result #114300 - MONKS MARCH IN THAILAND DEMANDING BUDDHISM BE MADE THE NATIONAL RELIGION?

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result #114300 - MONKS MARCH IN THAILAND DEMANDING BUDDHISM BE MADE THE NATIONAL RELIGION?

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MONKS MARCH IN THAILAND DEMANDING BUDDHISM BE MADE THE NATIONAL RELIGION?

[+] serious ballot by xxxxxxxx
ACTIVE Apr 25,2007 - Thu Apr 24, 08

"Hundreds of Thai monks have led nine elephants in a march on parliament calling for Buddhism to be enshrined as the country's official religion.
They were joined by more than 1,000 supporters who also want Buddhism to be declared the national religion in the new post-coup constitution.

The leaders behind last September's coup have indicated they may be willing to bow to the monks' demands.

Critics fear it could inflame tensions in the Muslim-majority deep south.

In the south a three-year Islamic insurgency - in a country where 95% of the population are Buddhist - has killed more than 2,000 people.

Constitution 'review'

Correspondents described a colourful procession as monks dressed in saffron-robes walked alongside the nine elephants 30km (18 miles) from Bangkok's western suburbs to parliament.

Police had asked the protesters not to bring the elephants for fear the scorching heat would make them difficult to control, but they relented as the march continued into the city.

"Our only demand is to have the clause 'Buddhism is Thailand's national religion' included in the new constitution. It's the opinion of the majority of Thais," protest spokesman Tongkhao Phuangrodpang told the AFP news agency.

Coup leader and army commander General Sonthi Boonyaratglin said he expected the committee drafting the constitution to "review its decision on this issue".

"If a stipulation in the charter to this effect leads to peace in the country, then it is better that it is included," he was quoted by the Bangkok Post as saying.

"Those who say there is no need for such a stipulation don't take the issue that seriously."

He recommended adding a clause, saying the government will "take care of other religions, including Christianity and Islam".

A draft of the new constitution, released last week, keeps the same wording as previous constitutions - that the state will protect all faiths, with no mention of Buddhism as the national religion."

(Source: BBC)

- Do you think Buddhism should be made the national religion of Thailand in the new Thai constitution?

Yes	3
No	3
Comment	2

Ballot #114300: has 8 total votes.
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COMMENTS:
Voted : No
Religion and state should remain separate in Thailand.

The monks did raise an interesting point that democratically, the idea of making Buddhism the 'national religion' would probably be very popular. However, individual rights should overtake the importance of majority rule.

I am nonetheless impressed on the other hand that this Buddhist march was non-violent.

Overall, however, no religion should be a state religion. Secularism ensures that all individuals are treated equally. Making Buddhism the official national religion lowers the status of non-Buddhists (especially the Islamic south of Thailand), as well as those any Buddhists that would want to convert out of their religion.

Really, though, pressures for this most-likely stem from an impatience from the Thai community of the Islamic extremist terrorism that continues to threaten Thailand to this very day. While I will admit that, yes, the Islamic terrorism and jihad that constantly shakes Thailand is very concerning, making Buddhism the national religion is an over-reaction.

by xxxxxxxx on Wed Apr 25, 07 10:15am [+]

I just want to add, that these Buddhist institutions have evidently dramatically missed the message in Gautama Buddha's teachings if they feel such a strong DESIRE (hello?) to make Buddhism have the power and authority (hello!) of 'national religion' in the constitution.

by xxxxxxxx on Wed Apr 25, 07 10:18am [+]

Voted : Comment
Yet another sign that the apocalypse is upon us: Pacifist Buddhist monks "demanding" things. Where is Buddha or Ghandi when we need 'em?

by margaret123 on Wed Apr 25, 07 10:20pm [+]

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