC decision - the committee voted 66 to 19 against the proposal.

Full details in this post in the News Forum.

/Closed.