In Theory: Monks press for a national religion in Thailand
Buddhists sit beside candles during a ceremony at the Dhammakaya Temple in Bangkok on Feb. 22, 2016 on the occasion of Makha Bucha day.
In Thailand, some Buddhist monks and laymen want to formally establish Buddhism as the country’s national religion in its next constitution. But one prominent Buddhist scholar is warning against such a decree, saying that it would do more harm than good, Khaosod English reports.
Sulak Sivaraksa called for those promoting the cause to consider their fellow Thais of other faiths.
“It’s most inappropriate and will do more harm than good. Don’t we recognize the value of Muslims?” Sivaraksa said. “It’s because this country has taught people to be nationalistic, so they think we must have a national religion too.”
Q: What do you think of the situation? What do you think of a country having a national religion?
Mixing church and state, as we call it here in America, is never a wise idea. I am speaking as a humanist as well as a secular Buddhist who admires the Buddhist way of being in the world and would love government to adopt the attitude of loving kindness that Buddhism teaches. However, that is quite another thing from officially endorsing one religion over another, pitting people of different faiths and cultures against each other and essentially compelling a proclamation of belief.
When government sponsors any religion at all, it harms everyone, including and especially the religious. It disenfranchises those who believe and associate otherwise as well as those who disbelieve. Certain people will falsely profess faith in order to gain power and position, which dilutes sincere religious association. One of the most problematic issues in America today is the call for declaring the U.S. a Christian nation. It is completely un-American and would be terribly detrimental. Even in a country like Israel, which leads the world with many progressive policies, the fact that they have a state religion retards their progress and potential enormously.
In Thailand, it seems likely the movement is born more of nationalism. Knowing something of Buddhist thought, I would imagine it’s against creating a state religion. If true Buddhist scholars are consulted, the call for establishing any national religion will reasonably and rightfully dissipate.
Joshua Lewis Berg
Humanist Celebrant
Glendale
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The prominent Buddhist scholar is right: having a so-called national religion would do more harm than good. It is amazing how many people don’t learn from the lessons of history. One reason we have freedom of religion in America is that our founders had learned from the religious wars of Europe that recommending or espousing one religion over another inevitably leads to conflict.
Some in this country have tried to argue that we were founded as a Christian nation, but I disagree. Certainly we have Judeo-Christian values, but have you looked at the big buildings in our nation’s capital? They look more Greco-Roman than Judeo-Christian! Seriously, we are free here to worship (or NOT!) as we choose. Who cares in America what religion you are? (I am of course excluding extremists of any stripe, including Christian extremists; those wackos are suspicious if you don’t believe as they do.)
So without trying to seem superior to our Thai brothers and sisters, I would urge the government there to try to come up with something that our Founding Fathers did in the 18th century: freedom of religion and tolerance for those who may not believe as you do.
The Rev. Skip Lindeman
La Cañada Congregational Church
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Considering the current state of Thailand’s religiously diverse society, I believe making Buddhism the national religion would do more to divide their country than it would to strengthen it.
I suppose the practical consequences of having a national religion vary according to the desires of each country that chooses one. I wonder, would all citizens be considered members of that faith by default? Would the state financially support the chosen religion? Would the beliefs of that religion become the actual laws of the land? Would other religions be granted freedom to practice and freely preach their beliefs?
God established a theocracy when he formed the nation of Israel after the Exodus. Israel had a national religion and her national laws were given by the revelation of God, straight out of the Torah. Non-Jews were welcomed to join the nation as proselytes, but they were required to conform to the national religion. I believe that this theocracy was good because our good God established it. But I don’t read anywhere in Scripture that God requires other nations to establish his worship as a national religion. Certainly there is a promise that: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 33:12). Also, every nation will give account to God for their governance because “there is no authority except from God, and those [governing authorities] which exist are established by God.” (Romans 13:1). Every nation is accountable to God to praise its citizens who do good and “bring wrath on the one who practices evil” (Romans 13:3-4).
My personal belief is that democracy is the best option in a fallen world where men are given rule over others. But ultimately the best government over man will be to have an absolutely wise, loving and universally sovereign king whose reign will never end. The only person qualified for that position is Jesus Christ, and I eagerly anticipate the day when God establishes his kingdom on Earth. Every presidential election process makes me long for this day more, the current one more than all the others combined. Come, Lord Jesus!
