The Dalai Lama supports church-state separation

[cleanhippie]

America’s political leaders could learn a thing or two from the Dalai Lama.

During talks with lawmakers on Capitol Hill this week, the Tibetan Buddhist leader, who retired from politics in March, not only emphasized his support for church-state separation, but also had the integrity to admit that he himself has violated the concept. From the Washington Post:

Addressing his retirement, the Dalai Lama said he had come to see the “hypocrisy” of his advocating for the separation of church and state while claiming leadership in both realms. “Now I can tell people religious institutions and political institutions must be separate,” he said. “My statement is now honest.”

It’s important to remember that the Dalai Lama’s simple message – that “religious institutions, political institutions, must be separate” – was first put into practice here, in the United States, by our secular constitution. Sadly, because of recent antics by the Religious Right, a foreigner visiting the U.S. these days might not recognize the concept in practice.

--snip--

If our political leaders learn anything from the Dalai Lama’s visit this week, it should be that in a nation founded on church-state separation, lawmakers can’t act as both government officials and religious clerics.

They have to pick one or the other.

http://www.secularnewsdaily.com/2011/08/12/the-dalai-lama-supports-church-state-separation-2/

[humblebum]

1. The Dalai Lama has learned from experience about the value of Separation

of C & S. In Tibet and in China, the Chinese government has an extremely tight control upon religion and religious expression. Something that must always be defended against.

[cleanhippie]

2. Agreed. Now only if christians in THIS country could grasp the concept too!

THEN we might be on to something.

[Peregrine]

4. Before the chinese seizure

Tibet was a theocracy, and oppressed the religious minorities ofttimes brutally.

[humblebum]

5. So then nothing has really changed in Tibet, but only reversed.

Buddhism is now severely restricted. Teaching religion to children in the home is now illegal and the benefits of atheism are taught in the schools.

[Adsos Letter]

3. K&R for the Dalai Lama.