Political Buddhism

Buddhism has emerged as an alternative worship that is poised to be a cultural, spiritual, and semi semipolitical core. Lewis (2008) stated, ?As for universe a political force, in that respect ar muted too few Buddhisticicicics in the States to stop the flood of innateism and the unforesightful national and state policies. However, at that place was a pare Buddhist Congressman, Mr. Bob Matsui from capital of California who died in 2005. In 2007, the hundred-and-tenth U.S. Congress acquired two newfound Buddhist Representatives, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii and Hank Johnson of atomic number 31?(para.11). Moreover, m some(prenominal)(prenominal) well-regarded organizations much(prenominal) as the Buddhist Peace Fellowship stick step up engaged in decease penalty reform. Religion plays a pivotal part in election year politics. populist and republican candidates try to break down the mantle of religion to legalize themselves to Christian conservatives. Both parties describe a grab for the fundamental and ever-increasing pluralized Christian votes with less momentous constituencies such(prenominal) as Buddhists left out of the dispute. According to Richard convert (1997), it is no accident, to suppose, that less than 5% of every(prenominal) non-Asian Buddhists in the get in concert States are registered Republicans. It is non because there is anything congenital to Buddhist doctrines as such that would oppose liberal or even ultra-liberal (or, as the Statesns retrieve them, conservative and ultra-conservative) political value. subsequently all, Buddhists and Republicans both(prenominal) lean to oppose any but the most minimalist government. Moreover, both love elephants (para. 2). historically speaking, Buddhism has tended to maintain conservative circumstance quo regimes in Asia, going all the way back to India. Richard convert (1997) stated, ?the curtilage for European and Afro-American Buddhist disinclination to set up the Republican fellowship is that in the fall in States the Republican Party has tie in itself with patriotism, conservative Christian (and especially Protestant) honourable values, and the interest groups of corporate business. state who upgrade such mainstream American values are non the ones who tend to decrease out in confused shipway (such as by becoming marginalized academics who teach arcane subjects such as Sanskrit grammar and chivalric Indian philosophy)?. Richard Hayes (1997) tho stated, ?that non-Asian Buddhist converts in the United States tend to be signally extremely educated people, academics, homos, political radicals, former drug users, playing artists and different people who develop very little genuine invite or political or economic agency (and very little interest in having real power)? (para. 3). Republicans charge these like individuals for most of family ills. One blogger stated, ?It is certain Christian Americans who force factious issues, such as school toasts to theology or homo sexual union bans, into the political debates. All Americans adjudge to disseminate with the consequences. It is interesting, and then, to observe how American Buddhist organizations publicly contradict to such issues? (Tricycleblog, 2004). In 1954, the drink of subjection as a non-religious imprecation was theocized and declared unconstitutional in 2002. The Buddhist throw away been lacking on delay for the current pledge. In fact, 23 Buddhist supported an amicus shortened that supported the 2002 unconstitutionality of the pledge of devotion (Tricycleblog, 2004). Buddhism does not establish oaths to idol because that would be anti-Buddhist. As for gay labor union, Buddhist involve been quieter on this subject.

Homosexuality is not to be pass or condemned fit to Buddhism because the issue is not drop off in their beliefs. Nevertheless the attend?s association of the Buddhist Churches of America made the next statement: Whereas there is no nix judgment of oddity in the Buddhist religion; whereas a number of BCA ministers have been performing same-sex weddings for a point of at least thirty years; whereas we wish to bear the morality of all persons, autarkical of sexual orientation: right away therefore be it resolved, that the Ministers Association of the Buddhist Churches of America opposes any governmental prohibition of same-sex marriage (Tricycleblog, 2004). Though the issue of the pledge of allegiance or crotchet may seem divisive when use by the Christian right they still are American issues. Because there is a lack of support by Buddhist for the pledge of allegiance and a lack electrical resistance to homosexual relationships can it authentically be said the American Buddhist are very for America. ReferencesHayes, R. (1997). Buddhism and politics. Retrieved February 15, 2009 from http://ireland.iol.ie/~mazzoldi/toolsforchange/buddhist/politics.htmlLewis, G.R. (2008). Buddhism in America. Retrieved February 15, 2009 fromhttp://buddhistfaith.tripod.com/pureland_sangha/id65.htmlTricycleblog. (2004). American Buddhists Speak Out on the Pledge of Allegiance and crotchety Marriage. February 15, 2009 from http://tricycleblog.blogspot.com/2004/09/american-buddhists-speak-out-on-pledge.html If you want to get a full essay, society it on our website: Ordercustompaper.com

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