Pastor Jon Barta
Burbank
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I’m reminded of an episode in our denominational conference where establishing a standard Bible translation was discussed. It was heated, as ministers have their favorites and they value their personal choice, so mandating someone else’s preference wasn’t especially welcome. Is it bad to establish standards? No, and there’s nothing that says anyone would have had to embrace that version for their own personal use. It would simply provide a common text for choral reading and reference when the divines are tracking together. Anyway, the idea was killed.
I’ve always believed that America should have officially made Christianity its religious standard, but that too was not done, and I think we’re suffering for it. Many perceive America to be a Christian nation because of our myriad churches and majority faith, but that’s changing because we only presumed a Christian ethic at our founding. Our creeds and declarations reference the biblical God, and there were no others in consideration. However, today’s religious diversity is overwhelming, and Christian sensibilities are being eclipsed by contrary philosophies. The day may come when morals we derive from Western Civilization’s most profound and influential rule book may yield to foreign and pagan ideologies. Why is it wrong to lie, cheat, steal or murder? Because the Bible (God) tells us so. Without that standard, anything’s possible, even a completely opposite morality. A standard national religion need not (and cannot) command faith in citizens, but it can standardize moral civil law under which all religious persuasions may thrive.
Today’s question asks whether Buddhism should be Thailand’s national religion. Perhaps it’s too late to suggest such a standard; perhaps not. Ninety-five percent of Thais practice Buddhism (highest anywhere) with the remainder being religiously theistic. While I wouldn’t vote favorably for godless religion to represent any people, Thailand overwhelmingly seems committed to this spiritual philosophy, and they already live accordingly. Establishing Buddhism as Thailand’s official faith, presupposing that doesn’t mean “obligatory faith,” would hardly change anything except to arrest change; it would safeguard Thailand’s culturally Buddhist entrenchment. Whether it’s right for them is going to be up to them, but I think it’ll be far more difficult for missionaries to reach them with the salvation of God, when the entire notion of a personal God conflicts not just with their religion, but also with their nationalism. Pray for their deliverance.
Rev. Bryan Griem
Tujunga
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One of the great evils of our times is the idea that one’s beliefs are closer to God than others’. To have a national religion would be tantamount to saying that that religion is greater than any other, just as in one’s country the national brand is the greatest brand. To paraphrase Patrick Henry, “I know not what path other countries may take but as for my country and myself, give us the liberty of choice or give us the death of free will!”
Rabbi Mark Sobel
Temple Beth Emet
Burbank
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I look around the globe at countries where the dominant religious belief is intertwined with their government and I do not see a pretty picture. Better that religion is a personal matter, and while I am all for people living their beliefs openly — I know that I strive to — to me a strictly secular government is preferable over institutionalizing one official national religion.
When Thailand was taken over by a military junta in May 2014, the former constitution which stated that the government must “patronize and protect Buddhism and other religions” was thrown out. The first attempt at a new constitution was rejected by the regime’s appointed legislature body as undemocratic and a new version is apparently coming out next month. (The dictators may want to watch their backs if they can’t control their own puppets.)
It is only because of some quick online research that I am willing to risk saying anything at all about Thailand. I recommend “Thai Nationalism and the Rise of Buddhist Extremism,” a posting by David Hutt in the Southeast Asia Globe, Feb. 11th, 2016. (The Globe is directed toward businesses needing to stay current with affairs in the region, and in my view capitalism’s need to make money no matter what comes politically tends to produce unvarnished and unbiased reporting.)
Thailand’s first military coup occurred in 1932 and since then there have been 12 more coups and 18 constitutions. They have endured one political crisis after another, along with being hit by the worldwide impact of globalization and technological change, as are we all. Some think that affirming Buddhism, the religion of at least 90% of the population, as a national religion will bring stability and fend off what is seen as the threat of a minority religion, Islam.
Witnessing these so-called followers of the Buddha’s way of acceptance, now being described as “extremists” and even “Buddhist terrorists,” I can say only “oy vey.” Nothing good can come of this for Thailand.
Roberta Medford
Atheist
Montrose
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